Says the OWH:
Boyle contends that Lakers "fabricated" donors on his financial reports and she says he risks "disgracing" the entire party.
Boyle sent a letter Wednesday to about a dozen party leaders, saying they should work together to get Lakers out of the race against Republican Gov. Dave Heineman. She said in the letter that Lakers lacks the "integrity" to serve as governor.
"Public silence is tacit approval of Lakers and his continued deceit," said Boyle, a former chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
Well then.
All we would add is that when we looked at the false "pledges" Lakers had listed on his report, we sort of gave a pass on Nebraska "Democrat" attorney Dave Domina's "pledge", figuring it was probably good.
Nope.
Again, according to the OWH:
Domina, an Independent, says he never made a promise or had a conversation with Lakers about campaign donations.
Huh... (not smirking...not smirking..)
Posts
130 comments:
I love that Lakers continues to claim only "a few errors."
What will the response be when the campaign has to pull hundreds of thousands of dollars of false pledges from the report? For those keeping score, that's slightly more than a few.
Apparently, the Boyles have decided there's no likelihood of a Lakers administration, which means none of the loot like they received from a certain past Dem. Guv (who's now a US Senator). So, why not trash Lakers? I'm not saying it's not justified, I'm just laughing out loud at the new-found concern she has for clean politics.
Is White standing behind Lakers--or is he getting the knife out?
Come on, Tom. If you don't want to say how you'd vote on HR 4213, maybe you'll talk to the press about this one...
Who's Mark Lakers?
Anne Boyle must know more about Lakers!!!!
I heard about Boyle's comment from a friend and immediately went to New Nebraska Network to read about it and hear their take. But there's nothing there on the issue. I thought they were supposed to cover Democratic politics.
3:34--a few years ago that was true. But since 07, all they do at NNN is trash and attack Republicans. They ignore real stories such as the unfolding Lakers' scandal.
Anne Boyle has a lot of room to talk. She lost a council seat in a heavily populated Democratic district and her nasty campaign tactics by her henchmen could have been "disavowed" once implemented, but she seemed to enjoy the ride. Wasn't it her hubbie Mike that wanted to throw his hat into the governor's race and then went shy?
As for "Grande Dame"? More like yesterday's news on day old bread.
Why don't the Boyles fade away as something old and over? Perhaps they have and are the last to know.
Lakers never met a Monsanto he didn't love. He's going to be a very hard sell in rural Nebraska. If the NDP's metro leaders, like Boyle, are turning their backs on him, the guy is toast.
Vile tweeted that this is a "Democratic Disaster". What's Montana think? lol
what does vile kyle do for a living? he certainly doesn't just have that blog.
He owns a company that manufactures sleaze...
Ouch. Not sure why Boyle is calling him to be replaced, though. Replaced with whom? Lakers went on a political suicide mission for reasons only he knows. Good luck talking anyone else into running.
I went back and read the OWH article. I'm mistaken. Ms. Boyle didn't call for him to be replaced.
The only way that Lakers bowing out would help the Democrats in 2012 is if the Republicans take over everything in November and do as bad a job as the Democrats.
If anyone on here is fluent in Nebraska law (and I'm not talking to you, anonymous), is it even possible under a party to enter a race after a partisan primary here?
Or is the Democratic party SOL with this race?
they could nominate at their convention, if Lakers gets out.
She's totally right. Its not like he ever had any chance of winning. Now all he's going to do is damage the Democratic brand in Nebraska even more than it is already.
There is a Democratic Brand? Never knew that.
This never was a race...Heineman is a lock. The Dems are throwing Lakers...and they should...under the bus to make it look like they have a conscience. Just a tactic to save face and hang on to what little credibility they have left in Nebraska.
I am awaiting BTO's and Kleebs take on this one. As well as Tom Whites... But I won't hold my breath for that last one...
Anyone know when the campaign will be submitting their "Amendment" to their A & D report?
Would be interesting to see how many (and how much) "errors" have to be corrected.
Ian White is behind this because they don't want Lakers to have any of the spotlight.
Remember, Russell ran Anne's loser city council campaign...
A. Boyle is the ONLY democratic constitutional officer in state government....and she is calling on the nominee for her party to withdraw from the highest state office. That has to say something about how bad this situation is.
Ian Russell ran Boyle's campaign?
That explains the high degree of negativity and mud slinging. Wasn't Crounse from D.C. also involved if I remember right?
I like the title. I see what you did there...
And screw Boston and the Celtics I say!
Where is Ben Nelson? He was the first to endorse Lakers. A little brainpower and one might conclude that Lakers is Nelson's way of roughing up Heineman before 2012. So where is Ben on Lakers today?
And kudos to SS for the clever post headline.
Nick,
My take is that there are several "Democrats" that should just go away and never darken the door of the NDP again. Many would say that I am one of them. The difference between those I would like to see leave and myself is that I have always upheld the authority of "the people," and they have always upheld the authority of "our elected officials."
I just don't understand what is so difficult for some people to understand - that politics should serve the people, not the other way around. When our elected representatives have the power to dictate what can, and cannot, be done within our political parties, despite what has been decided by the legally elected representatives of our state conventions, then there exists a toxic disconnect that is in dire need of reformation.
I believe every candidate should stand on their own two feet, state clearly what they believe, promise only what they can deliver, and always tell the truth. When they present themselves in public, they are representing only themselves and their own opinions. However, once they seek the support of their political party, it is my opinion that they should support the platform of the party and respect the ideals and principles of the party.
It should be the right of every adherent to any political party to publicly redress those candidates that run under their banner but don't stand for the principles that are the foundation of the party. Anne Boyle is perfectly within her rights to say what she has. I have been perfectly within my rights to excoriate Sen. Ben Nelson for what I consider to be torts against my party. Any other Democrat should be able to criticize any candidate that they disagree with without fearing "excommunication" from their party.
Prediction: Rahm Emanuel will offer Lakers a position in the Obama administration or promise to appoint him to an important federal panel so that Lakers ceases his bid for governor, thus clearing the field for another Dem to be nominated at their convention. EBN might serve as the go-between, so the WH can deny any direct involvement.
Sour grapes from Ann Boyle in attempt to get the NE Dems to turn to Mikey without necessity of doing the primary thing. It won't have any impact on general election as Heineman will crush whoever the Dems put up. Where's Scott Kleeb???
Oh please, please please, for the love of all that is politically holy, let there be a floor fight for a new nominee for Governor.
I am moist with anticipation if this comes to pass.
The infighting, backstabbing and outright contempt within that party will be on full display.
I hope Christmas comes early...
Heineman should save his money for 2012. I'd let the newspapers take care of most of the publicity and put out a couple of radio ads in the week before the election. Maybe 4 billboards along I-80. One in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, North Platte. Add one each in Scottsbluff and Norfolk and he's done!
1) I don't think the PSC is a Constitutional office.
2) If they put Mike in at their convention, that will be the same route that Anne took when she ran for City Council against Shelley Kiel and Lee Terry in 1991.
I am sure the outcome will be just as successful for Mike as it was for Anne.
TW, take note, Lee Terry was a 20 somethin', unmarried, struggling new lawyer when he cleaned the clock of the Grande Dame of the Nebraska Democrats. She conceded the race within the first hour of the 8 o'clock numbers.
Don't say you haven't been warned.
What a beautiful Friday morning outside!
How's everything at the Lakers HQ today?
Just been over to NNN. I must say, Kyle made probably one of the most honest posts I've ever seen him write. Although trying to spin this in some positive light for Lakers and the Dems would be pretty hard to do and would make him look like a foolish partisan. Of that is what he is, but he must be trying to salvage whatever crediblity he has left.
Jean--somehow, 'honest post' and Kyle in the same sentence doesn't really work...
Wonder if Vic Covalt is gonna give Jim Rogers a bonus for his candidate recruitment--or, at least make a 'pledge' to do so ala M. Lakers.
Oh, if only there was an easy way of searching the archives. I can remember some smack coming from the dems who post here bragging how much fundraising Lakers was doing. Funny how that all turned out.
Actually this is all pretty sad. While I don't see eye to eye with some of the views held by Liberals, I also believe the majority of them are good people. The Political process is injured by bad actors regardless of party.
I do support the Gov, and am glad he won't have to spend too much money on the campaign.
Just Sad.
This was posted on Lakers' facebook page on April 13:
"Mark Lakers for Governor The campaign has raised more than $46,000 since January and just over $314,000 overall."
A couple of clarifications.
1. The Public Service Commission is a constitutional office. Article IV-20 of the Nebraska Constitution makes it so.
2. Lakers can decline the nomination before September 1. If he does, then the following statute is applicable:
"If a vacancy on the ballot arises for Governor, the vacancy shall be filled by the majority vote of the proper committee of the same political party, and the candidate for Governor shall select a person of the same political party to be the candidate for Lieutenant Governor on the general election ballot." 32-627 Subsection 2 of the same statute gives a bit more detail on how the political party can nominate a replacement, but you get the idea.
Thanks for the info. I am really surprised that the PSC is a Constitutional office. I wonder who did the over sight of planes, trains and automobile, uh, and cell phone towers, before the legislature decided to pay a bunch of people upwards of $70,000 a year to do so?
BoldNebraska, on NNN, is trying to deflect attention from Lakers with some coy 'Adrian Smith is gay' slurs.
I've wiped stuff off my shoe that was less contemptible than these people.
RWP--come one, you know that's how Kyle, Hannah, Kleeb work--when you can't beat them on the policy, just manufacture sleaze. That's how they operate 100%.
Let's take an inventory of the current status of things for Dems:
1. Wreak havoc in the Democratic Party---check
2. Get Democrats fighting with each other in public---check
3. Get Democrats to implode---check
4. Take out Democratic Candidate for Governor---check
5. Turn all of our guns on Tom White---batter up!
Keep up the Good Work! We are well on our way to 50 years or more of GOP domination in NE
Sincerely,
Karl Rove
How are things at the Lakers HQ this fine afternoon?
Hope all is well!
Speaking of White, is he on vacation out of state somewhere? Boca, perhaps?
Personally, I hope Mark L. stands his ground--no one can push him off of the ticket. He is entitled to offer a defense--if it takes a month or so to let the issue settle, then so be it!
Maybe Mike Boyle would have been a better candidate.
No reason for Mark to take any drastic action. If there is an indictment, then he can address the situation later this summer or fall. There are many weeks to go before the election.
Job Security
Since the topic is related to Mark's job security as Gov. nominee, how about this:
The new employment figures released today show that of the 431,000 new jobs created, fully 412,000 were from temporary hires at the Census Bureau.
96% of the new jobs created were gov't.
Chatter all over the place about Lakers--a friend told me the phone lines are burning up from Democratic candidates who want him off the ticket now.
Mike Boyle had to move to a Dem District, that never elected a Republican anything,in order to get elected to the County Board. If that is the best the Dems can put up for Governor, have at it! Boyle is as pompous now as he was before being the second Mayor to be recalled in the US. Second only to Dennis Kucinich!
Of course Jane Kleeb pushing a story on NNN about Rep. Smith's stance on DADT, is nothing but a sly way of inferring that perhaps the congressman is gay. She was probably instructed to do this by her Beltway handlers while she was in D.C. this week.
Lakers, being a corporate shill, will be defended in whatever way "Bold Nebraska" can, since they are both managed by the same mysterious cabal. More Monsanto, anyone?
Listen to Vile
"I'm afraid NNN is becoming too shrill and hypocritical."
Vile Kyle tweet
2:26--that's understandable--Dem. candidates running for the tall grass. But Lakers' hasn't been indicted yet--there's no reason to throw in the towel unless that happens. He should hang tough!
I doubt anyone with any real political sense did the Smith smear. There's no point to it, given that Adrian has no credible opposition in November. It's just gratuitous nastiness, probably because it's been a pretty frustrating 6 months to be a Nebraska Dem..
On the other hand, I don't recall Jane Kleeb ever showing any particular political acumen.
That Bold Nebraska post about Smith is ugly.
There's no reason for Heineman to save his money. He can't run for reelection after this year and the money, from my understanding, isn't transferable to 2012.
Thank you Brian T. Osborn for your comments yesterday. I have empathy for your position. Sometimes one must stand alone to do what is right. Your comments are of much greater value than all those routinely found here denigrating Democrats. And I don't support Democratic nor Progressive public policies!
To Right Wing Professor: I checked NNN and found no "gay slurs" against Adrian Smith. I knew him when he was a State Senator and can tell some stories on him more entertaining than gayness. Does it not bother you in the least that he's a corporate shill? If corporations in Nebraska and the U.S.A. couldn't hire legislators such as Smith, your tax burden could be reduced.
Texas Annie,
You are more than welcome! As this story unfolds I am finding myself more and more at odds with "my" party, or at least with its administration. I just read the NDP's response to this controversy on its blog. Essentially, they are saying, "Yeah, what was done was contrary to the rules. But those rules SUCK!" Then they proceed to throw Anne Boyle under the bus.
Missy Wigley, the Communications Director of the NDP, wrote, "We must all find common ground that the provision requiring candidates to report pledges is downright stupid. Most seasoned politicians ignore that insane provision. --- It is rarely enforced and if it were, the people enforcing that provision would be in an absurd position."
REALLY!!!!!???
This is exactly the kind of thing that made me become infuriated with the NDP's past administration - an utter disregard for the rules. If the law states that we must comport ourselves in a certain manner, then that is exactly what we should be doing.
Under Steve Achelpohl's regime, the Executive Director, Barry Rubin, was allowed to write checks with his sole signature for over $10,000, despite the fact that our Constitution and Bylaws prohibited the E.D. from signing any checks. Only the Treasurer and one of the top five officers could do that. Anything over $500 required two signatures, that of the Treasurer and one of those officers. Rubin signed them indiscriminately and without any oversight. Despite a vote by the NDP State Central Committee to have a COMPLETE audit of the NDP books done, none has ever been carried out, not even under Vic Covalt's term. It was all swept under the rug, as, apparently, this current mess will be.
The Nebraska Democratic Party is in shambles. That isn't something that I say with glee, it is merely a statement of fact. Some NDP officers will claim that I am now "persona non grata" within the party, for daring to demand excellence from an organization that I genuinely wish that I could wholeheartedly support. But, given some of the shenanigans that have taken place, and the complacency by the rank-and-file that has permitted it to occur, I have decided to distance myself from the NDP until such time as it is able to carry out the urgently needed reforms that are required.
Some might ask why I even care. My answer is that government is supposed to be by, of, and for the people. What I have seen after four years of active participation in the political process is that it is by, of, and for the needs of corporations. Whether it is the health insurance concerns that own Sen. Nelson, or the Club for Growth that owns Rep. Smith, the average Nebraskan hasn't a chance to have his or her opinions influence the way our laws are fabricated. I contribute the fault of this to ALL of us, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party loon, or whatever ... we are failing to do our jobs as citizens.
continues ....
continued ...
When you get right down to it, the way our democracy is SUPPOSED to work is "Government 'R' Us." A thriving democracy depends on more than our voters merely making a mark on a ballot. It depends on our being informed, on debating issues, on demanding honest answers from our representatives, not settling for mass produced photocopies of a bunch of blather sent out by disenchanted office staff.
What I have found is layer upon layer of obfuscation, smoke and mirrors. The post prior to this one has video of Sen. Nelson blathering something that he must believe is an answer sufficient to fool the people in his audience about the "Cornhusker Kickback." What is really sad is that they swallow it hook, line and sinker. I can't tell you how many NDP functions I've been to, and when Sen. Nelson walks in the room, the sheeple pee their pants in glee, just overwhelmed that they are in his almighty presence. I imagine the same thing happens with Sen. Johanns at Republican meetings. I've never been big on personality cults and have always had a healthy skepticism concerning "authority." I guess that explains why I'm not on Ben's BFF list.
So ... where do I stand on the issue of these pledges that were apparently made up out of whole cloth? I think it was a wrong thing to do, perhaps done by some overzealous staffer, perhaps influenced by the overdose of endorphins that a sudden dive into the public spotlight can produce. But wrong, none the less. I am going to wait a bit longer to see how the NDP will handle this. What I have seen so far is, to put it mildly, discouraging.
Here's an idea for Brian T. Osborn...start your own blog!! Then you can see how many people visit your page everyday and how many people, I'm talking an actual quantifiable number, really give a damn about what you have to say. I predict the people who visit your site will be right around zero, and I bet deep down inside you know I'm right.
Anonymous 12:08,
I will do that right after I read YOURS, ya stupid putz! I looked and I couldn't find "Nowhere Street - the anonymous talk of Nebraska politics - not with Google, not with Yahoo, not with Bing ... It's funny that Sweeper has no problem with the stuff I post here. He's actually emailed me encouraging my input; but some coward like you wants to be the chief censor of a blog that he/she/it doesn't own. You have a problem with my posts here? Take it up with Sweeper.
If you don't like what I write, don't freakin' read it. How difficult can that be? Go read NNN. I don't post over there anymore and there has been a HUGE decline in the number of comments since I left. THAT should tell you something.
I'm going to assume that you are either one of those targeted by my barbs, or you work for them. Either way, so long as you remain nameless, you also remain insignificant.
Now they've rolled out Regent Chuck H. to knife Lakers in the back! What Dem official is next?
It is supposed to clear up this afternoon and be a fairly nice day! Hope all is well at the Lakers HQ!
8 comments so far!
Unbelievable!!! There are EIGHT individual comments posted at NNN on Vile's rant about the Lakers scandal. Must be a new record of feedback there!
Couple of posters say Lakers will hurt all of the Dems on that ticket--others attack Ann and Mike Boyle.
Maybe the best thing is let this fight continue for a while and sort itself out.
One poster accuses Mike Boyle of violating campaign finance laws--is there anything there?
Brian Osborn - "Sweeper emailed me and encouraged me..." what does that tell you when you believe yourself to be a Democratic Party activist and Republican leaders are telling you to keep doing what you're doing? Most people like Jeff Fortenberry, Mike Johanns, and Jon Bruning sell out the Democratic party in the face of big money and big power, BTO continues to sell out the Democratic party because Sweeper emails him and strokes his ego.
Seriously Brian, if you believe in any progressive principles at all, just give up politics altogether.
I have to disagree with 10:59.
I'm glad BTO continues to post here--pls keep it up.
Pretty clear diff between LS and NNN. This site encourages diverse opinion and has dozens of comments on threads. NNN--opposite, plus one poster just said the comments there are 'meaningless and fruitless'.
To Right Wing Professor: I checked NNN and found no "gay slurs" against Adrian Smith.
Really? You looked at the last Bold Nebraska diary and saw nothing? Amazing.
Does it not bother you in the least that he's a corporate shill?
No. But then I don't think in cliches. Do you have some specific issue with Smith, beyond the equivalent of 'he's a poopyhead'?
A 10:59 AM,
Sweeper doesn't "stroke" my ego. He allows me to speak my mind freely. I admit I do find it intriguing that a "Republican" blog allows me more freedom than the "Democratic" ones do. Don't you find that an interesting anomaly?
Most Democrats believe the NDP allows them to freely express themselves; but, please explain the shackles of censorship slapped on the NDP blog once Democrats actually started to voice opinions that rejected Ben Nelson's dogmas. What was originally offered as a forum for the sacred "grass roots rank and file" to be active participants in their party, has become a mere outlet for propaganda, cut-and-paste journalism, and dogma distribution.
If you believe that my insistence on having the NDP genuinely live by the precepts that it espouses is "selling out" then you need to go back to school, because you never learned a damned thing while you were there.
You must be one of Nelson's butt kissers because what you suggest - that my voice of dissent pack up and "leave politics altogether" - is exactly what the other Ben's buttocks lovers keep telling me. The problem is, every time one of you bozos does that, it just makes my will to grind you down even stronger. That you think Nelson, and his ilk, have ANYTHING to do with progressive principles is laughable.
"Ben's buttock lovers" Now there's a pretty picture. Thanks BTO. There went lunch.
I thought the best part of the article this AM reporting Hasselbrook's shunning of Lakers was when it said:
...his request has nothing to do with the fact he and Lakers were on opposite sides of a constitutional ban on corporate farming. Hasselbrook led the effort to pass the ban, while Lakers helped lead the effort to repeal it.
Oh sure. Nothing at all to do with it at all. Interesting to see how much room is left to jump on that high flying "integrity" wagon of virtue.
Would that somebody just lance the Boyles already. They're like lava lamps burning dim the fourth time recycled.
Brian, you've been on a 4 year crusade because of a couple hundred dollars that Barry Rubin may have overspent at Lazlo's in 2006. Now you're trying to attack Vic Covalt for no other reason than he's told you to calm down, be cool, and know your role.
You're not the Nebraska Democrats "dissenter" or "reformer" or "whistleblower."
You're just the resident weirdo. No more, no less.
Your behavior has nothing to do with pushing a progressive agenda and everything to do with your mental health issues you should really seek help for.
That's not exactly fair to label someone as having "mental health issues" just because what they say may be truth.
Sooooooo, A 3:24,
For the record, Barry Rubin spent MUCH more than just a "couple hundred dollars" pampering himself on the NDP's dime. Achelpohl's going away "bonus" alone was worth nearly $15,000, none of it ever approved by the NDP State Central Committee, as called for in the NDP-C&B.
But what really gets my goat isn't the fact that some corrupt assholes used the NDP as the source of their own entertainment funds, it is the TOTAL disregard of the rules that our party is expected to be run by. The State Convention is comprised of legally elected delegates that have the authority to dictate exactly how the party is to be run. I have witnessed, time and again, those rules ignored just because they served the personal needs of someone "in charge."
As for Vic Covalt telling me to "know your role," just what, exactly, would that "role" be according to you, ya two-bit, dime-store psychology major dropout? You obviously have some issues of your own that need working on. You come on here ashamed of the name your mommy gave you, yet you want everyone to believe you have some kind of insight into others' mental health status. Evidently that job at HHS didn't pan out for you did it? You're beyond help, so don't waste taxpayer money seeking any.
You are right about one thing: I am not the Nebraska Democrats "dissenter" or "reformer" or "whistleblower." I'm just one Democrat that expects my party to uphold the highest standards. The fact that you have a problem with that indicates that you are one of those bottom feeders that love the status quo and abhor everyone that would want to change it. Evidently you have something to gain from keeping things running the way they have been. How much slop from the trough wound up in YOUR gullet?
A 4:02,
The last time someone tried to "remove" me from the NDP, it was Kyle Michaelis. How did that work out for him? At the following State Convention, I got elected to a position that put me on the NDP-SEC and Kyle was off of it.
The likelihood, and even the possibility, of the NDP being able to "remove" anyone is so remote as to be ridiculous. To remove a state officer, the rules require a petition of 25% of the SCC members (1/3rd from each CD), can only be done in the case of a violation of the C&B and/or conviction of a felonious crime. The accused then gets to have a kangaroo court, ahem, hearing before the SCC before anything can be done. You got the votes, Anonymouse? Then go for it.
Although there is some mention of the SEC or SCC removing a county officer, there is no rule governing how it should be done. I DARE anyone to test the legality of the state party to interfere in the governance of a county party, since county chairs are elected according to state statute, while the state party officers are not. It would be a very interesting, and groundbreaking, trial.
I rarely wear hats, and I'm not a rancher, but we all know you're full of bovine byproduct.
Does the legislature, no wait how about the Auditor have the authority to go and get an audi to of the NDP books? Maybe Jack Gould from Common Cause will Demand it? Would be interesting to see if there is any "Transparency" courage in him.
Anyway, to get back on topic, after having to defend myself from the poop throwing monkey ...
I don't believe there is a process built into the NDP Constitution that would allow for the party to distance itself from a candidate that has already surpassed the primary election process. It appears the only way to remove Mark Lakers from the ballot at this point, is for him to voluntarily step down. I suppose if enough of the NDP officers put pressure on him, and he thought it the proper thing to do, then he might. Or he might decide to stick around and see what happens.
The ball is definitely in Mark Lakers' court.
Audit,
I filed a grievance with the Nebraska State Attorney General's office exactly because the NDP-SCC voted to have a full audit performed and the NDP administration at the time (Chairman Achelpohl, Executive Director Connealy, and Treasurer Finnegan) refused to comply. In my opinion, AG Bruning failed to properly carry out the duties of his office.
I expected the situation to be resolved by the election of new officers in the NDP. It wasn't. A committee was formed, but never convened, and the committee chair presented an elaborate sweeping of all the facts under the rug.
I doubt the statute of limitations has expired, and AG Bruning can still comply with my request. I encourage him to do so.
And, today in the Lincoln Urinal Star, in a newsy-ish article (as opposed to one of those opinion pieces -- although, with this particular writer, it's difficult to see the difference) the inimitable Don Walton (you were guessing someone else?) presses Mark Lakers to come clean with his side of the story.
Among the lowlights:
-- Lakers accepts full responsibility for this, so he can't understand why Anne Boyle has her panties in such a bunch.
-- He's determined to push through this issue and go on with a campaign that "holds the Heineman administration accountable" whatever that means.
-- Yeah, there were a few mistakes. I'm new at this. It's to be expected.
-- It was just a rule interpretation. We actually did more than what was required of us in terms of reporting and that's what got us in trouble -- going the extra mile.
-- "The furor 'has taken some toll' in terms of the campaign" but it's a mere flesh wound.
-- The issue at times has "felt like an organized political attack" by the Heineman compaign. (How's that for accepting "full responsibility"?)
-- This is all just a diversion to draw attention away from the real problems, which are that the Heineman administration has Nebraska on the road to becoming the next Greece.
So, I guess that answers pretty much everything. Thanks, Don Walton, for that totally unbiased, non-agenda-driven, completely newsy-ish piece that clearly puts this entire issue to bed. The Lakers campaign thanks you very much for all your efforts at trying to save his sinking ship.
Lakers ain't gonna get far with Nebraska's farmers. His hate for initiative 300 and his love for Monsato will damn him faster than spittin' on a photo of Bob Devaney.
To Right Wing Professor:
I checked NNN, again, and saw no "gay slurs" against Adrian Smith. So in response to your inquiry at 12:15, YES, REALLY!
When checking again though, I noticed and did click on the 'Diaries' for the first time ever, wherein I found something entitled "Adrian Smith, One Foot in the Closet," which I assume is the comment you found offensive. I have never read NNN so thoroughly. I do not find those comments to be what I would consider "gay slurs;" they are merely the typical barb-throwing and party-posturing between Republicans and Democrats which takes place every day on both the NNN and Leavenworth Street blogs.
What is a poopyhead?
I don't think in cliches either. I think in verifiable facts. And I know for a fact that when Adrian Smith, in concert with a majority of his unicameral colleagues, was charged with the constitutional duty specified in Art. VII, Sec. 1 of the Neb. Const., he willfully and intentionally violated that duty. (I'm referring to those Nebraska schoolchildren who were denied access to a public education when the Dept. of H&HS relocated them out of their usual school districts!) Further, I know this fact about Smith: When confronted individually about his unmet duty, he advised me to go to church... Is that what you mean by "poopyhead?"
Republicans of Nebraska are laughable in their belief that they are any differenct than Nebraska Democrats. In matters of corporate welfare, tax equity and social jusice, it's always just the pot calling the kettle black. Somehow I thought you shared this opinion, if only just a little. Are you, yourself, a corporate shill?
Annie,
I can understand if you're that naive. Jane Kleeb certainly isn't.
Everyone, look at how eager Brian Osborn is to sell out the Democratic party to Attorney General Bruning just to be a footnote in a newspaper article like he was on that G.I. television station when he and Lisa Hannah resigned.
Brian, do you really think Bruning is going to go out on a limb and become the only person in Nebraska politics that takes you seriously? Don't think so. If you have evidence of impropriety maybe you could write about it ON YOUR OWN BLOG that no one will ever read.
Anon 1:33, Your constant attacks on BTO do a lot more to demonstrate your own "mental health issues" than any you'd like to pin on him. The fact that you hide behind that anonymous tag make your attacks even more suspect. Take some of your own advice and start a blog for anonymous spineless mud slinging mental cases like yourself. It's quite obvious that you are seeking attention for your own ego trip at BTO's expense. Brian's problems with the NDP seem to boil down to his own views on right and wrong. Your attacks amount to nothing more than a personal grudge.
If the worst problem the NDP had was BTO's willingness to point out some of it's flaws they'd be doing much better than they are right now. The biggest problem is narrow minded morons like you, who refuse to see that problems exist, and work to destroy anyone who is willing to point out some of the real problems.
So, do the NDP and yourself a service. Get out of politics. Seek some help for your "mental health issues." Try to get a grip on reality and get passed that denial stage you're in. The NDP has real problems. You're one of them.
Anyone at the Lakers HQ this Sunday? How's it going there...
lol
The folks that should be at the office this Sunday are the NDP staff. Fat chance though. Rogers, Covalt are heavy into the scandal and owe it to party members to develop a Plan B. Fat chance, again.
The other option for Lakers is to ask the U.S. Attorney to step in and investigate. They'd have jurisdiction since this involves fraud using the internet, mail and telephone. ML can make the request himself but so can others. Time to clear the air-- if people don't trust Bruning, then let an Obama appointee weigh in from the Justice Department.
Gotta say that it is interesting some of the DDs (Doofus Democrats) come over here to attack BTO and one another. Why don't they keep it at Neg Nebr Net--
Mr. Hassebrook is not and never will be a spokesperson for Nebraska Agriculture and Democrats. His remarks about Mark Lakers are off base, and all he's doing is trying to build his own forces to run for Gov. Remember he wanted to do that before, and it didn't pan out, why, agriculture didn't supoort him them and doesn't support him now.
Mark Lakers has a much clearer view of what agriculture in this state needs to be. There is more to feeding people thatn KFKF, there's room for everyone willing to produce ag products to feed mainstreet and the world.
Everyone is always asking where is Mark Lakers?
What I want to know is where is Tom White. He has been running for Congress for well over a year now (yes, I know when his filing was, but you gotta follow the money to see for yourself when he started) and we have yet to know why he fought the rest of the Legislature so hard on reducing spending during his short career in local politics?
The only thing we do know is that Pelosi has given him $cash$, Van Hollen has given him $cash$, and right after he got their cash, he announced that he would have voted for that crap ass health care bill to prove his support for their agenda.
BTW, Tom, did you hear that your pre existing conditions are not required to be "covered" under insurance? I know that you said that was why you were supporting the Democratic Leaders on this.
Yeah, Congressman Terry uncovered that dirty little secret of your's and Pelosi's during a committee meeting a few weeks ago and announced it on the House floor a few days later.
Insurance cannot refuse to sell insurance to folks with pre existing conditions, but they can still refuse to cover charges for them, which probably means they can also exclude coverage for conditions arising from the pre existing ones.
Tom White, that was a hell of a call you made in support of the House Democratic Leadership's Healthcare Bill. Kinda makes you want to go brush your teeth after kissing that, huh?!
I hope Mark Lakers and his 'campaign' have a productive week!
9:03--shows what the reality is of the scandal. As more and more elected Dems call out ML, acrimony between their supporters and Laker people will continue to break out and erupt.
It is going to be the drip drip, drip of a Chinese water torture--going on all summer here in Nebr. Kind of like the Gulf oil disaster-- both of which focus the public's attention on the Democrats.
Anyone heard that a couple of the Lincoln-area legislators are going to bail on Lakers this week?
What's Bob Kerrey say about all this?
Ben Nelson?????
Dave Hahn--getting ready to saddle up again?
Simple thoughts on a Sunday morning....
BTO - I'm one of dozens of Anon's, and for sure, skim past anything you compose - nothing you say is relevant to me nor interesting. Take the suggestion and start your own blog. Your rantings do nothing but litter an otherwise refreshing poke at politics on LS.
To the OWH reporter who labeled Anne Boil as "grand dame" - you should be fired. I'm sure she enjoys that and Mike has already given her a special cake with that written on the frosting. Reality check: The Boils have done more harm to the Dems than they realize just by opening their pompous potty mouths. I'm sorry to use an Obamaism, but we need a change there and both Boils should go out to pasture. (no, this is not a personal attack on their looks, it's just a saying..)
To Mark Lakers - thanks for having the balls to step forward when NO ONE else would. Clearly you are learning that politics is not easy and your learning curve is like walking on a sharp blade.
To the Anon who gave us the "Tom White walks into a bar..." joke: I'm still laughing. Got any more?
To LS: Thanks for the open opportunity to vent.
To all the "courageous" Anonymice,
Please refer to the very top of this page. Have your mommy, or someone else that is literate, read it to you. It doesn't say that this is a Republican blog, nor a Conservative blog, nor an exclusive hangout for gutless anonymice. It DOES say that it is "the talk of Nebraska politics." Please have that literate person explain to you in kindergarten language what that means.
I have discussed the appropriateness of my posting on this site with its author, The Street Sweeper. He has no problem with me posting here. So, why don't YOU go start YOUR own blog? Here's a good name for it: Gutless Anonymice Nebraska. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Nothing has been proven yet against Mr. Lakers, so I see no reason why he needs to pack it in. He should be given the opportunity to present his case that the pledges were genuinely made and that fraud does not exist. Isn't this the Nebraska way? Sure, Democrats are going to feel the heat and pressure Mark to resign from the ticket--but he should be given the benefit of the doubt.
BTO--I don't think you need to offer any defense for posting here. Personally, I am glad you do. You talk issues and I think that adds to the quality of the discussion here. Unlike Neg Nebr Net where the few comments posted are little other than the kinds of personal attacks launched by sleaze-meister Vile Kyle.
What's funny is that BTO attacks his critics who post anonymously, yet all of his supporters are also anonymous (probably because they are mostly him). Nobody wants to be associated with him politically.
Brian is the laughing stock of the NEGOP. They encourage him, just like bullies in grade school encourage a weird kid to eat paste and bang his head into the wall repeatedly.
Brian thinks he has some sort of "Free Speech Solidarity" with the Republicans. Kudos to Sweeper and Co. for being master manipulators.
And ya wonder why the majority don't vote judging by the high level of political discussion......
However, I do agree that whoever named Anne Boyle a "grand dame" should be held accountability for subjectivity in news reporting. Just the facts? Is her status truly a fact? I dont think so.
Anne who?
BTO, I don't get why you're so anti-anonymous. It's quite apparent who we are. We're either politicians, political parties/PACS, or their staffers that want to sway arguments without the balls to have it traces back to us. Duh.
Anynomous@3:47 aka BTO
Maybe your critics have reputations and careers to protect. Your reputation can only go one place from here, up. When you have nothing you have nothing to lose.
The Lakers scandal is ripping the NDP apart.
One problem for ML is his characterization of the issue only being a 'few' of the pledges. If his amended report ditches most of them, then it looks like he lied about the extent of the problem.
Too late now--he's on the record that this is just some dinky little thing with a 'few' of the entries.
What's hilarious are the Dems who come onto LS to attack BTO.
Why don't they just stay over at NNN and do it?
Interesting that they have time to attack BTO--but apparently don't have time to call the Lakers campaign to make a pledge. Hey, it's easy to do...
What this destroys is Lakers' credibility on anything related to management of the state.
Lakers can't oversee his own campaign's reports--how can he claim to oversee billions in expenditures and all of the things agencies do on a daily basis.
Debates w/Heineman? omg
Dispirited
Just noticed that this thread on LS has over 100 comments. ### of comments on Vile's post re: Lakers that has been up since last Thursday? 12. lol
Quite a time for the Dems...
Obama continues to flail about on the gulf disaster.
Lakers looks incompetent/crooked.
Jobs report shows only 40,000 real jobs created last month. Great 'stimulus' program, Dems...
What are the Dems going to do for an encore this coming week?
Lakers told the LJS his 'new' report will be out June 20 or so--just strings the scandal out another couple of weeks.
Who's advising Lakers...
Just back in from my county convention. Offloaded the yoke of county chair onto someone that actually believes it is something other than a millstone. Good luck to her.
To all the valiant anonymouses, both R & D type, I'm a free man now and will be an even bigger pain in the ass to you all than I ever was before. I find it funny that, as outspoken as I am when I sign my name, that some of you actually believe I would have more credibility by signing as one of you. LOL!!
It's a new day and I wanted to be the first to ask, how's it going there at Lakers HQ?
lol
Not to be the depressing voice here, but rumor has it that Mark is planing a press conference tomorrow to resign from the race. Looks like the saga may come to an end.
I hope most Americans don’t’ find political service a "millstone", or find self pride in being a "pain in the ass". And I expect most find it extremely unwise to publish their own name in a blog in which some people there openly admit they enjoy being a "pain in the ass". Most people find publishing their real name in such an acid environment incredibly foolish, and justifications of such as little more than thin attempts to mask foolish behavior as bravery.
Publishing your own name, address, social security number, etc., in a blog is as “brave” as a soldier who stands up in battle and wags his finger at the enemy. Such persons are useless to their own side as anything but a casualty. They always end up powerless, on their backs, muttering about how “brave” they were. They are a liability to that which they would advance.
What are we actually looking at here? A person who was going to run for state party chairman and ended up not even being his own county’s chairman. It is hard to twist that into bravery. Perhaps it is some form of brilliant hidden strategy.
Hang in there Lakers!!!!
Who's the Dem candidate for Lt Gov--would they take over at the top?
FYI folks:
Blogger was down for quite a while last night. You may have been locked out of commenting (I could not access to put up a new post). Apparently fixed this morning.
-Ed.
Thanks, Sweep! I was worried though--if there are no comments here on LS, then it just turns into another NNN.
LS asked some time ago who this person was that was hired to run Lakers' campaign. I would like to ask that again. I think there is enough blame to go around for this "little" faux paux, but it has to start with the guy Lakers hired to advise him, get it all done and oversee it. I am betting the buck stops there. I have some admiration for Lakers taking the responsibility, but he's gotta be seething with the bad advice he got from someone to sign that report in the first place.
And in response to a comment made earlier, story is that Lakers was not recruited by the party, he decided to do this on his own and called the party and let them know he wants to run. I don't think either Rogers or Covalt knew this guy before he called the NDP with his intent.
BTO, please don't take up Democratic party politics in whatever state you go to. It'll end up bad, you know you're "different" than other people. You know sometimes you're not all there, and there's enough evidence of that all over cyberspace to fill a small library.
Take up fishing. Do something other than becoming a mascot for another state's Republican party.
A 2:05,
And do what? Become just another ass kisser like you? Personally, I prefer being a pain-in-the-ass, even if it IS all over cyberspace.
I already have a hobby. It is writing on blogs. I don't like fishing, don't see any sense in playing golf, and the NDP has become indistinguishable from the Republican party, so I guess I'd have to enjoy the company of REAL Democrats. That works for me.
Brian, you say your hobby is writing on blogs. That's great, START YOUR OWN BLOG!! You see, all of us have a hobby of participating in blogs too and we're tired of you dumbing down this blog. It would be cool if ytou could contain all youjr stupidity onto one blog and not bother anyone else. If Sweeper supports what you are doing why isn't he here defending you?
Talk to people in Holdredge who have known Brian for decades, they'll tell you how moonbat crazy he is.
This is an open forum, Brian follows the few rules we have, and I have no problem with him posting here.
And think how boring it would be with only one side of the aisle represented!
Carry on, all.
-SS
OK, Anon 5:47,
Prove it, you lying sack of .... Get some quotes from two or three real people in Holdrege that support your bovine byproduct and we'll believe you. I am wagering that you don't even KNOW anyone from Holdrege. That's the problem with posting anonymously - your credibility level is exactly ... zero. The only reason you don't use your real name is because I'd be dragging your prevaricating worthless ass into court for slander so fast you'd have to stop and catch your breath.
If all the stuff I have posted here, and elsewhere, over the years was just crap that I made up out of whole cloth, why is it that not one single target of my ire has drug my ass into a courtroom? I say it is because everything I have ever stated has been the truth. For you to prove otherwise would mean that you, first of all, would have to deal with FACTS, something that is completely extraneous to you, and secondly, you'd have to put your own worthless reputation on the line. I'm thinking that if we knew who you were, the monkey poop you toss about so freely would be found on your own face.
BTO--those attacks are coming from some Dem trolls (probably Hannah and Kyle). Ignore them.
Pls keep posting here--you are one of the few Democratic activists in NE who have the guts to tell it like it is!
BTO= a beacon of light and truth in the otherwise cesspool of NDP politics.
Good KFAB interview today by Mark Lakers!
Liberals never seem to astound me. They claim to be the party of compassion but just look at how they treat Brian Osborn, who clearly suffers from mental illness. If you were truly the party of compassion you would reach out to get him to seek help instead of provoking him on this blog.
Doofus @ 11:51,
Do you have a license to practice psychology in the state of Nebraska? Have they allowed you to have a drivers license? Do they let you write with anything sharper than a Crayola?
Your obsession with me is, to a layman like myself, indicative of someone needing help, and it ain't me, babe.
To 8:17,
You forgot a couple of other fired HHS workers that think they are qualified to judge others on the status of their mental health. I'm sure you know who I mean.
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