Nebraska Prepares for Caucus
Jan 02, 07:17 PM CST
Nebraska Prepares for Caucus
KOLN/KGIN TV
Karina Kling
It’s the eve of the Iowa caucus and presidential candidates are busy doing some last-minute campaigning.
It’s been a battle in the Hawkeye state as candidates fight to finish first for the first major electoral event of the nominating process.
But after Wednesday other states are hoping to get some attention as they prepare for their own upcoming caucuses. One of those states is Nebraska.
The push is on as candidates try for those few last people they can count on to caucus for their camp.
Iowa’s first step in the presidential nominating process will give the winning candidate a boost toward their party’s nomination for president.
But while Iowa is the big battleground other states are also preparing for their own caucuses and primaries, Nebraska Democrats will hold their first-ever caucus in February.
“The presidential nominating process this year, the excitement surrounding it is unprecedented,” said Eric Fought, Deputy Director for Nebraska Democratic Party.
“I’ve never seen anything as long as I’ve been following politics that’s drawn this much money and attention so we really wanted to tap into that excitement and bring it here to Nebraska,” he said.
Eric Fought with the Nebraska Democrats said the may primary is just too late and would have no bearing on the presidential nominating process.
So they sent staff to see how the Iowa caucuses work and hope their own will bring some attention to the Cornhusker state.
“We wanted to tap into it, we wanted to have a voice on the national level in the nominating process and we really believe we will on Feb. 9,” Fought said.
But UNL Political Science Professor John Hibbing disagrees.
“I don’t think it’s going to make a tremendous amount of difference. Everyone’s trying to play this game of getting more attention,” Hibbing said.
He said Nebraska may see some candidates come, especially ones who aren’t doing well, but the sate won’t get the attention like Iowa or New Hampshire.
But Vince Powers, party leader and John Edwards supporter, said more Nebraska Democrats may get interested in politics.
“We want the door to be open and come in and gain ownership of the party,” Powers said.
The Nebraska Democratic Party said they don’t expect candidates to flood the state, but it all depends on what happens between now and Feb. 9.
– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend
