NEGOP Called Out for Mudslinging
Feb 29, 04:42 PM CST
Whether it be posting “embarrassing” pictures of 1st Congressional District candidate Max Yashirin online or attacking Senator Ben Nelson for the end of Nebraska’s electric chair, the NEGOP just can’t catch a break; they always seem to end up with more mud on themselves than on their target:
The Nebraska Republican Party’s attack on Sen. Ben Nelson for the state Supreme Court throwing out the electric chair was one of the most lamebrained, strictly political attacks the state has seen since Nelson ran for re-election two years ago.
The state GOP contends Nelson, who just happens to be a Democrat, is to blame because the six judges he appointed to the court made the ruling. The only dissenter, Chief Justice Mike Heavican, was appointed by Republican Gov. Dave Heineman.
The problem with the GOP’s missive is that Nelson supports the death penalty. In fact, he was governor when the state’s last three executions were carried out.
Regardless of your views on the death penalty, you have to find these attacks laughable. If Republicans really wanted a death penalty in Nebraska, why didn’t their leadership step up when it became apparent that the electric chair was on its way out?
In 2001, Mike Johanns was Governor. Attorney General Jon Bruning, NEGOP Chairman Mark Quandahl, and Congressman Adrian Smith were all State Senators. That’s the year that Jon Bruning said, “I believe personally (the electric chair) is cruel and unusual.” He went on to say, “I believe ultimately that will result in Nebraska’s penalty being declared unconstitutional.”
Of course, these Republican “leaders” did nothing.
Seven years later, now that the electric chair is no longer an option, the NEGOP is unable to find decent answers as to why they didn’t take action sooner. Instead, as usual, they try to distract Nebraskans from their ineffectual leadership… and blame it all on a Democrat.
– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend
