RNC Ignoring Nebraska?
Apr 04, 11:10 AM CST
Congressman Lee Terry seems a little concerned that the RNC is taking Nebraska for granted:
Terry is trying to convince national GOP officials that they could be making a mistake. His pitch rests on two key points.
The first is the excitement Democrats showed in holding caucuses that were won by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
His second point focuses on the way Nebraska splits its electoral votes. A presidential candidate need win only a congressional district — not carry the entire state — to capture one of the state’s five electoral votes. Even one vote could prove critical in a tight presidential election, Terry said.
While this doesn’t happen too often, I actually agree with Terry. Thought it’s a long shot, Nebraska’s Electoral Votes could be in play for the first time in years.
But our State Chair thinks there might be a little more to the story:
Nebraska Democratic Party Chairman Steve Achelpohl said he agrees with Terry that the presidential race could be competitive in a couple of Nebraska’s congressional districts.
He said he’s not surprised Terry is pushing to bring national money into the state.
“Terry knows that he’s going to be in for a competitive congressional race, and the infusion of national Republican dollars into Nebraska . . . would certainly benefit him,” Achelpohl said.
If I were Lee Terry, I’d be concerned about having to run against either Richard Carter, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, or Jim Esch, who doubt surprised the Congressman with closer-than-expected results in 2006.
Meanwhile, the DNC continues its commitment to the 50 State Strategy, ensuring that no state gets taken for granted in 2008.
– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend
God, what I wouldn’t give to have a leader of our party with enough fire in his belly to make the rest of Nebraska competitive, and not just his own backyard.
— Brian T. Osborn Apr 04, 09:11 PM CST #
— John from GI Apr 04, 09:32 PM CST #
Although I am sure that Vic Covalt would make a very good State Chair, the nominations aren’t complete, the voting hasn’t taken place, and the coronation won’t happen for another three months plus. We won’t know until the State Convention in Fremont, the weekend of June 20th, who all will be running for that office. But I will guarantee you that if I am a delegate again, my vote will go to whoever has the most intestinal fortitude, desire and capability to make each and every one of the congressional districts in this state count come November and beyond.
Our current chair was obviously more interested in furthering the careers of his friends in Douglas County than he was building a statewide party in 2006. The facts support that. If he weren’t so dead set on parlaying his Super-Delegate status into another possible nomination to a federal court he’d do the honorable thing and step aside in June (or before) so that we could go through the general election with a chair that would actually fight with us, rather than against us.
— Brian T. Osborn Apr 04, 10:47 PM CST #
You just suggested that Steve Achelpohl – our state chair for the last 7 years – is somehow fighting “against us.” That’s just idiotic.
And, for the love of God, please refrain from holding up your willingness to say anything that comes to mind – no matter how ridiculous and irresponsible – as a badge of honor. Despite our party’s affinity for donkeys, it takes no courage to be a jackass.
— Kyle Michaelis Apr 05, 12:34 AM CST #
Seven years of failing to grow our party or get anyone other than Ben Nelson elected to either federal or statewide office is failure in my book. We can’t afford to keep up this kind of “success.”
It is time for a new leader.
— Brian T. Osborn Apr 05, 04:29 AM CST #