Weekend Wrap-Up
Apr 08, 08:54 AM CST
Last Saturday, the Nebraska Young Democrats held their annual State Convention at UNL. There was a great turnout of young people from across the state, and I want to congratulate Kyle Michaelis (President), Bri McLarty (Vice President), Dave Sund (Secretary), and Lucas Peterson (Treasurer) on their election. Hannah Ledford will continue to serve as 1st District Chair and Mike Nellis was elected as 2nd District Chair. 3rd District Chair remains open.
Also this weekend, The Wall Street Journal explained that Nebraska Democrats have an opportunity in 2008:
Democrats are optimistic they can weaken the Republican grip on this prairie state and some neighboring states, just one slice of the country where the political dynamic may be changing.
In 2004, George W. Bush carried this rural state with 64% of the vote, and few people expect Nebraska to vote against likely Republican nominee John McCain come November.
But Nebraska is one of two states whose constitution permits proportional distribution of its five electoral votes (the other is Maine), meaning a split decision is possible depending on how well the candidates do in individual congressional districts. Democrats also hope to pick up some seats in the House of Representatives, whose Nebraska delegation has been all Republican since 1995.
There are reasons for the Democrats’ optimism. Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel is one of the few outspoken Republican critics of the Iraq war, making voters here sensitive to the issue. The state also has a chunk of independent voters as well as those who switch parties easily.
Democratic primary races here are crowded with contenders itching to run against three Republican incumbents in the House and hoping to make a battle of the race for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Hagel, who is retiring.
There’s a lot of work to do; we certainly won’t catch the NEGOP sleeping this year. Once again, I ask everyone to chip in, either by contributing or volunteering.
– by vanhorn | Send this to a friend
