Nebraskans React to the Republican Convention (with video update)

Sep 05, 10:20 AM CST

A lot of Nebraskans had a lot to say in response to John McCain’s acceptance speech Thursday night. Here is a collection of a few of their remarks:

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey:

“John McCain’s speech did not address how he would provide much needed economic relief to help citizens overcome rising gas prices and healthcare costs. Barack Obama is offering real solutions to the problems that people all across the country face every day. That’s the reason I’m supporting him, and that’s the reason I believe he will win in November.”

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler:

“Barack Obama unites people, he doesn’t divide them. He is a leader that will bring people together behind a common vision of our shared future. Senator Obama will be a President that reaches across the divides of partisanship and special interests for the common good.”

State Senator and Bronze Star recipient Don Preister:

“As a veteran, I am enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama for President. In the Senate, Barack Obama has consistently sided with our troops by ensuring that they have both the supplies they need on the battlefield as well as the care they deserve when they return home. Barack Obama understands the shortcomings of the current way America treats its past and present servicemen and women, and he will work to create a 21st Century Department of Veterans’ Affairs that will honor the sacred trust America has with its veterans. The way America treats its wounded warriors needs to change, and Barack Obama is committed to making that change happen.”

NDP Chair Steve Achelpohl:

“John McCain and Sarah Palin may have promised the country a change in direction this week, but they did so while embracing more of the same failed policies and misleading campaign tactics made famous by George W. Bush. John McCain and Sarah Palin failed to offer any new ideas on how to get our economy back on track or how to help Nebraskans deal with the problems they face every day. Of course, new ideas aren’t what we’d expect from a nominee who voted with President Bush 90% of the time.”

And last but not least comes Nancy Lawson, a former Republican in Omaha who is ready for a change:

“The party I voted for back in 2000 and 2004 is not the party that has earned my vote this year. Since voting for George Bush twice, I’ve been unemployed for two years due to the tightening economy, and in turn painfully uninsured. Today more than ever, we need someone with fresh ideas who can rescue us from the mess George Bush got us into. John McCain will only offer more of the same. This year, Americans need Barack Obama to get us back on track.”

UPDATE:
Jeffrey Toobin of CNN had this to say:


– by vanhorn | Send this to a friend

  1. At least John McCain was respectful of Obama and his supporters. McCain congratulated Obama last week but Obama did not return the favor. John McCain is a class act. Obama and his supporters have no respect for others. Obama has no new ideas either and no details. The money the Democrats used in renting Mile Hile standium could have been used to help the homeless in Denver and other poverty stricken people instead they thought of themselves. I see no change in helping yourself than others. If Obama wants to help the poor he should put his money where his mouth is.
    — Rick    Sep 05, 12:18 PM CST #
  2. Rick, not sure what convention you watched, but Obama and Biden (as well as Hillary Clinton and many others) honored McCain’s service to country and called him a hero. When they criticized, it was on issues. Obama and others then laid out their ideas on how we can all move forward. It was the Republicans that got personal and very condescending, avoiding issues by doing so. They were stuck in the past and gave no solutions.
    — Lisa Hannah    Sep 05, 01:08 PM CST #
  3. Lisa,
    I was referring to the night Obama accepted the Democratic nomination, McCain had a commericial on TV congratulating Obama. Obama did not return the favor. Instead he was on the O’Reiley Factor promoting himself. That is selfish and disrespectful. Obama and his supporters were condescending towards Hillary and now they are condescending towards Sarah Palin. That’s change you can count on, not! Last night at the Republican convention John McCain talked about his solutions to the economy, education and energy. He did not avoid the issues. I can’t wait until McCain runs circles around Obama in the debates. Unless there is a teleprompter Obama won’t know what to do. Being President is above Obama’s pay grade.
    — Rick    Sep 05, 02:16 PM CST #
  4. Wait, did you just make a “not” joke? Seriously?

    I guess it’s true: Republicans are stuck in the 20th Century.
    — Borat    Sep 05, 02:43 PM CST #
  5. Borat,
    Why don’t you pull your head out of the sand. How is using the word not being stuck in the 20th century? At last report using words is part of everyday communication. If that’s all you have for a comeback maybe you are living in the 20th century.
    — Rick    Sep 05, 02:57 PM CST #
  6. More Americans watched Obama’s speech than the opening of the Olympics and I am pretty sure that Rick was not one of them. Like other misinformed people like Rick that have the blinders on, they continue to get their information, translations, and quips from the 24 hour news channels. Rick’s statements are lifted from people like O’Reilly – “return the favor?”
    McSame’s campaign is in the dirt and getting worse. The campaign is all about smearing the other guy. One picture that I will always remember about the RNC was when the RNC leaders belittled the work of community organizers and then the camera turned to the audience. They thought it was hilarious! People laughing at the importance of community leaders and organizers?
    I am a community leader and organizer and I teach a leadership class. I thought my work was important? Not so with the Republican Party.
    — Red    Sep 06, 07:52 AM CST #
  7. maybe rick should go find himself another website.
    — Nick    Sep 06, 02:17 PM CST #
  8. Red,
    No, it’s you that have your blinders on. You want a candidate that sat in a church for 20 years listening to the likes of Rev. Wright running the country. Now that’s blind faith.
    And more people watched John McCain’s speech than Obama’s speech. How about those apples?
    What about Obama’s tactics of sending out women surrogates to smear Sarah Palin because he doesn’t have the guts?
    I’m not misinformed. I’m just choosing the right candidate for the President of the USA.
    — Rick    Sep 09, 11:19 AM CST #

Search