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First Kerrey TV Ads Focus on Character, America's Challenges

Submitted by chris on 13 March 2012 - 1:57pm

Omaha, March 13, 2012 - Former Nebraska Governor and Senator Bob Kerrey's 2012 U.S. Senate campaign launched its first television ads today.

Omaha, March 13, 2012 - Former Nebraska Governor and Senator Bob Kerrey's 2012 U.S. Senate campaign launched its first television ads today. In "Step Up," Kerrey says, "America needs to step up its game. Our government is dysfunctional, our schools are not performing at world standards, our competitors are stealing our technology and our debt is crippling our future. We need leaders willing to lead, willing to make the tough decisions, willing to work with both parties. And I'm ready to do just that. It's good to be back. I'm Bob Kerrey and I sponsored this ad." "Welcome Home" features Nebraskans talking about Kerrey's Nebraska roots, his character, and his service to Nebraska and the nation. After his service as a Navy SEAL in Vietnam, Bob Kerrey spent nine months in a hospital recovering from his severe war wounds and later returned to Nebraska to start several successful businesses. He served as Governor of Nebraska from 1983-1987, and as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska from 1989-2001. After retiring from the Senate, Kerrey took a job as President of the New School University in New York and served on President Bush's 9/11 Commission.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Article Shows How Bob Kerrey is an ‘Authentic Maverick’

Submitted by chris on 12 March 2012 - 11:31am

Let me tell you about one of my favorite mavericks, a Democrat, who served two terms in the U.S. Senate before leaving voluntarily. Facing a tough re-election race in the very Republican year of 1994, he was assailed for having voted to outlaw assault weapons. In a TV spot, he picked up an AK-47 at a target range and said: “Twenty-five years ago in the war in Vietnam, people hunted me. They needed a good weapon like this AK-47. But you don’t need one of these to hunt birds.” Heard anybody make that case recently?

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Remembering Bloody Sunday

Submitted by chris on 7 March 2012 - 5:29pm

Posted by Will Crossley, DNC Counsel and Director of Voter Protection on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 at 10:15 a.m. ET

On Sunday, I marched the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On the other side, there were columns of Alabama State Troopers lining Highway 80. It could not have been 1965; nearly all of the troopers were African American. Not far ahead of me was Congressman John Lewis, who, along with Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and other iconic leaders of the civil rights movement, marched from Selma toward Montgomery on March 7, 47 years ago. But most of us marching, then and now, were ordinary citizens. In 1965, there were 600 Americans who may never become household names, but who marched that day for a fairer America—an America where all eligible citizens could safely register to vote, cast a ballot, and have their votes counted just like anyone else. Remembering Bloody Sunday

Statement from Nebraska Democratic Party on Senator Kerrey Joining Race

Submitted by Missy Wigley on 29 February 2012 - 3:43pm

Statement from Vic Covalt, Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party

"We are excited to have another excellent Democratic candidate for the United States Senate this year. The entrance of former Senator Bob Kerrey is further proof that this is an attractive race for Democrats, due in part to the considerable weakness of the Republican candidates. Two great Democrats in the Senate race assures us that we will have a strong contrast in November to the ethical lapses of Jon Bruning and the extremism of the perennially-rejected Don Stenberg."

In Case You Missed It: Kerrey Enters Senate Race

Submitted by Missy Wigley on 29 February 2012 - 3:28pm

Statement from Senator Bob Kerrey Doing things the conventional way has never been my strong suit. This afternoon, I will file to become a candidate for the United States Senate in Nebraska. I came to realize that my previous decision was the easy one, not the right one. My commitment to serve Nebraska and America, and to be part of the debate about the challenges we face was too strong to dismiss. My family supports this decision 100%. I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks. We have a lot of work to do. From the Lincoln Journal Star.

Statement from Nebraska Democratic Party on U.S. Senate Race

Submitted by chris on 28 February 2012 - 9:06pm

Statement from Vic Covalt, Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party

"The Nebraska Democratic Party does not typically endorse candidates for office prior to the primary election in contested races, nor do we discourage anyone from running for office. Once we reach the campaign filing deadline, we will see where we stand in terms of candidates for the U.S. Senate race. The fact that we have people battling to get on a statewide ballot shows the robustness and vitality of our Party. It proves the Democratic Party of Nebraska is alive and well, contrary to recent commentary of some publications. We are building the machine to victory in November and one thing is for certain: we will present a strong contrast to the ethical lapses of Jon Bruning and the extremism of the perennially rejected Don Stenberg."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: GOVERNOR THREATENS LAWMAKERS

Submitted by chris on 3 February 2012 - 5:51pm

Heineman Tells Senators Not to Bother to Send Legislation to his Desk Until he gets Tax Cuts for Wealthy

LINCOLN - Nothing will get in the way of Governor Dave Heineman's plan to increase taxes on property owners while reducing taxes for the wealthy - absolutely nothing. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Heineman said Thursday in an address to the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry that lawmakers should not bother to send him any legislation to sign until they pass his tax-cut package, as is. http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/some-lawmakers-say-heinem... Some of the legislation the Governor will apparently hold hostage include the child welfare reform bills that seek to rectify the millions the Governor has thrown away at the Department of Health of Human Services through mismanagement and inefficiencies. "These threats are not just counterproductive to our legislative process - they are insulting and repugnant," said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "This Governor is like the child in the playground who takes his toys and goes home. Instead of temper tantrums, what we need is leadership." The Governor won't let anything get in the way of his tax scheme. The plan will guarantee a $50 million cut for education for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and county officials say it will result in an increase in property taxes http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/node/4136 "The bill is bad on the merits and should not become law," Rogers said. "It would result in severe cuts to education and an increase in taxes for property owners. The wealthy would get the benefits while the middle class would get peanuts."

State GOP Endorses Candidates before Filing Deadlines; Nebraska Democratic Party Welcomes All

Submitted by chris on 30 January 2012 - 12:50pm

Endorsed Candidates Include Former Legislative Staffer Who Helped Redraw the Legislative District He is Running In

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Nebraska Democratic Party Hosting State of Union Viewing Party

Submitted by chris on 19 January 2012 - 6:27pm

No Charge for Event, But Donations Accepted at the Door

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Democratic Party and the Lancaster County Democratic Party is having a viewing party for Tuesday's State of the Union Address. The event offers an opportunity to socialize and listen to the President speak. Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Date: Tuesday, January 24th Location: Zen's Lounge at 122 North 11th Street in Lincoln, NE. Cash Bar - Donation Accepted. Please join us!

Midlands Voices: Democratic Party alive and thriving

Submitted by chris on 18 January 2012 - 1:22pm

NDP Chair Vic Covalt: The party is vibrant and very much alive. We are the party of solutions, growth and good government. We are the party of the future.

In reading the Jan. 10 Michael Kelly column titled "Time for Dems to Rally Their Party," I recalled a famous Mark Twain quote — "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." I used that line the last time The World-Herald ran with the same storyline. The Nebraska Democratic Party is not only alive and well, but we are on the move. First, to even suggest that The Democratic Party is "moribund" requires a huge case of forgetfulness. We have not only been holding our own, we have been winning elections. In 2008, the efforts of Nebraska Democrats gave President Barack Obama a Nebraska electoral vote — the first since 1964. In 2009, Democrats took control of the Lincoln City Council by electing two at-large council persons. Lincoln, under the leadership of its Democratic mayor, Chris Beutler, and its Democratic council, is now on nearly everyone's top five lists for cities in America. That is because Democrats believe in government and know how to govern and how to make things happen. Midlands Voices: Democratic Party alive and thriving

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