Tom Osborne is best leader for Nebraska

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Tom Osborne would offer a rare blend of thoughtful and independent leadership in the governor’s office. In a field that includes incumbent Dave Heineman and Dave Nabity, it’s Osborne who wins the Journal Star’s endorsement.

The decision was not an easy one. Heineman has exceeded expectations in his 18 months since he succeeded Mike Johanns as governor. And Heineman has run a remarkably astute political campaign.

But in talking with voters about his plans as governor, Osborne transmits a sense of urgency about the need to address problems facing the state. He instills confidence that he’s willing to put conventional politics aside in order to get things done.

As a college football coaching legend, Osborne could never be an ordinary politician. But after three terms in Congress, he’s hardly a neophyte in the ways of government.

Osborne is persuasive in saying he would have an aggressive, creative approach to the fundamentally important issue of creating more job opportunities that will keep more of Nebraska’s brightest young people in the state.

He calculates that about $400 million in venture capital leaves the state every year. More of that money should be kept in Nebraska, using tools such as tax credits, Osborne says.

With crude oil prices at record highs, state government wants to encourage research and enterprise in the field of biofuels. “Biodiesel is where ethanol was 10 or 15 years ago,” he says.

Osborne inspires optimism that he will give more than lip service to make government more efficient. By enlisting the help of financial guru Warren Buffett to cut costs, Osborne believes Nebraska can find savings that have eluded previous administrations.

In the area of spiraling Medicaid costs — which not long ago replaced the University of Nebraska as the second most costly item in the state budget — Osborne stresses the need for money-saving programs that can help keep Nebraska’s senior citizens in their own homes, rather than more expensive nursing homes. That’s where most Medicaid money is spent.

One way in which Osborne demonstrates his independence is by continuing to talk with voters about the need for Nebraska to do more to help its young people escape alcohol and substance abuse. In some ways, that topic seems to have fallen off the table in the gubernatorial primary. To his credit, Osborne won’t let people ignore the problem.

It’s encouraging that Osborne would not step into office holding I.O.U.’s to big donors. Remarkably, Osborne has refused contributions from political action committees, corporate and business committees.

In short, Osborne inspires confidence in his leadership. He says he wants Nebraska to be known for its excellence and achievements. The Journal Star finds Osborne’s record and message to be convincing.