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Heineman best choice for governor

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Sunday, Oct 22, 2006 - 12:13:00 am CDT

Gov. Dave Heineman showed that he could accomplish the improbable when he made up a 40-point deficit to win the Republican gubernatorial primary. That augurs well for his performance in a full term as governor.

Admittedly the Journal Star expressed a preference for Tom Osborne in the GOP primary. But we have no hesitancy in endorsing Heineman in the general election.

Heineman performed capably and resourcefully after he unexpectedly took over the governor’s responsibilities when former Gov. Mike Johanns headed to Washington, D.C.

Heineman soon raised eyebrows when he embarked on a trade mission to Cuba to sell food products under an exception to the 40-year-old embargo on U.S. trade with the communist nation. The mission and a face-to-face meeting with Fidel Castro earned the governor a fiery blast from Florida’s Republican members of Congress.

The payoff was considerable, resulting in agreements for Cuba to purchase more than $60 million in Nebraska agricultural products.

Heineman has continued to push to expand Nebraska’s international trade with plans to open a trade office in downtown Tokyo.

One of the things we like best about Heineman is his focus on education — surely one of the prime requisites for success in today’s global marketplace, in which Nebraskans compete with the entire world.

The budget that he proposed to the Legislature included funding increases for both public schools and the University of Nebraska. Heineman also shows a thorough background in educational concepts with his support of early childhood education.

There’s little doubt that Heineman is a politician who  positions himself carefully on issues. With some justification, he has been accused of turning the dispute over the future of the Omaha Public School District to his political advantage.

He’s the sort of politician who has a binder with the names of contacts he has made over the years. He has a network.

But details often can mean the difference between success and failure — not just in politics, but also in governing.

For example, the trade office in Tokyo won’t be staffed by a neophyte. The Nebraska Center will be run by Koji Nagasaka, who was employed most of his career by the world’s 17th-largest company, Japan-based Itochu Corp. Nagasaka was once stationed in Central City while working with Cargill.

As governor, Heineman has handled himself with an approachable style and a willingness to listen. He talks about the need for Nebraskans in different parts of the state to build relationships to aid in economic development. That binder he’s put together over the years might come in handy.

Heineman’s performance as governor since he was sworn in less that two years ago has earned respect and inspired optimism. The Journal Star believes Heineman is the right choice to lead Nebraska as governor for the next four years.

Steve Guittar in District 26

Steve Guittar would bring valuable experience and perspective to the Legislature as senator for District 26 in northeast Lincoln, replacing Sen. Marian Price, who could not run again because of term limits.

Small businesses have been left out too often as the Legislature has crafted programs to spur economic development. Guittar has the background and passion to change that.

“These businesses are the main engine of job creation and are the principal source of new technology,” Guittar wrote in response to a question in the Journal Star Voter’s Guide.

A commercial real estate broker, Guittar has served as president of the University Place Business Association and on advisory boards to city government. He has pledged to be a strong voice for returning more gasoline tax revenue to Lincoln, which urgently needs more funds for street construction.

Guittar’s opponent is Amanda McGill, a former television reporter now working for New Digital Group.

Bill Avery in District 28

As a private citizen and member of Common Cause, Bill Avery has worked for laws designed to keep government open, ethical and fair.

We expect him to continue working on those tasks and trust him to live up to those values as a senator representing the 28th District in central Lincoln, replacing Sen. Chris Beutler, who was ousted by term limits.

“Government must be responsive to citizens and free from the perception that special interests come before the public interest,” Avery said on his Web site. “As your state senator, I will introduce legislation to clarify the ethical responsibilities office holders and candidates have to voters.”

One of Avery’s campaign pledges is to work for a cap on property taxes for most retirees. That goal is worthwhile. If he can devise a workable proposal without eroding the stability of the tax system, Avery will have solved one of the state’s most chronic tax problems.

With his background, Avery should be able to quickly and effectively step into the role of state senator.

Avery’s opponent is Bob Swanson, who teaches computer courses at Hamilton College in Lincoln.

Daniell Nantkes in District 46

Danielle Nantkes would bring an aptitude for doing her homework to her responsibilities as senator for District 46 in north Lincoln, where Sen. Dave Landis is being turned out by term limits.

As an attorney for the Nebraska Appleseed Project, Nantkes has helped draft legislation, testified and lobbied state senators.

She paid attention. She has a good working knowledge of how the institution operates. This background will be a real plus because the 2007 session will the first since the state’s new term limits law took effect.

We expect Nantkes to be a strong supporter of disadvantaged Nebraskans, public schools and the University of Nebraska.

We admit to some misgivings about her involvement in helping draft Lincoln’s problematic living wage ordinance. This worry was assuaged somewhat when Nantkes accompanied the representatives from the Lincoln and Omaha chambers of commerce when they visited the state’s congressional delegation in Washington to discuss economic development issues.

Nantkes faces Carol Brown, a neighborhood activist and co-owner of North Star Jewelry.


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wow wrote on October 22, 2006 12:30 am:
" wow! I wonder how much Heineman had to pay to get this vote! Just another showing that everybody has their price, even supposedly "neutral" newspapers. "

 KLM wrote on October 22, 2006 1:47 am:
" Dave Heineman will do NOTHING about the high rate of property taxes in Nebraska. Like his predecessor, his agenda will be one of appeasement and pandering without any guiding vision or virtue. When will this state and its media wake to the fact that we need a new direction? David Hahn has offered a campaign built on grit, leadership, and ideas for actual reform. It's not surprising that the above editorial doesn't even mention his name - forgetting that he exists and deafening ones ears to his message is the only way one could possibly justify a vote for Heineman. 7000 lost farms. The OPS debacle. Race-baiting against Tom Osborne. Loralee Byrd. Signing bills written by the telecommunications lobby. All this, and the LJS chooses to hail Heineman for listening to Fidel Castro give a 2 hour lecture. As anyone paying attention could note (raid on Witek's office, cutting AGs funding, demanding agency heads NOT speak to Osborne) that "binder" Heineman keeps is really a list of friends and enemies. Sad to see the LJS' attempt to maintain precious access and get on this would-be tyrants' good side. "

 Brought to you wrote on October 22, 2006 7:00 am:
" From the same newspaper that endorsed George W. Bush in 2004 after he'd already shown what a disaster he was. LJS your endorsement logic and credibility is more than suspect, it's frightening. Heieneman will be great for large corporate interests and giant agribusiness, and average Nebraskans and small farmers will suffer. I noted the LJS neglected to mention that under his leadership Nebraska care facilities were found unacceptable by federal inspectors. The most vulnerable Nebraskans who most need government services and protection will suffer while elites will benefit with Heienema -- the GOP way! Hahn offers fresh and innovative ideas in a state where they are long overdue. A shame he won't get a chance in this state that prefers blind faith to evidence. "

 Hjalmer wrote on October 22, 2006 8:34 am:
" Heineman? One more in a long line of pathetic governors. He's another shill for the same powerful interests that have refused to let innovation advance this state. He's the conductor on the train to economic demise. The number one export on that train? Our children and grandchildren. Pathetic. "

 Won't vote for a Velcro wrote on October 22, 2006 9:19 am:
" Since he follows just he party line and endorsed Ricketts I'm voting for Hahn. "

 Amazed wrote on October 22, 2006 10:34 am:
" Heineman does not get my vote and that is not because he is a republican, because I am a republican, I do not think he is the best man or woman for the job. He certainly hasn't proved it to me. Being appointed does not make one governor and then being a shoe in because of the political process and not allowing democrats to vote for someone else besides a democrat in the primary makes this election a scam. I hope that Hahn wins and I have not decided yet in fact as to if I will vote for either of the candidates or maybe leave that slot blank. My feeling is we would do just as well without a governor as to have Heineman in again. Nebraskans will vote for the first persons name on the ballot usually and not even give it a second look, and most will vote for the incumbent first, and not look at the second. I am leaning more toward Hahn and will probably end up voting for him. This election has questions written all over it. My hope is that the Democrats win enough seats to satisfy a super minority and the Republicans win enough seats to remain in the majority, and that both will look at the agendas with open eyes and remain nuetral on their votes until the facts have been presented. In other words do their jobs like elected officials need to, and present solutions not more problems. But of course, that is just the way it is suppose to be and not reality, that is a dream. "

 JT wrote on October 22, 2006 1:10 pm:
" I have to question the Journal Star's first paragraph in this endorsement. What does overcoming a 40 point deficit in a Republican primary have to do with being governor? Good campaigning does not equal good governing. Good endorsement of Professor Avery, he's going to be a great state senator. "

 Ryan wrote on October 22, 2006 5:45 pm:
" Is there an echo in here or am I voting for Hahn? "

 Uh wrote on October 22, 2006 8:18 pm:
" Probably doesn't matter who you vote for, this state has gone no where and still is going no where. Heineman is going to collect his pay check and go thru the motions, Hahn wants wind power and raise taxes on the states citizens that are already taxed to death, then the corporations will take over the farms and rake in the profits from the wind power that citizens paid for. Nebraska is a looser state. "

 Ann Richards wrote on October 22, 2006 9:13 pm:
" Why do people believe that the LJS is a liberal paper? "

 Patriot wrote on October 22, 2006 11:30 pm:
" Please tell me the LJS has just written this endorsement of Heineman as a Halloween prank. Nebraska just can't afford four more years of his government by committee. Goodbye to another 7-10,000 farms. Hello to corporate agriculture. I can't see where the middle class Nebraskan has anything to gain with Heineman at the helm. Obviously, I'll be voting for David Hahn. "

 Elam wrote on October 23, 2006 11:54 pm:
" This Op-Ed piece essentially endorses Heineman because he's good at campaigns and hasn't done anything to screw things up too badly (because he weasels out of taking a real stand). Plus he's collected a lot of business cards. To boot, he's supportive of education! Apparently Hahn strongly opposes education because he wants see property tax reform. Heineman knows a guy from Japan that worked in Nebraska...Cool, he's got the exclusive inside connections that Hahn doesn't have. Give. Me. A. Break. If these are the qualities that make a good leader, I'll nominate half of my dorm floor next term. Otherwise, LJS editors, quit trying to suck up to the next governor simply because you can predict the oh-so-unpredictable outcome of the vote. Grow some gonads and challenge the candidates and the electorate even though you might lose a couple exclusive interviews or have a few uncomfortable Q&As. It's business, not personal, and I'm sure Heineman can respect that. "

 Bob wrote on October 26, 2006 2:49 am:
" Governor Heineman the best for the job. Give me a break here I am a Republican who is not voting for him. He igonores questions when asked by us the voters. He only tells us what he wants you to hear. He supports bigger government. He can not manage our State agencies that are running out of control. He is afraid to conduct a review audit to see what they are doing. Take a look at the problems that have come to light in Beatrice and Omaha just recently. He is not good for Nebraska. He is and has always been just another self centered, money and power hunger politician. Maybe Mr. Hahn will be the same way if he wins and he turns out the same we can remove him from office just like we have the chance to remove the appointed, not elected Governor Heineman. "

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