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Scott Kleeb in spotlight

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Nov 04, 2006 - 12:14:42 am CST

KEARNEY -- The man who stands in Nebraska’s political spotlight appeared relaxed and confident Friday as he visited with University of Nebraska at Kearney students.

In about 48 hours, the president of the United States would be on the ground just down the road in Grand Island on a mission primarily aimed at him.

Responding to Nebraska Republican alarm bells, President Bush will come to Nebraska on Sunday to try to scuttle the 31-year-old Dunning ranch hand’s congressional bid.

Story Photo
Scott Kleeb (AP)

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Scott Kleeb’s spotlight is White House political adviser Karl Rove’s crosshairs. 

“Nice shirt,” Kleeb said as he walked over to Nathan Garst, a Kearney sophomore wearing an Adrian Smith T-shirt.

As Kleeb shook hands with Garst, the student asked, “Would you repeal the Bush tax cut?”

The barrage of TV ads claiming he’d vote to end tax cuts benefiting families isn’t true, Kleeb said, but only “a last ditch effort to call me names and distort my positions.”

Turning to enter the Fireplace Lounge in the Student Union, Kleeb urged Garst: “Come in and listen.”

After Kleeb left, Garst said he’s undecided whether he’ll vote for Smith, the Republican, or Kleeb, the Democrat, on Tuesday despite the T-shirt.

“I’ve got an idea,” he said, “but it’s not set in stone yet.”

And then Garst walked in to listen to Kleeb.

The object of all this GOP angst and White House attention wore jeans, jacket, open shirt, boots, western belt buckle, ready smile.

Around the room he went, shaking hands, asking names and hometowns. 

“I want us to talk about the future of our district, our lives, how we open opportunities, how we keep young people here,” Kleeb told about 50 listeners.

“We’re the homesteaders.  Sure, there are going to be struggles, but we come out of the spirit of pioneering, the spirit of tomorrow, the spirit of reaching.”

As polls show him running even, or better, with Smith in a congressional district the GOP has held for 48 years, Kleeb said, “Everybody, it seems, is campaigning against us now.”

What he faces, Kleeb said, is “not just the politics of name-calling, but $500,000 being spent on my head.”

“I’m willing to ride the storm,” he said, but he’ll need help to win the 3rd District seat Tuesday.

Nebraska can be a leader in the development of alternative energy, Kleeb said, “if we start investing in the future.”

The small and mid-sized communities of western and central Nebraska can offer economic opportunity and provide good jobs for young people, he said, if there’s investment in community colleges and universities and research and roads as well as 21st century infrastructure like broadband Internet service.

“You guys have ideas and I’ve got some ideas.  Let’s bring our issues forward together.”

Asked about Iraq, Kleeb said the United States needs to involve “the international community” and talk directly with regional powers like Iran and Syria just as it talked with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

“As long as it’s solely us, that’s not the way out,” he said. 

“This is the way you bring American soldiers home and not have a failed state.”

As he left, Kleeb was stopped a number of times by students for snapshots with them.

Walking across the campus to his campaign van, Kleeb said Bush’s visit “gives a boost to Adrian’s campaign.”

Kleeb said he’s “being bombarded by negative ads” which may have an impact even though “people are tired of it and everyone hates them.”

But the presidential visit also energizes his supporters, Kleeb said.

“And it highlights the fact that we’ve got something different going on here now.”

At the end of the day, he said, “It’s Adrian and me.”

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.


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KLM wrote on November 4, 2006 1:30 am:
" Nebraska believes in Scott Kleeb. He's the right man with the right message at the right time for the Third District. When voters step into that ballot box, they're not voting for or against President Bush. They're not even voting for or against the Club for Growth's anti-farm agenda. They're voting for the future of their communities and for who will be the stronger, more respected voice in Congress between Scott Kleeb and Adrian Smith. As the World-Herald stated, Smith has been an ineffective legislator who's demonstrated zero leadership in Lincoln. Kleeb, on the other hand, offers vitality and vision - not to mention the potential to be a powerful, national voice for rural America for years to come. Kleeb has earned this victory because he's so clearly the better candiate than Smith. But Kleeb's victory will really belong to the voters, who've found an independent voice we can all believe in. "

 Larry wrote on November 4, 2006 3:17 am:
" At least one of Nebraska's congressional districts is willing to look at someone other than the nerdy GOP politicians we've have representing us. It's one thing to be nerdy, but it's another matter when they don't have any original ideas and just rubber stamp the messy Bush policies. "

 Kleeb for Growth wrote on November 4, 2006 6:40 am:
" This man is the real deal I would urge you to listen to his message, not the negitive adds. And if the president has to come bail out Adrian how good of option is he? "

 He gets it wrote on November 4, 2006 7:59 am:
" For the 3rd District to pass on this opportunity would be little short of tragic. Kleeb simply gets it. The despair of a district losing its children, its best and brightest, when they turn 18; populations shrinking along with economic opportunities; the decline of small farms due to legislation favoring giant agribusiness. Downtowns struggling to hang on. . . . He has a vision, including a wonderful plan for alternative energy that reaches far beyond somebody like Fortenberry's pathetic handout to corporations masquerading as environmentalism, to put the 3rd District back on its feet and lead it into the future. How wonderful it would be for Nebraska to have at least one Representative it could be proud of to go along with the stuffed suit rubber stamps Fortenberry (I've no optimism that the 1st District will awake from its pathetic dogmatic slumber and vote in the much more qualified and deserving Maxine Moul), and Terry. Don't be flattered by the President's visit, 3rd District. Be insulted. His administration's lies and manipulations have made you less secure, given you a government debt that will negatively impact not only your lives, but those of your children and grandchildren. I mean, does a political party that publishes advanced plans for an atomic bomb on the Internet in yet another desperate,cynical, and twisted attempt to leverage some political gain deserve anybody's vote? If we let them get away with all they've gotten away with we'll only show them that we're willing to take anything and will never hold them accountable. That's not at all healthy for our democratic system. Republican, Democrat, or Independent one thing is clear: The GOP has got to go. Send 'em home! "

 Paula wrote on November 4, 2006 8:04 am:
" Providing role models and jobs for children taxpayers educate has been ignored too long, I'm glad Kleeb has returned even though criticized in thr ads. Nebraska can grow by attracting professionals if it has examples to show, Kleeb might be a first step in showing this state welcomes people with advanced degrees. That is important as any struggle for change. "

 mom wrote on November 4, 2006 8:24 am:
" Scott Kleeb has my vote! We need to send a person with intelligence to Washington to represent us, not another Bush yes-man. Go Scott! "

 Go Scott!!! wrote on November 4, 2006 8:43 am:
" Hey 3rd district voters, get out there and vote in your own self-interest for once, instead of voting for people who will stab you in the back!!! "

 Kari wrote on November 4, 2006 9:15 am:
" I want to move west just so I can vote for Scott Kleeb. He represents the best of what Nebraska has to offer the nation-an independent populist who will rise above the partisanship and special interests. RUN, SCOTT, RUN!!!!!!! Good luck in your bid for Congress...serve the 3rd district well...and consider the Senate next time around!! "

 Frustrated wrote on November 4, 2006 9:31 am:
" If Adrian Smith actually wins this election, then we get the government we deserve. Kleeb is a strong, independent voice full of promise for positive change. Smith is not very bright; and given the great opportunity that comes with a seat in the Legislature, he has proven himself to be ineffective and misdirected. Even the newspapers that endorse him (Scottsbluff) literally and directly called him a water carrier for Dennis Hastert. There is no independent thought in his head. It is astonishing that so many people would prefer that over what Kleeb promises. "

 a Republican for Kleeb wrote on November 4, 2006 10:36 am:
" Scott is an independent leader with ideas, not slogans. Scott demonstrated intelligence, leadership and listening skills when he invited Mr. Garst in to listen and ask questions. We need leaders who can reach out to others who may have a different opinion. Mr. Garst is to be applauded for accepting the invitation. I hope he asked any questions he had. We need independence, intelligence and courage now more than ever to deal with Iraq, skyrocketing health insurance and tough farm issues. Adrian was able to defeat two better candidates because he took the Club for Growth money and they didn't. Money, not independence and intelligence, won him the primary, he owes the CFG, Cheney, Hastert and Bush and will do as told. Don't we deserve someone who will represent us? Let us make sure this election won't be won by the people who take money with strings attached and the low road in the last days. "

 Desperate phone calls wrote on November 4, 2006 10:43 am:
" The Repub. phone call campaign is incredible. The worst of it is that I can't tell the pre-recorded caller to 'buzz off'. Having Bush come to GI is too little, too late....should've done it 6 weeks ago. Scott Kleeb gets my vote and anyone else I can persuade.......VOTE for the person, NOT the party, please. "

 Kleeb's the man wrote on November 4, 2006 11:56 am:
" Don't send Mr. Smith to Washington, he will accomplish nothing in the interest of Nebraska. Bush wants Smith in so that his agenda of accomplishing nothing in his remaining two years can be achieved. "

 whatever wrote on November 4, 2006 12:49 pm:
" I know this is going to be an interesting election across the country. I live in the 1st district and every election year we get many phone calls from the Republican Party. Well, this year we have gotten phone calls from the Democratic Party, plus visits from Democratic candidates and Democratic workers. This is in the rural 1st district. Haven't seen a single Republican candidate or worker come to my door in several elections. Makes me wonder about the strength of the Republican Party get out the vote efforts. I also think many of the races that will likely go Republican(1st and 2nd district congress and governor) will be much closer than anyone thought. This could be a watershed election, can't wait to vote! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on November 4, 2006 1:04 pm:
" Oh please. This jerk has never in his entire life bothered to vote, and now he wants to be elected to Congress?. Please tell me the 3rd district isn't that stupid. "

 Jerk? wrote on November 4, 2006 1:36 pm:
" Obviously you never took the time to meet with Scott because anyone who has met him will tell you that he is not a jerk. Also what does calling him a jerk accomplish anything? Do you feel better now. And Scott has too voted in elections of the past so your argument holds no water. "

 hmm wrote on November 4, 2006 1:46 pm:
" Adrian Smith would sell out the 3rd district to big Agribusiness and Special Interests in a heartbeat. Adrian Smith only worries about Adrian Smith and simply isn't capable of any significant independent thought. As a Republican I anxiously await to vote for Scott Kleeb as he is clearly the best choice to represent the 3rd district for it's few remaining years. "

 Suzanne Gage wrote on November 4, 2006 1:58 pm:
" Is it true that Scott Kleeb never voted in Nebraska until this year? Is it true that he has never paid property taxes? Both would be strong indications of his longevity as a citizen of this state. The people of the third district deserve a representative that is a participating citizen of their community. "

 But... wrote on November 4, 2006 2:31 pm:
" While Kleeb has not voted in the state elections, I don't see how this disqualifies him. Jeff Fortenberry did the same, and Hagel came in hear long enough for a few years from the east coast to get elected. Also owning property is not a requirement for holding public office anymore, that's way outdated. Kleeb got this campaign close and heated by travelling around Nebraska, campaigning, and gettting to know the people and concerns of the 3rd district, I'd say that he's very involved in several Nebraska communities. Of course if you want to vote for a guy whose community activism is illustrated by allowing the sale of fireworks in 2000 or repealing the helmet law, then be my guest. "

 So What? wrote on November 4, 2006 2:36 pm:
" Are you really so shallow as to let allegations about Kleeb's voting record and residency stand in the way of voting for the best candidate? Chuck Hagel hadn't lived in Nebraska or voted here since before he shipped of to Vietnam and that didn't stop people from electing him a U.S. Senator. And to the person who referred to Kleeb as a jerk: have you ever met Adrian Smith? He personifies the word. "

 Go Kleeb! wrote on November 4, 2006 2:36 pm:
" I'm sure you Smith supporters are happy to hear about Smith violating campaign law by walking into the Polk Co. Court House and handing out literature, even after being told by officials he couldn't do that in there since it was considered an active polling place. Of course you Smith supporters were happy to hear that he lied about it then, saying he didn't do that and left when told, that it was all a partisan smear, even though three officials report he was doing exactly the opposite. Yep, sounds like a great representative to me for the 3rd District- a law maker who feels himself above the law and has no problems lying on cue. By the way....the requirement to actually own property is no longer a requirement to run for office....unless you want to go back to the days before this nation where only property owners have rights to representation or political office. Yep, sounds like a winner! "

 iconoclast wrote on November 4, 2006 2:41 pm:
" What a classy move by a supposedly intelligent UNL prof, calling a person he has never met a jerk, claiming the person had never voted before. Tell this hothead that Dwight Eisenhower never voted until he ran for and won the presidency, twice, as a Republican. The fact of the matter is that the Republicans, seduced by East coast money, gave the primary victory to a classic dim bulb, and now as the race gets hot, any fool can see that Kleeb, no matter where he last voted, or what party he represents, would be a better representative than poor, slow Adrian. The fact that a supposedly intelligent person, Dr. Harbison, doesn't see this shows that none is so blind as he who doesn't have an open mind. "

 whatever wrote on November 4, 2006 2:57 pm:
" Ms. Gage, property ownership is not a requirement to run for office or vote. This is NOT medieval Europe where only the landed gentry have a say in how our country is governed. It is also not uncommon for a young person to move out of state and then later return to their home state after graduation never having voted. Most young people don't vote, as do a significant number of older folks, so the fact he voted for the first time this year, if that is true, isn't a big issue, especially among voters under the age of 40. The people of the 3rd district deserve the best representation they can get, the fact that Adrian Smith is getting hundreds of thousands of dollars from an organization like the Club for Growth should be a big red flag that Mr. Smith does not have your districts best interests at heart. Scott Kleeb didn't have to come back to Nebraska, but he cared enough to do so. A Yale graduate with his background could name his salary with virtually any company in the world, period. He chose to come back to Nebraska to try and make a difference, that tells me that his heart and motivations are in the right place. He's your best bet for getting some things done for your district, because after the next census Nebraska will lose a congressional seat, unless we get a few hundred thousand people to move here in the next 4 years. That probably means the 3rd district will likely be represented by a Lincoln congressman, and I guarentee a Lincoln congressman won't care what happens west of Lancaster County. "

 I've voted wrote on November 4, 2006 2:58 pm:
" When I lived in the 3rd district I didn't bother to vote -- what was the point? The elections were always predictable, the choices always meaningless. Kleeb is the most exciting candidate I've ever seen in the 3rd district -- and I'm old! Heck, I respect him for not casting a vote out there in the past. Shows he had good sense. "

 C'mon, Mrs. Gage ... wrote on November 4, 2006 3:46 pm:
" Jeff Fortenberry and Chuck Hagel had spent scarce time in Nebraska before running for office. In fact, Mr. Fortenberry didn't even have any family connection to this state, unlike Scott (whose family in Nebraska goes back four generations). I don't see the Republicans complaining about those gentlemens' late arrival to Nebraska. Conversely, longtime residents of this state include Ernie Chambers. He has paid taxes here, served here, worked here, and voted here for many years. If longevity in the state is your deciding factor, I presume you'd have no difficulty in electing Ernie to Congress. "

 Joann wrote on November 4, 2006 4:14 pm:
" Please get out and vote on Tuesday for the best candidate for the 3rd District. It is important to vote for the person who has the intelliegence, grace and vision to represent us. Don't let partisan politics stand in your way. I am a REPUBLICAN FOR KLEEB!!! "

 Go Democrats wrote on November 4, 2006 7:13 pm:
" I hope the Democrats really clean the Republican Party's clock all across the country. I have been a life long Republican and want my party back. Perhaps a devastating defeat will weed out the corruption and hypocrisy. I WON'T vote Republican period, they have sold out this country. "

 ksk wrote on November 4, 2006 7:55 pm:
" I’m disappointed with Kleeb. In his early TV ads he called himself an independent, so I checked out his web site only to find he was running as a member of one of our two major political parties. If Kleeb doesn’t have the courage to tell me, a voter, which party he represents, I’m not sure he will have the courage to honestly represent Nebraska’s issues in Washington. I’m still waiting for a true Independent candidate. "

 Kleeb for Growth wrote on November 4, 2006 8:06 pm:
" I believe the people are getting back to their roots! It's simple the right person for the right job. SCOTT KLEEB IS IT! Let's be Nebraskans not Democrats or Republicans. "

 PK wrote on November 4, 2006 8:08 pm:
" I don't know why people are yapping about the N.Y. guy or Utah or where ever it was doing the 423 poll when Fortenberry, Kleeb and Hagel are Nebraska trans plants. Goes to show there's no talent or brains in Nebraska and all the so called illegals move in to get elected. All they want is the big bucks and power in Washington and could care less about Nebraska. Hagel is a great example of that. If Nebraskans' aren't being sold down the river!!!! "

 RWF wrote on November 4, 2006 8:27 pm:
" Bush stay home! Nebraskans don't need the state troopers overtime. If you want to come to Nebraska pay your own bill! Or spend the money on something real like Health care, Education or Social Security. PLEASE! "

 Ready for Change wrote on November 4, 2006 8:30 pm:
" Hasn't voted? I would bet that's an error in the records if that's what it really shows, happens often. So are you just taking this accusation and running with it, taking what someone said... or have your really researched this claim? If you're keen on what the record shows... then look at what Smith's record shows. I'd be ashamed to have a congressional representative who's hallmark legislation is helmets and fireworks. Bush's visit, too late to the bash, shows the republicans took this district for granted and are now running scared. They deserve to loose it. You want change... vote for change. "

 Alienation? wrote on November 4, 2006 9:24 pm:
" If Kleeb has been a student at Yale, wouldn't it make sense that he would have registered there? If a person lived in an apartment, would Republicans attack them for not paying property taxes or claim they shouldn't be a legitimate candidate. There seems to be a party of exclusion at work, can you guess which one? "

 For the record... wrote on November 4, 2006 9:56 pm:
" For those stuck on what the record shows, you should then be interested in what the Polk officials witnessed of Adrian Smith's electioneering at the courthouse there, continuing after being warned. When he went to other courthouses, no one approached him on the violations. You can't count on NE Atty General Jon Bruning to pursue it because that would only call attention to his electioneering at the courthouse in Scotts Bluff. (Search starherald.com for Bruning). "

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