" We just go from bad to worse. "

" Scott Kleeb is just the refreshing kind of common-sense broker needed to challenge Nebraska's political "same-old guys" and get some spark and economic intelligence out its rusty Nebraska trenches. I would support this energetic, enterprising and educated young man. Remember, he had quite a bit of republican support from District III and speaks of new ideas to both parties. He's just the kind of charismatic person Nebraska could use to save it from the path its on---that is, the path going nowhere. "

" For a Democrat to win a US Senate race in Nebraska they need a number of things, but three things in particular. They need a minimum of $5 million, they need minimum 75% name recognition in Omaha, and they need the support of the national party. Scott Kleeb has about 2% name recognition in Omaha, no money, and no support from DC. This paper can do all it wants to help Kleeb by publicizing this Internet drive for him, but it can't change those three facts. Kleeb is smart enough to know that. Remember also, those of you who hate Adrian Smith, that if Kleeb runs for Senate you guarantee Smith gets re-elected. And history shows if he gets re-elected once he'll be in DC as long as he wants. Do you Smith haters want Kleeb to run against Smith or Johanns? Kleeb won't run for Senate. The Democrats are smart enough to know he has a better shot of beating Smith than Johanns. "

" If Scott Kleeb is the best we have in our party to run for the senate, then we are in a world of hurt. I don't have anything personally against him, but my main question would be, "What does he personally have to offer to our party or the state?" We need to find someone from Omaha, and at this point I don't have an idea who that might be. "

" Don't trust blind party faith anymore... things seem to change all the time now-a-days. Even for me - a diehard Democrat! "

" Leave him alone so he can go back to where he came from. We don't need or want another politician that moves to Nebraska to run for office. What are people thinking? "

" To Heck No: Scott Kleeb is a fourth generation Nebraskan, so he is where he came from. "

" Eric, you don't know what you are talking about. The 3rd District is the key to Nebraska politics and any Democrat that can get votes there has a decent chance in a Statewide race. Bob Kerrey had money when he ran for Governor, but how much name recognition did he have before he ran? I would say that Kleeb as much better name recognition and the advantage of being able to raise funds online. As far as Heck No telling Kleeb to go home, Nebraska is as close to home as he's ever known. The thought that he's some sort of political opportunist is laughable. If he was going to move someone where just to run for office as a Democrat don't you think Lincoln might have been a better choice. I hope that Scott at least seriously considers running, his party, his State and his country need him. "

" It would be wonderful to have a politican who is also an historian. In addition, he understands agriculture because he has worked as a ranch hand. That means he would actually be an educated prairie populist. "

" It is not uncommon to hear people in this state complaining about the "brain drain" of young people leaving Nebraska to find better opportunities elsewhere for income, employment, leisure activities and such. Yet when a young person who could go anyplace else (and make more money and pay lower property taxes) CHOOSES to come to Nebraska and tries to be of service, our response is to tear his limbs off. Makes me wonder why I am here. "

" They're thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice for a change to be represented by an intelligent, thoughtful, forward thinking person for a change, instead of just another rubber stamp for either party"... "

" When Scott Kleeb ran against the much less qualfied and less-talented Adrian Smith, Kleeb earned the endorsement of the notriously conservative Omaha World Herald- over his republican opponenet. I have had the oppurtunity to meet Scott Kleeb on numerous occasions, and I would say that he is exactly what Nebraska need. He is a soft-spoken, intelligent young man with the ability to follow what Nebraskans really want, and he is not simply a party lap-dog (like Mr. Smith, Mr. Bruning, and Mr. Johanns). Not to mention that he was able to capture 45% of the vote in one of the reddest district in the country. I hope the people of Nebraska do not miss two oppurtunities to elect this once in a lifetime leadership oppurtunity. PLEASE RUN SCOTT- YOU ALREADY HAVE MY VOTE! "

" I don't have much knowlege of Kleeb someone please let me know about his teaching methods and how he stands on most issues. It would be nice to have another conservative Democrat like Ben Nelson. "

" Kleeb is the most refreshing politian in the state. If given enough money to compete with the Bush-bought Republicans he will win. "

" Sure Hagel grew up in Columbus, but he's lived in Virginia ever since graduating from high school. We have no problem electing Virginians. What's wrong with electing someone who has lived here and started a family over the past couple of years? "

" Kleeb has some powerful friends. What is worst they forcing him upon us. It is a fact that several TV announcers have a strong desire to push him in our faces. Channel 13 in particular. They single handedly almost got him into the seat Smith now has. I am offended by news announcers pushing a political viewpoint. I know, the three networks, CNN and PBS are doing so on a daily basis. I am still offended by these illegal campaign contributions by the radio and TV networks to candidates by blatantly pushing them upon the public. "

" I spent 32 years working in Nebraska politics before retiring in 2004 and Eric the Red has it exactly right. The key to winning the Senate race will be winning the vote where 30-40 percent of the votes will come from -- Omaha. And just because the Omaha World-Herald endorsed Kleeb, don't think that means he has any name recognition. He doesn't. Kerry had money and he bought his name recognition. Kleeb doesn't have the money to buy that recognition and the money to get it done is not coming from DC. If he was going to get national party support we'd have already heard about it. Kleeb will run against Smith again. That's why he moved to the 3rd District Democrat stronghold of Hastings, that's why he took a job he can easily walk away from, that's why he's not already in the Senate race. "

" what about Terry Werner? "

" Kleeb has no chance against Adrian Smith, period!! Smith is doing a great job and is a qualified and honest Nebraskan who has the experience of serving Nebraskans in the state legislature. While he was doing that, Kleeb was in Connecticut honing his East Coast liberal skills and learning how to carpetbag the great 3rd District. We didn't buy Kleeb and his obfuscations in 2006, and we for sure won't in 2008. "

" Why can't the Dems find someone from Nebraska with Nebraska values? I spent two years in California and five in North Carolina. That doesn't make my grandchildren 3rd generation Californians or North Carolinians. With Kleeb in Hastings they are soon destined to relinquish their "Kool-Aid Capitol" status to that of "Snake Oil Capitol." It was obvious during his last campaign that his influences were not Nebraskan. All one had to do was study the license plates outside his campaign headquarters in Kearney. "

" While it's true that he may have the "home town" vlues now. Once in Washington he will turn into the same thing that we have now. Perhaps change IS needed and eventually it will happen. It just seems that no matter WHAT the promises are from ANYONE they always change their tune when they get those big backers and pork barrel projects up and running. "

" Fortenberry moved in from Louisiana and was groomed by PEED Inc to run for city and then for federal office. If anything, he's a carpetbagger because he claims to know what goes on in heaven. "

" Scott PLEASE don't run for the senate seat! We need you to remove Mr. Smith ASAP. He's a moron that has voted against Nebraska numerous times and is a party lap dog. In general a waste of space! "

" The website is DraftKleeb.com. Head over and sign the petition! "

" Adrian Smith will be out of job after the next census, as there won't be a 3rd Congressional District. "

" Scott is a great person who does have a political future, but he needs to run for an in state office to gain some personal strength. He will more than likely be in Congress but now is not the time for him to run and be the sacrific of the Dem. party for the Senate seat. Maybe he should move to the 1st district--we could use some help there. I live in the 3rd dist. and Adrian Smith is doing a good job. And he has not voted with his party on all votes. He represented our interests and voted the farm bill out of the House. "

" And what, exactly, are Mr. Kleeb's core values and ideas that he would supposedly take to the Senate (where he will be stump broke by the likes of Harry Reid, Dick "the Turban" Durbin, Ted Kennedy, et al)? And I have to agree that after the next census there likely won't be a 3rd congressional district in Nebraska as the state has remained complacent about trying to keep/bring people to the state. "

" I find it interesting this Kleeb thing, but I find it more interesting that hardly a poster here gets an important fact. Nebraska will only have 2 not 3 congressional seats after the next census. So unless Fortenberry or Terry decide to resign here in the next 4 years, if Smith wants to hold onto his congressional seat he will have to run in a contested Republican Primary. Yeah the farm vote is powerful west of Lincoln but Adrian Smith will have a big hill to climb with Lincoln or Omaha voters. Now back to Kleeb, I'm a little suspicious of anyone with a Yale background, seems there isn't something quite right with the graduates of that institution, but really in an intellectual battle between Kleeb and say Adrian Smith, Mike Johanns or Bruning, well Kleeb beats them hands down. And this carpetbagger thing is really getting old. Ok, for you "uneducated" 3rd district voters, Virginia Smith, Mike Johanns, Kay Orr, Jeff Fortenberry and others are all, or were carpetbaggers. And really it's not all that uncommon for a "former" Nebraskan to come back after awhile. It's also not uncommon for the average rural kid to get the heck out of Nebraska and never come back. I know, I live in rural Nebraska. I have friends who have told their kids to get out and never come back, sometimes they don't have to be told to leave they see the writing on the wall and get out. You know, I guess if one of my sons had an opportunity to leave the state and get a good education at one of the most PRESTIGOUS schools in the WORLD and then decided to come back and offer his services I would be mighty proud. Maybe Kleebs motives aren't bad, heck a Yale grad can generally make a six figure income right out of school in a state where the taxes and career advancement opportunities are a heck of a lot better than they are in this state. Maybe some of you 3rd district folks need to wake up and figure out how to save your communities, because I'm telling you it's a simple numbers game. Present population plus a high death rate, plus a high outmigration rate minus the difference between your birth rate and death rate equals the demise of most of your communities and schools in less than 20 years. Pick a county like Wheeler or Boone and run the numbers, compare the numbers to say 30 years ago. 3rd District, your days are numbered unless you get really aggressive and really develop good leadership and good policy. The likes of Adrian Smith will just run your district into the ground. "

" I'm struck by how the "support the troops" conservatives slap every soldier, sailor, marine AND their families in the face, every time they call Kleeb "carpetbagger"! Kleeb has been a Nebraska resident his entire life (unlike Fortenberry, born and raised his entire life in Louisiana, or even Johanns, who moved to the DC area for years working for Bush). Kleeb's family worked for DOD, traveling the world as required to support our fighting men and women, and their families. Any attack on that sort of person is a slap at any member of the military who claims Nebraska as residence, even as they live their entire lives in other states and nations! But then, conservatives have NEVER been consistent, always applying standards to progressives they'd never hold their own people to! "

" Scott Kleeb seems like a great guy and a great candidate. I mean, look at that resume for goodness sake. But the race for the senate will be an incredibly difficult battle. The odds will be long. On the other hand Adrian Smith is incredibly vulnerable. Nice vote on the S Chip legislation Rep. Smith, love those "Nebraska Values." So I'd advise Kleeb to take that House seat from Smith, do an awesome job in the House and then move up to the Senate a little later. "

" you've got my vote, again "

" I'm not sure if I like Kleeb or not, but quit bashing the guy for getting an "East Coast education". This is coming from the Bush minions, who will blindly vote for Johanns...well, where did Bush go to college?? Is Bush a "liberal" just because he got an "East Coast" education. This is one thing that's wrong with this state...people are actually downgraded for getting an education...as novel as an "ah shucks" attitude is...it doesn't necessarily solve complex problems. What the heck is wrong with an elite education and a nuanced approach to the world?? The guy is a 4th generation Nebraska and is currently a professor at Hastings College...quit with the "outsider" crap. Argue against his policies or ideas, but quit with the grade school, "he ain't from here" garbage. "

" Matt - you are correct - Bush is an "east coast" liberal. Look at his spending record. Look what he has spent on education and medicare. Only a liberal would assume they are so superior to us hicks out here - why, it is a miricle we have survived as long as we have without more liberals telling us how to live. "

" No "carpetbagger" here. Great to see someone with a Ivy League education wanting use it in his own state. Kleeb would have beat Smith if Smith hadn't got a lot more money and a vist from the Bushmen. "

" Come on Matt Poulson, do ya really intend to take away an entire state's delight in using the anachronistic term "carpetbagger"? Why, words like that symbolize the type of gross oversimplificatin of reality that's the birthright of every Nebraskan. Today it's "carpetbagger," tomorrow you'll demand we cease and desist with "Islamofascists," and before long you'll be demanding an end to "illegitimate child." It a slippery slope from the abandonment of worn out, misleading cliches to actual thought, my friend, and I don't like where you're headed. Why, if I had to guess, I'd say you are one of those types who "enjoys" thinking. Besides, how could anybody grasp how completely Nebraska has changed since Bob Kerrey last lived here full-time? Poor ol' Bob probably still thinks we have a football team. "

" I have met Scott several times in the past year and recently got to know his wife, Jane. They are sincerely committed to the Third District and to Nebraska. The absurdity of calling the man a political opportunist when he came to the Nebraska 3rd and ran as a Democrat is quite frankly a new level of absurdity even for this state. That's like saying someone running as a Republican in Massachusettes against a Kennedy is a political opportunist--heck--that guy might have a better chance. Scott's smart, articulate and has practical and nuanced political ideas. He would make a fine Senator or Congressman depending on which seat he chooses to seek. "

" I'll never forget Kleeb beginning his "victory" tour on the night of the 2006 election. The "environmentalist" candidate's victory bus driving down 2nd Avenue in Kearney, coughing out so much blue smoke that it clouded the entire north part of Kearney, thoroughly irritating all of the commuters on their way home. Current posters aside, Kleeb DID try to carpetbag the 3rd District and we didn't fall for it. Instead, we chose the person who had served Nebraskans honorably in the Nebraska Legislature, and who, through experience, shown that he was the person we wanted to represent us in the House of Representatives. And he has been very good at listening to his constituents and acting on those concerns. Thankfully, we do not have someone in that position who would be taking direction from the likes of Hillary Clinton, Barney Frank, and Harry Reid. "

" For you Adrian Smith supporters, I would like you to please give me one positive vote he has made to benefit the state. Then, after that, please give me one piece of legislation that he has introduced that will significantly and positively support the state. I am waiting.... Good Luck. "

" Kleeb needs to run in the 3rd again. Smith is still vulnerable, and with Bush headed out to pasteur, won't be able to call for help like he did in 2004. As for "I Will Never Forget," use your brain for something else. If Kleeb hadn't put every dime to work for his campaign you would have seen him in a new bus or a white Limo. But its not about what you drive or what you look like, its about the people and the plan. As for air pollution, ANYONE can get irritated breathing the air along that overly congested, east coast type road that runs north/south through Kearney. "

" Why waste time with the 3rd district? It's days are numbered. In the Senate Kleeb would be his own man. Bruning is a "brain dead" Bushmen who only says what the far right reactionarys tell him. Johanns is only looking for another job before someone finds out he as no mind too. "