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Kleeb wins Journal Star endorsement

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Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 08:53:53 am CDT

Nebraska Democrats should choose Scott Kleeb as their nominee for the U.S. Senate race.

Kleeb offers an appealing blend of intelligence, drive to get things done and thoughtfulness on the issues.

These qualities are on display when Kleeb discusses the nuances and complexities of the future role of the United States in Iraq.

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Scott Kleeb

Kleeb understands that a precipitous pullout could be disastrous for U.S. interests in the Mideast, and for the millions of people in Iraq and nearby countries who would find themselves drawn into expanding violence.

He has resisted the temptation to set a timetable for withdrawal of troops, which would encourage dissident elements in Iraq to simply bide their time before unleashing their forces.

Kleeb wants the United States to aggressively draw Iraq’s neighbors into discussion over the future, and enlist their support in stabilizing Iraq. The Bush administration has dragged its feet too long in pursuing this option, which could be tremendously effective in bringing stability.

Kleeb’s thoughtfulness and pragmatism is demonstrated by his stance on health care reform. He said he is attracted to a plan devised by Dr. Richard O’Brien and others that was presented to Sen. Chuck Hagel’s Health Care Commission.

Described by its authors as an attempt to develop “a politically feasible model of a reformed system that will appeal to a range of ideological and political positions,” the plan would mandate health insurance coverage for all Americans.

The proposal also calls for premium subsidies for employers in order to assure that global competitiveness is not compromised, and subsidies for individuals that would be capped at a percentage of household income.

Kleeb also wants to address a profound weakness in the nation’s energy policy. During the past seven years, he points out, the nation has done far too little to encourage conservation. It’s time, he says, to provide incentives for conserving energy that are at least comparable to the incentives offered for increased production.

The other major contender for the Democratic nomination is Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo, who recently changed his political registration from Republican. Raimondo also is a strong candidate who has a track record of creating jobs. Raimondo would be especially effective on business and economic issues.

Kleeb, however, has the ability to inspire. Smart, focused and talented, he has great growth potential. The Journal Star editorial board believes Kleeb is best suited to carry the Democratic banner in the general election race for the U.S. Senate.


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Gimme A. Break wrote on May 8, 2008 9:22 am:
" Conserving energy is addressing the nations energy policy? Subsidies for employers? Mandated health coverage? Cut and run from Iraq? Hold discussions with Iraq neighbors? Who? Iran? Syria? All the other state sponsors of terrorism? Nice job Kleeb and nice job Journal Star...you should be very proud of your stance on these issues. It all sounds like bigger government, higher spending which means higher taxes and weakened nataional security. That's exactly what this country needs more of is a bunch of useless liberal ideas that do not, have not, and will not work. Kleeb should just get in his car and drive out of the state... oh wait. "

 bush and repubs grew govt wrote on May 8, 2008 10:03 am:
" I am proud the Lincoln Journal Star endorsed Scott Kleeb. He has what it takes to win statewide and bring some energy back not only into Democrats here but politics. And let's remember who grew government and has us in debt--Bush and his cabinet. Including Johanns who could have stood up for families but didnt and walked away from the farm bill. "

 Jeff wrote on May 8, 2008 10:52 am:
" What's wrong with saying a candidate has to "win" an endorsement. And what is the alternative to these "liberal" ideas? the stuff we've been suffering through for 8 years? The "cut taxes to the rich", support for big corporations and otherwise sit back and do nothing but overcommit our military with poor planning and strategy? People who don't have health coverage are costing all of us an extra premium - because the costs are shift to us. And the uninsured are threatening to close the doors of non-profit hospitals that must offer free care. Is that so difficult to undertand? And it is hurting our place in the global economy. Costs must be controlled, and the free market works directly opposite of that. Thanks Journal Star for an insightful pick. "

 Good Choice for now wrote on May 8, 2008 11:48 am:
" Good choice LJS, but will you support Kleeb over the career politician Johanns in the general election. Lets hope so. Johanns has done nothing for Nebraska in all of his political positions. He has made no major contributions, despite the many positions he has held. Lets hope Nebraska is mindful enough not to elect this guy again. "

 Wheres the beef wrote on May 8, 2008 11:50 am:
" How is Kleeb, who started working full-time for the first time in his life about 2 years ago, going to be an influential player in the Senate? His candidacy made sense for the House, but I don't see him carrying the gravitas that a senator needs in order to be taken seriously by his colleagues. "

 Brownhornet wrote on May 8, 2008 1:23 pm:
" Scott Kleeb is the right choice for the state. Nebraska needs some real leadership. I just hope in the general that folks take a good look at Kleeb and don't forget how Johans completely ignored the needs of farmers as Secretary of Agriculture.
"

 Ryan wrote on May 8, 2008 1:39 pm:
" Thank you, Journal Star. Kleeb will be a great Senator for Nebraska. "

 Independant wrote on May 8, 2008 2:11 pm:
" At least with the Democrats you know what your getting....For crying out loud, the Republicans are still claiming to be Conservative! "

 Liberal wrote on May 8, 2008 3:10 pm:
" If Liberal is the opposite of where America has been hijacked to the past 7 years, call me LIBERAL! "

 umm to Gimme A Break wrote on May 8, 2008 3:17 pm:
" You didn't read the article very carefully. Nowhere did it say that Kleeb endorsed an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, he opposes such a measure. Condi's been talking it up with Syria and Iran, so I don't think Kleeb's in the wrong to follow the same trek for diplomacy. We need to put more pressure on Russia and China to stop playing it soft with Iran and Syria and things would quickly improve. Go Kleeb!!! "

 Come On....... wrote on May 8, 2008 7:23 pm:
" Scott Kleeb was born with a golden spoon in his mouth, he is no different than any other politician or want to be politician! Besides if the LJS is for him that is a perfect reason to go the other way!!!! Don't be fooled by Kleebs appearance or tactics, everyone should look allot deeper he is not what he appears. "

 Sandhill raised. wrote on May 8, 2008 8:15 pm:
" Kleeb is a carpetbagger. He came to Nebraska and pretended to be a ranchhand. Now he is a college professor who has left his horses and cowboy costume behind so he can try to fool urban Nebraskans. Yes, he has a Kennedy-esque persona, but this is not Massachusetts. We like our representatives and senators to be kind of funky looking and independent. Real not pretenders. "

 kleeb wrote on May 8, 2008 8:33 pm:
" Plus, he's easy on the eyes.
"

 Yummy wrote on May 8, 2008 9:52 pm:
" This reminds me of the Bob Kerrey days. Some Nebraska men were jealous because women liked Kerrey. It sounds like posters are jealous of Kleeb. "

 George Bush wrote on May 8, 2008 10:14 pm:
" Why send a Republican in Democrat clothing to do the bidding of George Bush? Don't we already have a guy like that?? What a really bad endorsement by this paper as always. "

 To Sandhill raised wrote on May 9, 2008 2:17 am:
" Umm, I go to Hastings College, and trust me, Scott Kleeb has not given up his cowboy attire!!! There were days where he dressed up, but at Hastings the dress policy isn't that strict for professors, so sometimes I'd see him going to class wearing his cowboy boots, and wranglers, and hat! Also he heads back to the ranch on weekends to help out whenever he can, so he didn't just up and abandon his ranching job. Also, his cowboy costume was never a costume...even while at Yale, of all place, Kleeb would show up in cowboy gear, you can find that on the internet. "

 ted wrote on May 9, 2008 8:32 am:
" What is Kleeb's realworld or job experience? Politics is not about who is more appealing or more idealistic, it is negotiating and working on complex issues. Kleeb has no record of real work. "

 Uh right... wrote on May 9, 2008 1:20 pm:
" I don't care if he's "Easy on the eyes" or not. Will he be easy on the pocket-book?

If he's a Bush-backer than forget it. "

 Voice of Reason wrote on May 9, 2008 3:00 pm:
" Sandhills Raised. Get a new term. Most of the carpetbaggers were Republican appointees during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. They used their connections and one sided rules developed by the Republican policies to take advantage of the people. They carried their dirty laundry into the South in their carpet bags, but carried thier immoral gains out in them. Things really haven't changed too much in the last 140 years. "

 Ummm Ted wrote on May 9, 2008 3:36 pm:
" Experience may be important to one degree or another but....Look at who one of the most internationally experienced men in Washington is.......none other than Dick Cheney. "

 Shirley McGinn wrote on May 9, 2008 11:58 pm:
" Scott Kleeb is my cousin and he worked on our ranch as a true ranch hand.
He is the real deal. He lived with us for about 9 mo and then returned often to help and worked in the hay field 2 summers. I have seen Scott come it at night with my husband hot, dirty and dead tired. Please do not question his credentials as a ranch hand, and his knowledge of the troubles of the rancher. "

 Bleak outlook wrote on May 12, 2008 5:07 pm:
" It seems to me when Kleeb says something like " it's up to the Nebraska people to pave the future,"in his commecial, I feel what he is saying is, "I am all for raising taxes." If that's the case, what's new? Same ole same ole.
Nebraska is almost unaffordable and the Senior citizens are getting less and less of their hard earned Social security dollars back. And probably will lose it all together soon.
I think the future is pretty bleak, especially in Nebraska. "

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