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700 Democrats rally; Johanns issues plan

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By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Jun 08, 2008 - 06:55:08 pm CDT

Mike Johanns staked out his ground in this year’s Senate race Sunday as more than 700 Democrats gathered one block away for their county convention.

Johanns held a news conference to issue a 14-page document detailing his positions on issues ranging from illegal immigration to Iraq.

With their numbers enhanced by the outpouring for Sen. Barack Obama at last February’s presidential caucuses, Lancaster County Democrats turned out in force to greet Senate nominee Scott Kleeb and conduct party business.

Story Photo
Republican Senate candidate Mike Johanns. (Chris Bristol)

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Mike Johanns: Here's where I stand

Document detailing Mike Johanns' plan for the future....

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Presenting himself as the candidate of change at a time when most voters say they want the country to pursue a new direction, Kleeb told the delegates: “Status quo goes by the name of Mike Johanns.”

An hour earlier, Johanns made the case that he’s the candidate with “a consistent record of changing business as usual.”

As governor for six years and more recently U.S. secretary of agriculture, Johanns said, he has been successful in “working across the aisle” to achieve bipartisan results.

“I understand you want real change to take place in Washington, change that represents Nebraska’s values,” Johanns said during the news conference at Republican state headquarters.

“I don’t talk about change, I’ve done change,” he said.

Most of his positions on issues had been previously identified, although not fleshed out in such detail.

Among key proposals:

* Make the 2001 and 2003 Bush administration tax cuts permanent.

* Support a decline in U.S. combat troop levels in Iraq as the situation improves on the ground; oppose any artificial deadlines for withdrawal.

*  Repeal the federal estate tax.

*  Support provisions in trade agreements that protect U.S. jobs and impose environmental standards.

* Support a federal-state partnership to assist in providing health care coverage for the uninsured that assists in paying for private insurance premiums, co-payments and deductibles.

* Require illegal immigrants to return home before seeking legal re-entry into the country.

* Oppose U.S. talks with Iran without establishing preconditions.

* Oppose embryonic stem cell research beyond the stem cell lines previously authorized by the Bush administration.

Johanns said he differs sharply with Kleeb over a number of issues, including tax cuts, abortion rights and most recently a Senate global warming bill. Johanns opposes abortion except to save the life of the mother and opposed the Senate bill requiring major reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

 Speaking to Democrats at the Pershing Center, Kleeb said their numbers — twice as large as the number he encountered in populous Douglas County — can serve as the catalyst for victory in November.

Kleeb centered on the need for fundamental change.

The United States has accumulated a $9 trillion national debt, he said, and is conducting “a foreign policy that makes us weaker.”

 The Bush administration has adopted an energy policy that does not pursue alternative energy sources and endangers the environment, he said.

Meanwhile, growing numbers of Americans live without health care insurance, Kleeb said.

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


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Karole wrote on June 8, 2008 7:37 pm:
" So much for 'change', Mike Johanns. I blame you for the terrible condition of the Dept of Health and Human Services, I blame you for the terrible state of affairs at the Beatrice State Home, I blame you for the total lack of affordable community services for the mentally ill! You were going to "fix" all these problems, now they are all in worse shape than before you "fixed" them!! You were going to "fix" the Agriculture Dept as well!! What did you do??? You resigned your Governorship and left your poor sorry replacement Dave Heineman in charge, you took the plum job of Ag Sec, and failed to finish your President's term, fluking out as soon as another 'plum' position opened up, that as Senator!! Sorry, we do not need any more of your "fixes", or the same ol' same ol' stuff we have had eight long years of. Sorry, you need to go back and 'fix' the messes you 'fixed' before!! "

 John wrote on June 8, 2008 8:21 pm:
" Taking a look at the list of Johanns positions outlined in this article, one could apply many words to describe these them. However, change isn't one of them. The very essence of change is a departure from the status quo. All these positions, without fail, are squarely in line with the positions we saw from President Bush and his Republican Congress. One can engage in honest debate about these positions. But to portray these positions as change is just laughable and ridiculous. "

 whatever wrote on June 8, 2008 8:22 pm:
" Johanns has zero credibility on any issue. He's part of the problem not the solution. And let's not forget, HE'S a QUITTER. "

 What wrote on June 8, 2008 8:37 pm:
" Nebraska Values?? Does that mean more dictatorship, higher and higher and
higher taxes, tax everything you can think of??? No thank you! "

 No more Johanns wrote on June 8, 2008 9:14 pm:
" Can we all say, and I mean out loud: "Bushie Rhetoric". C'mon Mike, don't tell s that your more of the same plan is change. Oh, and by the way, would you be willing to sign a contract to complete the entire term should you be elected. Yeah, I thought not. "

 Great Job wrote on June 8, 2008 10:01 pm:
" Mr. Johanns,

Congrats on acomplishing such a strong farm bill as Ag. Secretery for your voters here in Nebraska! Oh wait, you never even got a farm bill to congress...my bad. Once again, never finished a job you start!!! "

 Change wrote on June 8, 2008 10:35 pm:
" Hahaha... what Johanns says represents change? Sounds to me like the same thing we have been hearing from Bush and company for the last 7 years. He doesn't break from his party on anything and it looks like he took the game plan straight from the GOP website. If he was somewhat independent (i.e. Iraq, immigration, etc..) I would think about voting for him. He's too much of the status quo and has quit every job he's had.. Sorry, I'm voting for Kleeb because I'm sick of the status quo. I'm also sick of the GOP thinking they are the only ones with "values". "

 JB wrote on June 8, 2008 10:39 pm:
" Bushman all the way. Where are his "own" stands on some issues? Sounds like what those who paid for him want him to think and say. "

 Not Original wrote on June 8, 2008 10:49 pm:
" This idea of issuing a booklet is so unoriginal. In fact, Chuck Hagel did the same thing in 1996 and it even had the exact same title. Hagel didn't live by 10% of what was in his "where I stand" propoganda. Neither will Johanns. It's a gimmick. Maybe the NE media can compare Hagel's "where i stand" with the Johanns version to see how much is verbatim feed corn for the cattle electorate in Nebraska. "

 USDA wrote on June 8, 2008 11:04 pm:
" He did nothing at USDA. "

 Ricky wrote on June 8, 2008 11:34 pm:
" Lots of reasons we don't want to see Johanns reach the Senate. (what are the chances he will want to keep the job for 6 years?).
He wants to give rich guys tax breaks, prohibit research that could help people in need, send illegals home (how would he do this anyway)?
Keep our guys in Iraq forever.
Why would we want this guy as Senator?

Go Kleeb!

Ricky from omaha "

 Independent wrote on June 8, 2008 11:46 pm:
" Looks like a lot like some of the positions that led this nation into the downward slide it is in all phases of the country. Maybe he will quit the campaign like he quits everything else before Mike finishes the job with these POSITIONS. I would rather vote for an employee at Wal-Mart instead of a Bush clone known as Mike Johanns. "

 hollister wrote on June 8, 2008 11:52 pm:
" Our parking lot at Pershing was packed, so I had to park across from the Republican Bunker while attending the County Democratic Party Convention. I didn't see any crowds gathered for the rollout of the former Governor/Ag Secretary's Greener Pastures Initiative. Must be sad to hold a press conference in an empty building. Down the steet, We The People gathered,780 strong, to organize and energize. So many new voices saying,"Yes We Can!" Words of the day---"We All Love Each Other...Right!!!" Word for the day--"Inclusivity!" Come join us. We are having truly the time of our lives. "

 Could care less wrote on June 8, 2008 11:57 pm:
" Guess what! I could care less McJoBush' position on ANY issue. No Bush lapdogs for this voter NO THANKS! They've steered us into the toilet and I'm looking for the party with the BRAINS to steer us out.

Obama and the dems in a landslide. You're either with us or agin us. And you're gonna be SERIOUSLY outnumbered this trip. "

 Mom wrote on June 9, 2008 12:04 am:
" Nebraska's Senate seat doesn't need to become another one of Johanns' temporary jobs; a stepping stone until something better comes along. The choice seems pretty simple to me. If you like the direction the current administration has taken our country, vote for Johanns. He's going to give you more of the same. If you think the American people deserve better, vote for Kleeb. We have an awesome opportunity this year to elect a highly capable and intelligent young man who will be an independent voice for Nebraskans. Come on Nebraska...let's get it right this time! "

 Substance wrote on June 9, 2008 12:04 am:
" For the past two years we have had a Democrat-controlled Congress. I see little "change" resulting from this control. Obama is campaigning on "change" in the White House. Amen, all for it, but this race is between Kleeb and Johanns for the US Senate. Perhaps the change being presented by Mike Johanns is an improvement on the only body in America with a lower approval rating than the President (Congress). Let us not be so fixated on change that we forget this office requires some substance. "

 Roger wrote on June 9, 2008 12:19 am:
" It'll be Johanns over Kleeb in a landslide, you know it, get used to it. "

 dr wrote on June 9, 2008 6:18 am:
" I would like to ask Scott Kleeb if this country is 9 trillion dollars in debr, how is the federal government going to fund health care??? It seems to me that he speaking out of both sides of his mouth. "

 If I were a rich man. . . wrote on June 9, 2008 6:26 am:
" I might like Mr. Johanns's policies which all favor the wealthy at the expense of less advantaged Nebraskans and Americans. But, even then I hope that if I were rich I would possess the magnanimity and compassion of Warren Buffet and denounce gross favors to the wealthy such as the Bush tax cuts and the elimination of the estate tax (over 99 percent of estates do not pay the tax) as obscene gestures during a time when the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen in the U.S., and the Bush administration has racked up record deficits and debt. Even his health care proposal does little but funnel taxpayer dollars to insurance corporations. This nation was built on the foundation of opposition to permanently entrenched aristocracies -- a historical detail that apparently slipped the attention of Mr. Johanns. "

 change blah wrote on June 9, 2008 6:42 am:
" "Change" is all well and good as long as we are changing for the better. I, for one, shudder to think about all the "change" that the Dems will bring if they gain larger majorities in Congress and claim the White House. They will change the country, no doubt...but it will not be for the better. There does need to be change, but not the brand that Kleeb and all the other lefties are proposing. "

 MarkyMark wrote on June 9, 2008 7:18 am:
" I for one am certainly sick of "Nebraska Values" as defined by these people. "

 Bob wrote on June 9, 2008 7:26 am:
" The "peter principle" caught up with Mr. Johanns long ago. He can talk the talk, but as we've seen in the past, he can't walk the walk. He lost my vote when he bailed on us as Governor. "

 zzzzzzzJohanns wrote on June 9, 2008 7:32 am:
" Please Nebraska Voters havent we had enough of this guy and his flunkies??? NO MORE Johanns!!!! Scott KLeeb WILL BRING a fresh perspective on OLD problems!! "

 JT wrote on June 9, 2008 7:45 am:
" Johanns wants to stay in Iraq, not talk to Iran, and keep tax cuts for the rich and he says he for change? Explain that to me. "

 Hey Roger wrote on June 9, 2008 10:00 am:
" How typical of our Nebraskan Republican colleagues to view themselves as always politically dominant. When Tom Osborn started his race for Govenor, he was considered a shoe-in too. But what happened? A couple years ago George W Bush had to rescue the failing congressional bid of Adrian Smith by holding a rally in Grand Island... in the HEAVILY REPUBLICAN THIRD DISTRICT!!! So you go ahead and sit back on your laurels, have a few beers and just pretend it won't happen. When its all over with I'd be glad to pick up your tab. "

 Late ODay wrote on June 9, 2008 11:40 am:
" What an unimaginative, backbench-perching, resume-stuffing yutz we have in Johanns! If he hit his thumb with a hammer, he couldn't ad lib "ouch" unless he read it from an RNC FAX. "

 An observer wrote on June 9, 2008 2:59 pm:
" Mike Johanns bailed on us Nebraskans when we needed him most. He left us with an extremely political governor who I swear puts his finger in the air every day to check and see which way the political winds are blowing...Jon Bruning suffers from the same malady. Sorry, Mike, you lost my vote when you decided to become a Washington insider. "

 MarkyMark wrote on June 9, 2008 3:43 pm:
" Could Nebraska be evolving out of the dark ages into a "Blue State"? I never thought I would live to see the day. "

 Chris wrote on June 9, 2008 3:44 pm:
" Any politician, in this day and age, who chooses to oppose any climate change bill is a fool. For whatever short term economic gain, there is nothing but catastrophic disaster in tow. Nebraska, and the US, should be a leader in wind and solar power. But alas, sand suckers like Mike continue to pocket the big pollution dollar...

Kleeb, I thank you. "

 Darn liberal press wrote on June 9, 2008 4:19 pm:
" So there were 780 people at Pershing and the Journal Star wrote an article about one guy jabbering away up the street? How was this an article about the Democratic County Convention? Did anything happen there?
Will we find out about it? "

 Mike wrote on June 9, 2008 4:35 pm:
" There is hardly a competition here, Kleeb just can't get the votes of those soldiers, old folks home, and other absentee voters. This is a slam dunk, people in NE support the war and fighting the Christian cause against Islam. And CO2 emissions are as irrelevant as Kleeb;s hot air in bringing climate change. Dems just aren't organized or care enough to get earlier voters babllots and assuring all their family members vote...Dem apathy will again bring the Republicans an easy victory in this RED state!!! "

 JB wrote on June 9, 2008 10:41 pm:
" Tax cut for the rich and the big corporations! What's new? Protect the insurance companies. Back the religous anti-family right wing. I guess he knows where is money is coming from. "

 hey dr wrote on June 9, 2008 11:36 pm:
" if we put a fraction of the funds used in iraq into health care we would have the best in the world and money left over for nose jobs. some people still wouldn't smell the bs we've been drenched in for the last 8 years but at least their noses would be pretty. "

 Alan wrote on June 10, 2008 1:16 pm:
" Kleeb seems like a likeable guy, I may even vote for him. I wonder about this "change" though.

In 2006 the Democrats promised us change as they took over both houses of congress. Then, the housing market was booming, inflation and unemployment were low, gas was under $2 per gallon and food was affordable. Contrasting with today, I'm just not sure I can afford anymore of the democrats change. "

 Hold On wrote on June 10, 2008 4:55 pm:
" Mike, that just shows how the Christian right are a bunch of racists. "the Christian cause against Islam" is calling for world war III and I would definitely not be on your side. I know that not all Christians feel this way, but it seems that the most devout have the most hate. This is true with any religion. I am a Christian and have a deep respect for Islam and its people, as I am sure Mr. Kleeb does. I am also in the science field, and talk to anyone in it and they will tell you the real dangerous threat of global warming and pollution altogether. The democrats will be out this election voting for a change, so it will be closer than most think. "

 Hey Alan wrote on June 10, 2008 8:50 pm:
" What about when Clinton was in office, the economy was booming and the government ran with a surplus? Maybe it's not the Democrats and their lessthan two years of dealing with a lame (in more ways than one) president. Maybe there is something else afoot? Like today when Republicans blocked the repeal of tax incentives for oil companies based on their record 36+ billion dollars of profits in the last 3 month of 2007. It's also interesting that you say gas was so inexpensive two years ago as I checked my records and was already paying over $2 a gallon in 2005, with Republicans in control of the legislative and executive branches of the government, as they were when we began the horrific folly of invading Iraq. Good call Alan, looks like you have it pegged. Not sure what it is but you got it pegged. "

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