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Obama signals he'll compete in Nebraska

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By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Aug 04, 2008 - 12:00:03 am CDT

Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign made it clear over the weekend it plans to compete in Nebraska.

John Berge, who has worked for Nebraska Democrats Ben Nelson, Bob Kerrey and Jim Exon, was named Nebraska state director for Obama’s campaign.

“John brings the expertise of Nebraska, which will allow us to be competitive in Nebraska as we wage an aggressive campaign and compete for every vote,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

Story Photo
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., pauses for a moment while speaking at the National Urban League Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008. (Jae C. Hong)

“The network of volunteers and grassroots energy built up during the historic primary season has given us an enormous and unprecedented opportunity in the general election,” Plouffe said.

The Obama campaign is expected to assign a field staff to metropolitan Omaha’s 2nd Congressional District in a bid to snare at least one of Nebraska’s five presidential electoral votes.

Obama’s effort in the district will be buttressed by extensive TV advertising on Omaha stations designed to penetrate Iowa, a battleground state.

Nebraska awards one electoral vote to the winner of each of its three congressional districts while assigning two votes to the statewide winner.

Berge, who most recently served as executive director of the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation, has been politically active in all three districts.

Obama’s “message of changing the direction of the country and unifying us to address the serious challenges we face is resonating with Nebraskans in a way that has not happened in at least two generations,” Berge said.

Nebraska has not handed an electoral vote to a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964 when Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater and all the electoral votes were awarded statewide.

Obama won Nebraska’s first Democratic presidential caucuses last February, earning a vast majority of the state’s delegates to the party’s national nominating convention.

In May, Obama edged Sen. Hillary Clinton in a presidential primary vote that had no impact on delegate selection.

Obama made one Nebraska appearance prior to the caucus, addressing a rally at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain visited Nebraska last month for a fund-raising event at the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland.

Recent polling figures showed McCain leading in all three Nebraska districts, but Obama within single digits of McCain in Omaha and in the 1st District, which includes Lincoln.

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

 

 


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It might just happen.. wrote on August 4, 2008 12:49 am:
" I'm certainly not going to hold my breath for it, but it seems to me that there are many ex-republicans (including people like me who voted for Bush) that have indicated they will vote for Obama. It will also be interesting to see if Bob Barr being on the ballot hurts John McCain here at all. My initial guess is the effect would be minimal but it's hard to say. "

 Junior wrote on August 4, 2008 1:32 am:
" I'd be surprised if Obama launches a substantial campaign in Nebraska. It's pretty clear that Nebraska doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things with it's paltry 5 electoral votes, even with a theoretical split. I am interested, though, in how Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain choose to deal with low-population States and our concerns. There are clearly few political points to be gained from us, but the sincerity of each candidate might be judged on how much respect Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Kansas receive as a whole from each. "

 lets go wrote on August 4, 2008 5:39 am:
" Bring it on Barry! "

 WCG wrote on August 4, 2008 7:49 am:
" I'm sure that Barack Obama will be competitive in Nebraska. After the past eight years of the worst presidential administration in U.S. history, even we can't want to 'stay the course.' Indeed, what HAVEN'T the Republicans broken recently?

And John McCain has absolutely nothing to offer. He's flip-flopped so many times that even he's forgotten what his positions are supposed to be. And with nothing positive to offer voters, he's taken on Karl Rove's acolytes and has started to wage the absolute lowest of negative campaigning. Are we really dumb enough to let that work AGAIN???

But the fact is, if people give Barack Obama half a chance, they'll discover what a clear-thinker he is. Yeah, he doesn't look like most of us, but there's a reason why this guy has excited America. If anyone can pull us out of the hole Bush has dug for us, Obama can (though, of course, he can't do it without us). "

 Al wrote on August 4, 2008 8:24 am:
" If Nebraskans want realy change, they will NOT vote for Obama and will cast of the chains of the two party system that got us into this mess. I urge all of you to take a look at the Green Party if change is what you really want. "

 Mark wrote on August 4, 2008 8:43 am:
" Despite his attempt, many Nebraskan's see right through Obama's hot air and will not vote for him. People will common sense see a guy who thinks he knows more than our military commanders with no experience himself to lead us in a time of war. Not the kind of leader America needs at this time. Moat Nebraskan's vote with facts and common sense, and no spin or hot air will change that. "

 Mark wrote on August 4, 2008 8:44 am:
" Despite his attempt, many Nebraskan's see right through Obama's hot air and will not vote for him. People will common sense see a guy who thinks he knows more than our military commanders with no experience himself to lead us in a time of war. Not the kind of leader America needs at this time. Most Nebraskan's vote with facts and common sense, and no spin or hot air will change that. "

 obama wrote on August 4, 2008 9:16 am:
" Just promise the farmers all kinds of programs, mandated ethanol, subsidized ethanol, and increase the plethora of existing programs and you will win Nebraska. You know, the conservative, self-reliant, and independent state. "

 No way wrote on August 4, 2008 9:45 am:
" I'm sure Obama is excited to come to Nebraska and campaign to all the
cows and corn. They don't even come to the state capitol because theres
nothing here. They go to progressive and growing areas like Omaha, notice
they always stop in Omaha. Get it!!! Anyway you vote for Obama and boy
will you see CHANGE! It'll be a world you never imagined and wished Bush
was back in office!!!! Enjoy you high Nebraska taxes and Obama's taxing
everything to the hilt! You'll see businesses fly overseas or go out
of business altogether. By the time you get done paying for the $5,000.00
he's going to give to EVERY American and give everybody health insurance
and you name it, you'll be screaming HELP!!!! And blaming everybody else
why they voted for him. "

 Chris wrote on August 4, 2008 9:50 am:
" There may be some Nebraska Republicans considering a vote for Obama, but I'm sure they'll change their minds when they learn what a radical left-winger he is. Barack Obama has nothing to offer for conservatives, so I'm sure that most of them will hold their noses and vote for McCain in November. "

 pac wrote on August 4, 2008 9:50 am:
" Obama's got my vote! Hope he or Michelle make another appearance in NE! "

 umm wrote on August 4, 2008 10:29 am:
" McCain has NOTHING to offer conservatives. "

 Left wing wrote on August 4, 2008 10:38 am:
" Obama is hardly the far left.. Even if he is, after the last 8 years, I will gladly take a "liberal." "

 hope and change wrote on August 4, 2008 10:41 am:
" There is his speech. Change is not always good if it is worse (which it would be). Stop spouting platitudes and tell the public what you are really about. Reperations, full fledged socialism, UN controlled military, very high taxes, and the nanny state in full control of your everyday lives. Stop with the slogans. "

 Dear hope and change wrote on August 4, 2008 11:35 am:
" Obama has told and does tell the public what he is about but you might have to dig for it. You will need to get your information from someplace other than the usual right-wing demagogues. You suggest, "Reperations, full fledged socialism, UN controlled military, very high taxes, and the nanny state in full control of your everyday lives." but none of this is what Obama is about, rather this is what McCain's strategists and the right-wingnuts would like you to talk about - the fear factor. Mainstream media, whether the particular outlet supports him or not, is not the best place for any in-depth reading, they all seem to like the 'hope and change' sound bytes. If you are really interested in thinking about the state we are in and Obama's ideas (or McCain's for that matter) the information is there. To be a responsible voter you will have to make some effort to read and work to understand what either of these candidates is about but the information is there. As an Independent, I am not totally enamored with Obama, but McCain is not a good enough pilot to bring us out of this tailspin the Bush administration has sent us into. If you are conservative, just remember most of the 'right' have long given up true conservative ideals for some other scam and Obama is not near as liberal as some would make him out to be. In fact one of the liberal blogs have criticized him since he started campaigning because of the conservative positions of his economic advisers.
Good Luck! "

 uh...uh...CHANGE wrote on August 4, 2008 12:06 pm:
" Wow, I better put air in my tires and get a tune-up so I can save all of that gas money to go out and vote for him (NOT!). Give me a break... "

 Ex-GOP wrote on August 4, 2008 1:15 pm:
" I gave up on the republican party a few years ago, especially the neo-conservative agenda. For those of you think voting McCain is in your best interest, all I have to ask is Are you better off than you were before Bush and do you think the country is on the right track? If so, then vote for McCain because it sounds like more of the same ideas. If not, then at least hold your nose and vote for Obama. Obama is far from perfect, but I can't deal with the hypocrisy of the republican party anymore. For the first time in my life, I will be voting for a democratic president. I will do so with a smile on my face too. "

 happygael wrote on August 4, 2008 1:45 pm:
" the fact that he is going to campaign here does not leave me with a creepy feeling in my legs, as it did with the TV newsman. "

 Alan wrote on August 4, 2008 2:09 pm:
" Ron Paul won a good share of the vote in Nebraska. The fact that the republican party has ignored the Paul supporters leaves the door wide open for Obama. Mean while Bob Barr offers a real choice. Voting for the lesser of two evils remains a vote for evil. "

 mike wrote on August 4, 2008 2:48 pm:
" hope and change: Reperations? Full fledged socialism? Are you serious? Did you just make that up? Or did you have to hear it on the TV first? Uhg. "

 What wrote on August 4, 2008 4:00 pm:
" Lets see, Obama voted to NOT take oil out of the oil reserve. Guess what.
TODAY he's campaigning and blaring all over TV that "we should take oil
out of the reserve, that would lower prices fast." Talk about flip-flopping. He's say anything that people want to hear and get his self
elected. Wake up you people. He flip flops all the time. First he's
immediately going to bring all the troops home, then he's going to bring
them home in 16 months. He's even going to do what HE wants to do
regardless of what General Petrais thinks is necessary. Good grief, are
you people blind? He even took the American flag of his plane for a logo
and put HIS OWN logo on his plane!!!! "

 do the math wrote on August 4, 2008 6:55 pm:
" Barry Obama is a junior state senator from Chicago who has two more years experience than I do—and I’m not even running for president.

Even though McCain ain’t my Mr. McDream candidate, he kills the boy wonder from an experience standpoint, and I’ll go with age and understanding over youth and inexperience any day.

Here’s a simple little executive breakdown of our two candidates:

John McCain
Congress: 26 years
Military: 22 years

Barack Obama
Congress: 143 days
Military: 0 "

 What is wrong with wrote on August 4, 2008 7:20 pm:
" you people? Both candidates tell people what they want to hear. McCain is just as bad if not worse than Obama becuase he uses fear instead of the truth. It's very simple, if you want 4 more years of Bush policies vote for McCain; if not vote for Obama. "

 CW wrote on August 5, 2008 3:00 am:
" Yeah, I mean both are saying what the people "want" to hear. Obama is just about as far left as people are saying (not quite socialist) and McCain is no conservative. So...what does that mean? Move to the middle! Both are shamelessly pandering for votes, saying the other is smearing the other one after they both pledged to run honorable campaigns. When are people going to get it that NO POLITICIAN has their best interests at heart. They have sold our votes overseas for years so they can profit and so their cronies can profit. Wake up people! "

 Exactly wrote on August 5, 2008 7:42 am:
" Do the math you are EXACTLY right. Obama has nothing on McCain. One has to win. Let the lesser of the two Evils get in there. We would be worse off then we are now if Obama gets in there. "

 Re wrote on August 5, 2008 8:44 am:
" Interesting concept. Since Military experience is high on your list of important qualifications for president, Does this mean you voted for Kerry and Gore over Bush? "

 John wrote on August 5, 2008 10:41 am:
" This is the election for the Democrats to get some electoral votes from Nebraska. Would be great to show we have "brains". "

 Dr Juan wrote on August 5, 2008 11:10 am:
" Even if Obana takes one of those electoral votes from the GOP in the General Election, it will be hailed as a victory in this Really Red State.

What plays out on the media is this: angry old white man snaps at heals of young handsome visionary. McCain has become McNegative and its a sad sad day to see what GOP party hacks are doing to this distinguished, elder statesman and war hero. "

 voting dem equals brains wrote on August 5, 2008 12:37 pm:
" Huh? So voting for the political party that has been hijacked by MoveOn, LaRasa and other radical groups means you are smart? Who cares about political party affiliation. I vote based on the candidate. In my voting life I have voted about 50/50 republican/dem. Let the person with the best ideas win. If your candidate doesn't win, it doesn't mean the voters are "stupid" it just means the country believes the other person is a better fit. Take your elitism elsewhere. "

 Nina wrote on August 5, 2008 3:07 pm:
" Here's some more 'do the math' trivia games: Senator with the worst attendance record in this spring's session: McCain! Senator who has introduced a bill, then voted against it - McCain! Senator who is so pro-Bush he has voted with Bush 95% of the time - McCain! Senator who has carried on with a girlfriend for several months while married to another - McCain! (You can read the court records on his divorce proceedings, if you don't believe me.) If Republicans hollered, "Impeach" about Clinton, why are they considering McCain, who has indulged in similar behavior? Who has run a positive campaign, because he has positive ideas and many assets to rely on, rather than relying on bashing his opponent? Well, that would be Obama. Who has introduced more bills, and never voted his own bill down? Again, that would be Obama. "

 Gunnar wrote on August 5, 2008 3:10 pm:
" I concur that Bush has not been the best President but, I don't agree he is the worst in history. You must have heard that on CNN or some other left wing media outlet. 52,000 dead US soldiers in Vietnam would probably give Johnson that title hands down. "

 Good ol boyz wrote on August 5, 2008 3:34 pm:
" Do The Math & Exactly make my point for me...why would we want a government lifer like McCain? We need some new ideas and perspectives if we want things to change for the better. "

 raise my taxes wrote on August 5, 2008 9:12 pm:
" Please Barry, raise my taxes, since everything but my paycheck has gone up I don't feel that I am contributing enough. "

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