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Heineman likely won't take sides in affirmative action debate

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BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 12:52:00 pm CDT

Gov. Dave Heineman will likely not be taking sides on the affirmative action ban that is expected to be on the November ballot.

“I don’t feel as governor I have to take sides on every single issue,” said Heineman during a Wednesday news conference.

“It’s highly unlikely that I will (take a stand on the affirmative action ballot issue),” said Heineman after reporters continued to press for his opinion during a question and answer period.

Story Photo
Gov. Dave Heineman

The proposed constitutional amendment would ban  race- and gender-based affirmative action in government employment and higher education.

The governor has side-stepped repeated questions about the proposed constitutional amendment during the past few months, saying he hasn’t had time to study the issue.

This is  the first time Heineman has strayed from that script.

When asked about his thoughts on the issue, he talked in very general terms.

“I don’t think any of us want to see any job discrimination in our state and we want to provide  opportunities for every citizen in our state.”

The University of Nebraska is trying to expand enrollment and “every single person, regardless of race, who qualifies will get into the University of Nebraska,” he said.

But he wouldn’t give his personal opinion.

“It’s not my intention to get into the debate.” Instead Heineman said he will put his time and energy on other issues — education, job opportunities, efficient government.

But he did caution against extremist positions on the issue. 

“I hope we have a thoughtful discussion on this issue. And we don’t engage in discussion from the two extremes.

“There’s been a lot of hyperbole on both sides. Our citizens are smarter than that. They can figure out these issues. We don’t need to argue this issue or any issue from extreme positions.”

He said he had great faith and trust in Nebraskans.

They will research these issues,  and make a decision “consistent with their values,” he said.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com. 


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Way to lead wrote on August 27, 2008 1:10 pm:
" Gov. with all do respect you hold the top position in our state unlike Charles Barkley you are a role model and people should look up and value your opinion. There are other issue we understand that but to say that you don't need to take a stance on something as important as this, cmon that is really sad! I agree that we need to have civil discouse however to not see this as a matter that warrents your focus, that is a real slap in the face. Don't be fooled by the progress going on in Denver...people are still getting lied to and layed on and the fact that you stated during your campaign that you were for all people is proof that many of us that voted for you are now not just getting lied to but layed on! Great leadership! "

 sidewinder wrote on August 27, 2008 1:13 pm:
" I think that the Gov is sidestepping the issue - There is nothing worse than a leader who doesn't lead. Taking a stand, even if it is wrong, is better than no stand at all. This is nothing but political maneuvering and wishy washy governance. "

 Shocking wrote on August 27, 2008 1:40 pm:
" You mean Dave Heineman isn't taking sides on the issue? What a shocker. Like sleepy Dave says: “I don’t feel as governor I have to take sides on every single issue.” Yeah, what do you expect him to do, lead? "

 BC wrote on August 27, 2008 1:49 pm:
" Neither side appears to have made a good case. "

 Darren wrote on August 27, 2008 1:52 pm:
" he meant to say "I have no clue which way the wind is blowing on this yet so no way am I going to offer an opinion that might cost me votes or big money campaign contributions." Way to step up and be the leader you've always been Dave. "

 more straight talk.... wrote on August 27, 2008 2:07 pm:
" from the GOP. Leadership you can depend on! "

 JB wrote on August 27, 2008 2:27 pm:
" The govenor should be smart enough to be against this. A no brainer for a no brainer. Hasn't he got his "program" given to him on this one? "

 Darwin wrote on August 27, 2008 2:34 pm:
" A politician refuses to take sides on an amazingly divisive hot-button issue? Surely you must be kidding!
(No, and dont call me Shirly)

He is a role model, and he is elected based on his views on difficult subjects. Even if people dont like the position he takes, they will be more likely to respect him for taking a position. Wishy-washy "I dont want to say" answers just make people assume he is either weak or incompetent. Not a good stance for a politician. "

 Voice of Reason wrote on August 27, 2008 2:55 pm:
" Me thinks he's too busy going around the state getting his Republican candidates in the Legislature. Or he's too busy running his GOP candidate PAC to study issues that affect our state. So much for the nonpatisan legislature. What are outstate groups doing running for and against petitions in our state. Get them the heck out, Gov Dave. "

 Re JB wrote on August 27, 2008 3:14 pm:
" You are kidding that you think the gov would be against this, right? If you have any idea of what Dave Heineman thinks about Nebraska you know he would be for this 100%. Quit letting your own views distort what we think of our top notch governor. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 27, 2008 3:20 pm:
" ""The University of Nebraska is trying to expand enrollment and “every single person, regardless of race, who qualifies will get into the University of Nebraska,” he said.""

Only at the undergraduate level. Not to the law school, the medical school, other professional schools, or the Graduate College. "

 rumble grumble gurgle roar wrote on August 27, 2008 3:30 pm:
" what did you expect from a guy who backed into the office anyway? Sure he was elected state treasurer, but he was appointed lt gov to put him into the position to take over when Johanns bolted for a post in D.C. All Heineman is good for is cheese-filled tourism shots and attending events that are so vanilla that they don't make waves. "

 Voter wrote on August 27, 2008 4:35 pm:
" Coward.

Wait until Election Day to see which way the wind blows. Gosh, what an inspiring leader.

Coward. "

 WWTOD wrote on August 27, 2008 6:06 pm:
" All you Dave-bashers are probably the same people who had a fit when the Governor came out against the Omaha School District taking over Millard and other surrounding districts. "How dare he do such a thing, you cried... it's all political." Now he doesn't choose a side on an issue and you have another fit. Let's be honest, you aren't going to like him no matter what he does, so just let it drop and try and elect someone else next time around.

Sometimes leadership involves knowing when to stay silent, let things play themselves out, and address the reality of the situation at the time, rather than playing "what if's." "

 to WWTOD wrote on August 27, 2008 10:45 pm:
" Govenor Dave has been leading from the rear the entire time he's ben sitting in the govenors mansion. He doesn't have an opinion because the stae republican party hasn't told the mouth breather what to say yet. The only govenor in recent history worse is the quitter running for senate. "

 An observer wrote on August 28, 2008 8:02 am:
" Let's see...isn't this the guy, who during his campaign for governor, declared that free or reduced college tuition for children of illegal immigrants who had been in our public schools for years would be banned on his watch? I think we all know what side he would take on this. He's just politically sidestepping another hot potato because he hasn't taken a poll yet to see what he ought to say. "

 Outside the Box wrote on August 28, 2008 8:31 am:
" If Super Dave doesn't have an opinion then the Republican party must not have an official opinion - or at least no one has told Dave what it is. "

 Gov Watcher wrote on August 28, 2008 9:12 am:
" I thought we elected this man to lead our state. Instead, he stands by and lets out-of-staters come into Nebraska and try to alter our state's constitution. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 28, 2008 9:59 am:
" In fact, on Pete Ricketts urging, the Nebraska Republican Party voted last month at its convention to endorse the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative. I'm sure the Governor is well aware of this. "

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