Kerrey hails added Obama effort in Nebraska

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey said Friday the Obama campaign’s decision to open a second office in Omaha is evidence Nebraska is in play.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama is giving Nebraskans “the opportunity to participate in this presidential election in a way that we haven’t had since 1968,” Kerrey said.

“I am really enthusiastic about Sen. Obama’s commitment to Nebraska and his determination to make the case to Nebraskans,” Kerrey told a telephone news conference.

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Bob Kerrey (AP file)

Bob Kerrey (AP file)

After one term as governor, Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001. He now is president of New School University in New York.

Although Kerrey supported New York Sen. Hillary Clinton during this year’s Democratic presidential primaries, he said he hasn’t “felt as strongly about a presidential candidate” as he does about Obama at this time.

“There’s an urgent need to change,” Kerrey said. “Our economic future (and) our standing in the world are at stake.”

Nebraskans have not experienced a competitive presidential campaign since the 1968 Democratic primary election that Robert Kennedy won.

The state has not handed a presidential electoral vote to the Democratic nominee since 1964, when Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in Nebraska.

Since then, Nebraska has decided to allot one of its five electoral votes to the winner of each of the state’s three congressional districts while awarding two to the statewide victor.

Nebraska Republicans are conducting GOP presidential nominee John McCain’s campaign in the state. Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub is McCain’s state director.

The Obama campaign has decided to concentrate its effort on winning metropolitan Omaha’s 2nd District vote.

In addition to its headquarters at 343 N. 76th St., the campaign will open a second office at 5032 Ames St., on Wednesday.

“We have an incredible opportunity in the 2nd District,” said John Berge, the Obama campaign’s state director.

“We are expanding operations in order to make sure we cover each and every corner,” he said.

Berge said the campaign decided to focus on the Omaha district rather than spread its resources into Lincoln and elsewhere in the state because Omaha provides “a better opportunity to ramp up quickly and reach voters quickly.”

The 2nd District is confined to Douglas County and a portion of Sarpy County.

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