Gov. Sarah Palin will campaign in Nebraska
OMAHA -- Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will campaign in Nebraska on Sunday, campaign officials said.
The Alaska governor will headline a 6 p.m. rally at Omaha's Civic Auditorium Sunday, the campaign of Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced Saturday. Tickets aren't required.
Republican Senate candidate Mike Johanns said McCain needed to give Nebraska ``a little attention,'' and called the visit ``good news.''
``I think it has everything to do with the fact that they want to sweep Nebraska, and they can do it,'' Johanns said.
Nebraska has given its five electoral votes to the GOP candidate in every presidential election since 1964.
Presidential candidates rarely visit Nebraska because Republicans have been so dominant. They enjoy a 178,000-voter advantage over Democrats in registered voters.
But this year, Democratic nominee Barack Obama's campaign is targeting the state's 2nd District, which includes Omaha, in hopes of winning an electoral vote. The state is one of just two — Maine is the other — that can split its electoral votes, although it's never happened.
The vote would be essential to victory if the election ended in a 269-269 electoral tie, neither candidate reaching the needed 270 electoral votes.
The Obama campaign is opening its second office in Omaha, while McCain has so far relied on a volunteer effort in the state.
McCain held a fundraiser in Ashland in July, while Obama hasn't been back to Nebraska since a rally in the week before February's Democratic caucuses.
Erin Fitzgerald, Nebraska spokeswoman for the Obama campaign, said there were no announced visits by Obama or running mate Joe Biden to the state as of Saturday. Such announcements are usually made a few days in advance, she said.
``We are focusing our efforts on our unprecedented phone and door canvass operation, as well as the historic announcement of our second office in Omaha,'' Fitzgerald said.
The Alaska governor will headline a 6 p.m. rally at Omaha's Civic Auditorium Sunday, the campaign of Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced Saturday. Tickets aren't required.
Republican Senate candidate Mike Johanns said McCain needed to give Nebraska ``a little attention,'' and called the visit ``good news.''
``I think it has everything to do with the fact that they want to sweep Nebraska, and they can do it,'' Johanns said.
Nebraska has given its five electoral votes to the GOP candidate in every presidential election since 1964.
Presidential candidates rarely visit Nebraska because Republicans have been so dominant. They enjoy a 178,000-voter advantage over Democrats in registered voters.
But this year, Democratic nominee Barack Obama's campaign is targeting the state's 2nd District, which includes Omaha, in hopes of winning an electoral vote. The state is one of just two — Maine is the other — that can split its electoral votes, although it's never happened.
The vote would be essential to victory if the election ended in a 269-269 electoral tie, neither candidate reaching the needed 270 electoral votes.
The Obama campaign is opening its second office in Omaha, while McCain has so far relied on a volunteer effort in the state.
McCain held a fundraiser in Ashland in July, while Obama hasn't been back to Nebraska since a rally in the week before February's Democratic caucuses.
Erin Fitzgerald, Nebraska spokeswoman for the Obama campaign, said there were no announced visits by Obama or running mate Joe Biden to the state as of Saturday. Such announcements are usually made a few days in advance, she said.
``We are focusing our efforts on our unprecedented phone and door canvass operation, as well as the historic announcement of our second office in Omaha,'' Fitzgerald said.
Copyright © 2002-2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.