We endorse Johanns for U.S. Senate
During Mike Johanns’ political career, the Journal Star has endorsed him for various offices starting at the local level on up to the statehouse.
We’ve never regretted it.
We feel confident about endorsing Johanns’ bid for the U.S. Senate.
Johanns would represent Nebraskans with fiscal prudence, common sense, civility and integrity.
One of his strengths is his hands-on knowledge of agricultural policy. Johanns just finished a nearly three-year stint in Washington as U.S. secretary of agriculture. This background, matched with his thorough understanding of the needs of Nebraska agriculture, positions Johanns to be exceptionally effective in Congress in helping the state’s farmers and ranchers.
It’s worth noting that as agriculture secretary, Johanns fought for reform of farm policy that would have benefited family farmers and reduced the cost of farm subsidies.
The reform Johanns proposed in farm policy — unfortunately, he was thwarted in the end by entrenched interests — exemplified the fiscal conservatism that Johanns has put into practice at every level of government.
Johanns wields a budget knife with extraordinary competence. His proposed budgets as governor, which came at the time of one of the biggest revenue shortfalls in the state’s history, were masterful displays of prioritization.
Johanns has promised to support giving the president line-item veto authority — regardless of which party the president might represent. Also, he said, “I will support a complete revision of the earmark process to ensure transparency. Earmarks have been added in the dead of night, and it is wrong and must come to an end.”
In the Senate, Johanns would be an effective voice for an energy policy that combines new drilling for oil with more reliance on renewable fuels, wind energy, electric vehicles and nuclear energy. He says he would support more research into cellulosic ethanol, which could be made from plants such as switchgrass.
Johanns supports the U.S. mission in Iraq. He believes troop levels should continue to decline as stability improves but wisely rejects “artificial” deadlines. He also thinks it is time for Iraq to begin paying for a greater share of reconstruction costs.
Also vying to replace Sen. Chuck Hagel are Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb and Green Party candidate Steve Larrick.
Johanns stands out with a proven record that inspires trust that he will be effective in Washington in addressing Nebraska priorities, and in addressing national problems ranging from misguided spending to energy policy. He wins the Journal Star’s endorsement for the U.S. Senate.
We’ve never regretted it.
We feel confident about endorsing Johanns’ bid for the U.S. Senate.
Johanns would represent Nebraskans with fiscal prudence, common sense, civility and integrity.
One of his strengths is his hands-on knowledge of agricultural policy. Johanns just finished a nearly three-year stint in Washington as U.S. secretary of agriculture. This background, matched with his thorough understanding of the needs of Nebraska agriculture, positions Johanns to be exceptionally effective in Congress in helping the state’s farmers and ranchers.
It’s worth noting that as agriculture secretary, Johanns fought for reform of farm policy that would have benefited family farmers and reduced the cost of farm subsidies.
The reform Johanns proposed in farm policy — unfortunately, he was thwarted in the end by entrenched interests — exemplified the fiscal conservatism that Johanns has put into practice at every level of government.
Johanns wields a budget knife with extraordinary competence. His proposed budgets as governor, which came at the time of one of the biggest revenue shortfalls in the state’s history, were masterful displays of prioritization.
Johanns has promised to support giving the president line-item veto authority — regardless of which party the president might represent. Also, he said, “I will support a complete revision of the earmark process to ensure transparency. Earmarks have been added in the dead of night, and it is wrong and must come to an end.”
In the Senate, Johanns would be an effective voice for an energy policy that combines new drilling for oil with more reliance on renewable fuels, wind energy, electric vehicles and nuclear energy. He says he would support more research into cellulosic ethanol, which could be made from plants such as switchgrass.
Johanns supports the U.S. mission in Iraq. He believes troop levels should continue to decline as stability improves but wisely rejects “artificial” deadlines. He also thinks it is time for Iraq to begin paying for a greater share of reconstruction costs.
Also vying to replace Sen. Chuck Hagel are Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb and Green Party candidate Steve Larrick.
Johanns stands out with a proven record that inspires trust that he will be effective in Washington in addressing Nebraska priorities, and in addressing national problems ranging from misguided spending to energy policy. He wins the Journal Star’s endorsement for the U.S. Senate.
Copyright © 2002-2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.