Nebraska Democrats could ride the high tide of "a sea change" in national politics with Barack Obama captaining the ship, Sen. Ben Nelson said Saturday.
DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, June 20, 2008 7:00 pm
FREMONT — Nebraska Democrats could ride the high tide of “a sea change” in national politics with Barack Obama captaining the ship, Sen. Ben Nelson said Saturday.
“Change is in the air,” Nelson told an optimistic gathering of more than 500 Democrats at the party’s state convention.
“2008 is our turn,” he said.
As Nebraska Democrats vigorously contended — sometimes arguing, sometimes almost wrestling — for 24 coveted delegate slots at the national convention, Nelson looked ahead to the possibility that Obama could snare a presidential electoral vote or two in the state.
“I think it’s possible,” he said during an interview following his speech to the party conclave at Midland Lutheran College.
“If there are positive (polling) numbers for him in Nebraska,” Nelson said, “I think it would be wise for him to campaign here.
“I think there is an overwhelming desire for change.”
It’s clearly reflected, Nelson said, in recent polls that show Obama within reach of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in Nebraska’s 1st and 2nd Congressional districts.
Nebraska awards an electoral vote to the winner of each of the state’s three congressional districts along with two electoral votes for the statewide victor.
Eastern Nebraska’s 1st District includes Lincoln; the 2nd District is composed of metropolitan Omaha.
Delegates elected party officers during a day-long session and heard from their three House nominees.
More than 300 Democrats joined Ted Sorensen, the Nebraskan who served as President Kennedy’s chief aide and speechwriter, at a sold-out dinner at the convention site Saturday night.
Lincoln attorney Vic Covalt was elected to succeed Steve Achelpohl of Omaha as state party chairman following the November election.
Jane Erdenberger of Omaha was chosen as the party’s new national committeewoman, succeeding Kathleen Fahey of Omaha.
National Committeeman Vince Powers of Lincoln was re-elected to his post.
“America, we need a change, and we need it now,” 1st District congressional nominee Max Yashirin of Lincoln told the convention.
“Politics-as-usual has failed to address the problems we face today.”
Jim Esch of Omaha, the 2nd District nominee, said five-term Republican Rep. Lee Terry represents more of the same.
“He’s been there 10 years,” Esch said. “He’s a lock-step member of his party. Nothing is going to change.”
Nelson took a swipe at Republican Senate nominee Mike Johanns during his speech to the convention.
The former governor and recently U.S. secretary of agriculture is “always looking for the next hill to climb,” Nelson said. “But he never finishes climbing” the hill he’s on.
Johanns resigned as governor to accept President Bush’s Cabinet appointment, then left that post to seek the Senate seat, Nelson said.
“Nebraskans don’t like it when people don’t finish the job they started,” he said.
Responding in Lincoln, Johanns campaign communications director Sarah Pompei said: “Mike Johanns believes this kind of personal attack is what is wrong with Washington because partisan bickering does not serve Nebraskans.”
Johanns presented Congress with a farm bill that included “a critical safety net (for) Nebraska’s farmers” nearly a year and a half before Congress acted on farm legislation, Pompei said.
Nelson said he believes Obama will give Democratic candidates in the state a boost in November.
“For the first time in a long time, the head of the ticket will help Democrats all the way down,” he said.
Democrats will complete their convention today by adopting a party platform and hearing from Senate nominee Scott Kleeb.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.