As Tom White moves toward a likely decision to challenge Lee Terry, Democrats are targeting the Republican congressman for his recent vote against supplementary funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghan
Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:00 am
Eyes right!
On Sarpy County.
As Tom White moves toward a likely decision to challenge Lee Terry, Democrats are targeting the Republican congressman for his recent vote against supplementary funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will launch radio ads in metropolitan Omaha's 2nd District this week urging listeners to "call Lee Terry (and) ask him why he voted against our troops."
Those ads are particularly directed at voters in Sarpy County, home of Offutt Air Force Base and the resident county for thousands of active duty and retired military personnel.
Sarpy County has been the Republican roadblock for Democratic congressional candidates in the 2nd District.
Democrats win Omaha, sometimes by substantial margins, and they now enjoy a voter registration edge throughout Douglas County.
But Sarpy County is the dependable Republican firewall they have been unable to scale.
During an interview in LaVista a week ago, White made it clear he's prepared to make an issue of Terry's voting record on support for the military and veterans issues if he enters the 2010 race.
The 60-second DCCC radio ads that will begin on Wednesday are centered on the patriotic emotions of next weekend's 4th of July celebration.
When George Bush was president, the ad states, Terry supported supplemental war funding with a declaration that "we must give our military every resource it needs."
However, the commercial notes, Terry voted against the most recent Iraq and Afghanistan funding bill sought by President Obama.
"Ask him what changed," the ad states.
Terry is one of seven House members targeted by Democratic campaign committee ads this week.
Repeated efforts to talk to Terry last week were unsuccessful. But we'll keep trying so he has an opportunity to respond.
Two days after White's earlier remarks, a news release from Terry's office pointed to the congressman's votes in support of four veterans benefits bills.
"Terry continues his unwavering support of veterans," the headline on the news release stated.
Hey, as long as you're talking to Steve Forbes on the phone, why not ask him about the economy?
"We're making progress," he says.
"Two things are slowing us up. The credit system is not fully working again. And the Fed has been rather passive for all its hoopla."
The Obama agenda could cause problems for the economy next year, Forbes says.
"Forced unionization, cap and trade legislation, de facto health care nationalization, higher taxes, all of those are fundamental issues that weigh on the economy," he says.
Forbes phoned last week to make the case against union organizing legislation.
The indirect target was Ben Nelson, whose critical swing vote may be needed to break a Republican filibuster against the bill in the Senate.
Finishing up:
* Mike Johanns will host seven roundtable discussions in Omaha and Lincoln this week to discuss health care reform.
* Nelson is in Poland discussing U.S. plans for a missile defense system. He'll also meet with Russian officials who oppose it.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.