This week, Chuck Hagel uses the "I" word again, Nebraska's Senators provide the key votes to save withdrawal provisions in the Iraq supplemental, the legislature considers expanding Omaha's City Council, Omaha's feeling green, Lee Terry jumps off the sinking ship, Hagel's mentor blasts him on the editorial pages, and Adrian Smith's running for President?
All that and more, on the flip.
2007 Elections:
Lincoln City Elections Tuesday
The Lincoln mayoral primary will be held Tuesday, April 3. The money race lead goes to Chris Beutler (D). Beutler stands at $79,973.10 cash on hand, while his chief opponent, Republican Ken Svoboda, stands at $23,000.67. Both are expected to advance to the general election.
Unicameral:
Death Penalty: More Debate to Come
The New Nebraska Network gives an account of the death penalty debate, expressing disappointment in Democrats Tom White and Russ Karpisek, and Republicans Arnie Stuthman and Tony Fulton for voting against the bill. Stuthman was the deciding vote, causing the bill to fail by a 24-25 tally. A new round of debate is expected to start soon on a compromise measure that would require aggravating circumstances to consider imposing the death penalty.
City Council: Is Bigger Better?
Paging Power brings us video of Ernie Chambers on LB 405, which would increase the size of the Omaha City Council from 7 to 9, prompted by Omaha's recent annexation of Elkhorn. The always-fiery Chambers rails on the bill, claiming that it will decrease minority representation on the council. I disagree, since the demographic realities of Omaha are so closely tied to the geographic realities - something Chambers exploited last year during the Omaha Public Schools controversy. It seems like a logical move from a number of angles, including minority representation. The further west district boundaries move, the more diluted minority influence will become.
Omaha:
Feeling Green
Just a heads-up to those of you wondering if Mike Fahey's a progressive, or if he'll be another Ben Nelson: Fahey's spearheading an effort to make Omaha greener.
NE-Sen:
The 'I' Word
Chuck Hagel's at it again, giving right wingers something to hate him for - once again suggesting the possibility that President Bush may be impeached. After giving Hagel some free career advice, I speculated that Chuck Hagel might be vulnerable to a challenge like Joe Lieberman was in 2006.
Nebraska Provides An Important Victory
Hagel and Nelson - not exactly close allies - provided the two key votes needed to keep the timeline for withdrawal in the Iraq supplemental bill. Hagel and Nelson had previously voted against the withdrawal provision, but voted to keep it in to send a message to President Bush that he needs to change course. Nebraska is coming around, slowly but surely, to the realization that this war must end.
"No place for blind hate."
Former Congressman John Y. McCollister, Hagel's mentor, fired off a harsh attack at Hagel in the Omaha World-Herald on Thursday. Kyle at the New Nebraska Network has this take:
In essence - looking at these statements - I'd go so far as saying that McCollister has just declared open season on Hagel's Senate seat. Hagel's friend and political mentor just said there's "no place" for him in Congress. If that's not an invitation to another prominent Republican to step-up and challenge Hagel, then I really can't imagine what would qualify as such.
The green light has been given. Gentlemen, start your engines. I still have a hard time seeing a legitimate primary challenge actually happening, but the implications from McCollister's letter are perfectly clear. There's really no mincing his words. They make quite the impression, and I'm sure Hagel got the message loud and clear.
NE-02
Like Rats From A Sinking Ship
Just one piece of news from our 2nd District this week, as John at UNO Dems brings us, Lee Terry has called for Alberto Gonzales' resignation. Terry voted with Republicans 97% of the time in the last Congress, and has been a reliably partisan vote so far in this Congress. So when they're losing folks like Lee Terry, the White House would be wise to cut bait.
NE-03
When we said this race was going to be a dogfight...
Smith Watch brings us the last week in Adrian Smith's ongoing battle for mediocrity:
- Smith voted against a bill that would "strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting." The bill passed 368-39.
- Smith voted against a bill to eliminate the U.S. Attorney loophole that was snuck in to the Patriot Act. It passed 329-78. Terry and Fortenberry voted for the bill.
- Smith voted against a bill to improve security on railroads and public transportation.
And more from the week before:
- Smith voted against providing low income housing to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
- Smith, of course, voted against the Iraq supplemental spending bill, which, among other things, included $3.1 billion in drought relief.
Keep on Spinning...
The NNN passes along an article from the North Platte Telegraph that portrays Smith Watch and the New Nebraska Network as people who spin facts to fit their own agenda. Using Adrian Smith's $140,000 disbursements to his father, reported by Smith Watch, as an example, the article implies that Lisa at Smith Watch and Kyle at the NNN engaged in dishonest reporting. But the questions were raised, and thanks to the research done by Smith Watch, they were answered.
Well, he couldn't possibly be any less inspiring than the rest of their candidates...
From the "Thank God It's April Fool's Day" file:
In another political story, Warren Buffett, long thought to be a Democrat, announced his endorsement of newly declared presidential candidate Adrian Smith, a freshman Republican congressman from Nebraska. Prior to being elected in 2006, Smith served on the City council in his hometown of Gering, Neb. (population: 7,751). Smith promises to strengthen the dollar and lessen U.S. dependence on foreign investment.