Senate race heats up as Kleeb, Raimondo launch bids
Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) -- Democrats Tony Raimondo and Scott Kleeb criticized their presumed Republican U.S. Senate opponent on Monday but also raised questions about each other's experience and background.
Kleeb, a Yale-educated former ranch hand who teaches history at Hastings College, faces Raimondo, a longtime Columbus industrialist with extensive ties to the state's business community. Neither man has held public office, and each has until the May 13 primary to win over Nebraska Democrats.
Raimondo, 68, formally launched his campaign Monday in Columbus.
He said the presumptive GOP candidate, former Gov. Mike Johanns, has spent the past 25 years in government while he's has spent the past 40 years as a business leader.
Raimondo also compared his years of business experience as CEO of Behlen Manufacturing with Kleeb's background in education.
"I think people will just continue to look at (Kleeb's) experience versus mine," Raimondo said. "I think he's had the majority of his experience in education."
Kleeb has two master's degrees and a doctorate in history from Yale University.
The 32-year-old Kleeb said Raimondo has a "fundamental question to answer" about why he switched parties.
Kleeb, who lost to Republican Adrian Smith in the 2006 race for the 3rd District House seat, made his Senate run official Monday morning at the Capitol when he filed papers.
Raimondo was a Republican until December, when he switched parties, saying he was convinced he couldn't raise enough money to win the GOP primary against Johanns.
Kleeb, who ran stronger than expected but still finished 10 percentage points behind Smith, said he's convinced Nebraskans are looking for "something new, something fresh."
He cited the surge of political excitement among young people that has been evidence in the presidential race.
"What we're seeing is the rebirth of engagement politics," Kleeb said.
Raimondo said he became a Democrat because he realized it was the party of change and fiscal discipline.
He said he's a moderate and will work to strengthen the middle class and with small- and mid-sized businesses.
Johanns faces a primary challenge from Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn but is the odds-on favorite in the Republican contest and will be difficult to beat in the general election. He stepped down as U.S. agriculture secretary in September to run for the Senate seat, which will be vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel, who isn't seeking re-election.
"Mike Johanns is the only candidate in this race with proven experience of delivering tax relief and protecting Nebraska values," said Chris Peterson, Johanns campaign manager. "There is a sharp contrast between Mike Johanns proven, tested and trusted record as governor and as a member of the president's cabinet when compared to his Democrat opponents."
Two other Republicans -- Attorney General Jon Bruning and former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub -- left the Senate race when faced with trying to beat Johanns in the primary.
"Only someone adept in the ways of Washington would ask voters to forget his record in support of (President) Bush's amnesty for illegal immigrants because he is running for office again," said Raimondo, who said he opposes amnesty and that the U.S. needs to secure its southern border.
Johanns faced criticism in the Republican primary for campaigning as agriculture secretary for President Bush's failed immigration legislation, which offered a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants.
Peterson said Johanns opposes amnesty and supports securing the border.
"His position was clear from the moment he returned to Nebraska to run for U.S. Senate," he said.
Kleeb said Johanns is "part of the very system that's gotten us to the place we are now" and said Johanns "walked away" from the federal farm bill at a critical time -- as it was being negotiated.
Both Democrats also referred to the approval Johanns gave while agriculture secretary to close ten federal Farm Service Agency offices in Nebraska.
Peterson said it was Congress that imposed plans for the Agriculture Department to cut costs. A committee made up of Nebraskans recommended which offices to close, and Johanns signed off on the plan.
Peterson also criticized the early tone of the Democratic campaigns.
"Both candidates have taken a page directly from the old-style politics playbook -- attack, attack, attack," he said. "Nebraskans are tired of that kind of politics."
Both Raimondo and Kleeb have a steep hill to climb for fundraising. Johanns has already raised $1.5 million, helped by a visit in December from President Bush.
"I raised more than a million dollars last year running in the most Republican district in Nebraska," Kleeb said when asked whether he was concerned.
Raimondo said he would invest $250,000 to $500,000 of his own money to start his campaign but said his investment would be limited because "I believe you have to earn it."
"I don't believe in what Pete Ricketts did," Raimondo said, referring to the Republican's investment of $12 million in his 2006 loss to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, a friend of Raimondo.
Raimondo said he's not familiar with the ways of Washington but has experience in the real world.
"The far left and the far right serve their purpose, but it is the moderate center that advances legislation and seeks compromise," Raimondo said. "That is where I want to be."
Associated Press reporter Nate Jenkins in Lincoln contributed to this story.
On the Net:
Raimondo campaign: http://www.raimondo2008.com
Mike Johanns for Senate: http://www.mikejohanns2008.com
Pat Flynn for Senate: http://www.patflynnforsenate.com
Scott Kleeb: http://www.scottkleeb.com
Kleeb, a Yale-educated former ranch hand who teaches history at Hastings College, faces Raimondo, a longtime Columbus industrialist with extensive ties to the state's business community. Neither man has held public office, and each has until the May 13 primary to win over Nebraska Democrats.
Raimondo, 68, formally launched his campaign Monday in Columbus.
He said the presumptive GOP candidate, former Gov. Mike Johanns, has spent the past 25 years in government while he's has spent the past 40 years as a business leader.
Raimondo also compared his years of business experience as CEO of Behlen Manufacturing with Kleeb's background in education.
"I think people will just continue to look at (Kleeb's) experience versus mine," Raimondo said. "I think he's had the majority of his experience in education."
Kleeb has two master's degrees and a doctorate in history from Yale University.
The 32-year-old Kleeb said Raimondo has a "fundamental question to answer" about why he switched parties.
Kleeb, who lost to Republican Adrian Smith in the 2006 race for the 3rd District House seat, made his Senate run official Monday morning at the Capitol when he filed papers.
Raimondo was a Republican until December, when he switched parties, saying he was convinced he couldn't raise enough money to win the GOP primary against Johanns.
Kleeb, who ran stronger than expected but still finished 10 percentage points behind Smith, said he's convinced Nebraskans are looking for "something new, something fresh."
He cited the surge of political excitement among young people that has been evidence in the presidential race.
"What we're seeing is the rebirth of engagement politics," Kleeb said.
Raimondo said he became a Democrat because he realized it was the party of change and fiscal discipline.
He said he's a moderate and will work to strengthen the middle class and with small- and mid-sized businesses.
Johanns faces a primary challenge from Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn but is the odds-on favorite in the Republican contest and will be difficult to beat in the general election. He stepped down as U.S. agriculture secretary in September to run for the Senate seat, which will be vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel, who isn't seeking re-election.
"Mike Johanns is the only candidate in this race with proven experience of delivering tax relief and protecting Nebraska values," said Chris Peterson, Johanns campaign manager. "There is a sharp contrast between Mike Johanns proven, tested and trusted record as governor and as a member of the president's cabinet when compared to his Democrat opponents."
Two other Republicans -- Attorney General Jon Bruning and former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub -- left the Senate race when faced with trying to beat Johanns in the primary.
"Only someone adept in the ways of Washington would ask voters to forget his record in support of (President) Bush's amnesty for illegal immigrants because he is running for office again," said Raimondo, who said he opposes amnesty and that the U.S. needs to secure its southern border.
Johanns faced criticism in the Republican primary for campaigning as agriculture secretary for President Bush's failed immigration legislation, which offered a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants.
Peterson said Johanns opposes amnesty and supports securing the border.
"His position was clear from the moment he returned to Nebraska to run for U.S. Senate," he said.
Kleeb said Johanns is "part of the very system that's gotten us to the place we are now" and said Johanns "walked away" from the federal farm bill at a critical time -- as it was being negotiated.
Both Democrats also referred to the approval Johanns gave while agriculture secretary to close ten federal Farm Service Agency offices in Nebraska.
Peterson said it was Congress that imposed plans for the Agriculture Department to cut costs. A committee made up of Nebraskans recommended which offices to close, and Johanns signed off on the plan.
Peterson also criticized the early tone of the Democratic campaigns.
"Both candidates have taken a page directly from the old-style politics playbook -- attack, attack, attack," he said. "Nebraskans are tired of that kind of politics."
Both Raimondo and Kleeb have a steep hill to climb for fundraising. Johanns has already raised $1.5 million, helped by a visit in December from President Bush.
"I raised more than a million dollars last year running in the most Republican district in Nebraska," Kleeb said when asked whether he was concerned.
Raimondo said he would invest $250,000 to $500,000 of his own money to start his campaign but said his investment would be limited because "I believe you have to earn it."
"I don't believe in what Pete Ricketts did," Raimondo said, referring to the Republican's investment of $12 million in his 2006 loss to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, a friend of Raimondo.
Raimondo said he's not familiar with the ways of Washington but has experience in the real world.
"The far left and the far right serve their purpose, but it is the moderate center that advances legislation and seeks compromise," Raimondo said. "That is where I want to be."
Associated Press reporter Nate Jenkins in Lincoln contributed to this story.
On the Net:
Raimondo campaign: http://www.raimondo2008.com
Mike Johanns for Senate: http://www.mikejohanns2008.com
Pat Flynn for Senate: http://www.patflynnforsenate.com
Scott Kleeb: http://www.scottkleeb.com
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 1 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Dick wrote on Mar 1, 2008 1:27 AM: