At convention, Neb. Dems preparing for 2010 governor's race
8:14 AM
By Don WaltonLincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
DENVER …No. 8221; already looking ahead.
As Democrats prepare to place Barack Obama at the head of their ticket on the 2008 ballot, Democratic State Chairman Steve Achelpohl is preparing for Nebraska’s 2010 gubernatorial race.
“We already have our eye on the Governor’s Mansion, and we’re going to get started sooner rather than later,” Achelpohl said.
{M3At least one potential candidate has expressed interest, he said, and a lengthy campaign may not be far from beginning.
Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is riding high in popularity polls and virtually certain to seek re-election in two years. A 2010 victory would place him on course to serve a record 10 years as governor, completing a decade in office that began when Mike Johanns left the governorship at mid-term in 2005 to become U.S. secretary of agriculture.
Despite Heineman’s impressive 2006 political performance, which included a primary victory over Tom Osborne, Achelpohl believes the governor is vulnerable.
“This governor has been more absorbed in electing Republicans than fashioning good policy,” he said during an interview following a breakfast buffet caucus with Nebraska’s national convention delegation.
Heineman, he said, is “more into cutting ribbons (and) is the most political governor in my memory. This governor is so inept that we think we have a great opportunity to lay the wood to him over the next two years.”
While Heineman cuts funding for Meals on Wheels, he directs tax cuts to the wealthy, Achelpohl said. And the governor must bear some of the responsibility for conditions at the state institution in Beatrice that led to threatened withdrawal of federal funding support, he said.
Responding swiftly, Heineman said he has “a track record of working with senators” who are members of both parties and he’ll continue to pursue an agenda of cutting taxes, controlling spending and creating jobs.
Achelpohl, the governor said, “doesn’t have his facts right.”
Tax reductions have been approved by the Legislature with the support of nearly all of the Democratic members, Heineman said.
And, he said, he has partnered with a Democratic senator on sex offender reforms, the restructuring of health and human services, and proposed lobbying reform.
One clear difference with the Democratic Party is over legislation that allows illegal immigrants who graduate from Nebraska high schools to pay resident college tuition rates in Nebraska, the governor said. Heineman vetoed the legislation and it was enacted over his objections.
Recent speculation has centered on state Sen. Tom White of Omaha as one potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2010.
Achelpohl declined to discuss names.
Heineman said it’s too early to confirm his own candidacy, “but that certainly would be my intent.”
Democrats have placed a priority this year on electing more Democrats to the non-partisan Legislature. With an opportunity to pick up an additional two to five seats in November, they are within reach of a cloture-proof minority capable of blocking or forcing changes in legislation supported by the governor.
That could help them shape the agenda for 2010.
“We are very hopeful we can make significant gains,” Achelpohl said.
“I’m not going to be involved in 2010, but I want to tee the ball up for those who follow,” he said.
Achelpohl, who has been state party chairman since 2001, did not seek re-election this year and will hand the party reins over to Vic Covalt of Lincoln at the party’s first state central committee meeting after the November election.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at {M3dwalton@journalstar.com.
As Democrats prepare to place Barack Obama at the head of their ticket on the 2008 ballot, Democratic State Chairman Steve Achelpohl is preparing for Nebraska’s 2010 gubernatorial race.
“We already have our eye on the Governor’s Mansion, and we’re going to get started sooner rather than later,” Achelpohl said.
{M3At least one potential candidate has expressed interest, he said, and a lengthy campaign may not be far from beginning.
Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is riding high in popularity polls and virtually certain to seek re-election in two years. A 2010 victory would place him on course to serve a record 10 years as governor, completing a decade in office that began when Mike Johanns left the governorship at mid-term in 2005 to become U.S. secretary of agriculture.
Despite Heineman’s impressive 2006 political performance, which included a primary victory over Tom Osborne, Achelpohl believes the governor is vulnerable.
“This governor has been more absorbed in electing Republicans than fashioning good policy,” he said during an interview following a breakfast buffet caucus with Nebraska’s national convention delegation.
Heineman, he said, is “more into cutting ribbons (and) is the most political governor in my memory. This governor is so inept that we think we have a great opportunity to lay the wood to him over the next two years.”
While Heineman cuts funding for Meals on Wheels, he directs tax cuts to the wealthy, Achelpohl said. And the governor must bear some of the responsibility for conditions at the state institution in Beatrice that led to threatened withdrawal of federal funding support, he said.
Responding swiftly, Heineman said he has “a track record of working with senators” who are members of both parties and he’ll continue to pursue an agenda of cutting taxes, controlling spending and creating jobs.
Achelpohl, the governor said, “doesn’t have his facts right.”
Tax reductions have been approved by the Legislature with the support of nearly all of the Democratic members, Heineman said.
And, he said, he has partnered with a Democratic senator on sex offender reforms, the restructuring of health and human services, and proposed lobbying reform.
One clear difference with the Democratic Party is over legislation that allows illegal immigrants who graduate from Nebraska high schools to pay resident college tuition rates in Nebraska, the governor said. Heineman vetoed the legislation and it was enacted over his objections.
Recent speculation has centered on state Sen. Tom White of Omaha as one potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2010.
Achelpohl declined to discuss names.
Heineman said it’s too early to confirm his own candidacy, “but that certainly would be my intent.”
Democrats have placed a priority this year on electing more Democrats to the non-partisan Legislature. With an opportunity to pick up an additional two to five seats in November, they are within reach of a cloture-proof minority capable of blocking or forcing changes in legislation supported by the governor.
That could help them shape the agenda for 2010.
“We are very hopeful we can make significant gains,” Achelpohl said.
“I’m not going to be involved in 2010, but I want to tee the ball up for those who follow,” he said.
Achelpohl, who has been state party chairman since 2001, did not seek re-election this year and will hand the party reins over to Vic Covalt of Lincoln at the party’s first state central committee meeting after the November election.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at {M3dwalton@journalstar.com.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 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
