Don Stenberg: Why I'm Running for the US Senate

Stenberg for Nebraska ^ | Oct. 11, 2005 | Don Stenberg

[jebanks]

Earlier this month, my wife Sue and I embarked on a 2-day 12-city tour across Nebraska to formally announce my candidacy for the United States Senate.

Prior to this month’s tour, I spent the past 5 months traveling the state listening to Nebraskans. The overwhelming message I heard was it is time for change in Washington – and I couldn’t agree more.

The leadership of the national Democratic Party has been captured by the “blame America first” crowd who want to take America in the wrong direction.

Unfortunately, at the same time, many Republicans in Washington have abandoned basic Republican principles of smaller government, restrained federal spending, and local control of education. Republicans in Washington need to be reminded why they were sent there in the first place.

My twelve years as Nebraska’s Attorney General establish me as a proven conservative, who Nebraskans know and trust. As Attorney General, rather than going along to get along, I earned a reputation for doing what I thought was right. That is exactly what we need in Washington today.

Nebraskans know that when I say I will work to protect our families from terrorists, to reduce energy prices, to cut taxes, to rein in out of control federal judges, and to reduce federal spending and regulation, that I will cast Nebraska’s vote to keep those promises.

Our highest responsibility is the defense of the nation – to protect the lives and safety of our families and our neighbors. I am proud to stand in unwavering support of our men and women in uniform.

President Bush is right when he says that we must take the fight to the terrorists wherever they may be found. If we don’t, the terrorists will surely bring the fight to us – just as they did on 9/11, 2001.

I disagree with those who say we are losing the War On Terror. Leaving Iraq before we finish the job would result in the terrorists gaining enormous financial assets. And their “victory” over the United States would gain them radical new supporters throughout the world.

The other key issues that must be addressed in Washington are summed up in these points: (for more details on these and other issues, visit my website - www.stenbergfornebraska.com)

· We urgently need a common sense national energy policy that will open parts of Alaska and offshore to oil and gas development, that will promote the construction of needed oil refineries, and promote renewable fuels like ethanol and bio-diesel that we can produce right here in Nebraska. · It’s time to restore democracy by putting judges on the Supreme Court, and other courts, who understand that public policy decisions are supposed to be made by our elected representatives, not unelected judges. · We must make the President’s tax cuts permanent.

On each of these issues, the leadership of the national Democratic Party is working to take America in the wrong direction. And Ben Nelson continues to work to put these people in charge of the government of the United States.

At the same time, many Republicans in Washington have lost their way and no longer support smaller government, restrained federal spending, or local control of education.

Since an election is approaching, Democrat Senator Ben Nelson will be doing everything he can to convince Nebraskans that he is not really a Democrat. But the fact is, time after time, he has done his best to put liberal Democrats in control of the government of the United States.

For example, Ben Nelson served as the Nebraska Chairman of Al Gore’s campaign for President. He voted to make liberal Democrat Tom Daschle the Majority Leader of the United States Senate. And, through his political committee, Nelson contributed $10,000 to Daschle’s 2004 campaign and $5,000 to ultra-liberal Democrat Barbara Boxer’s campaign.

Nebraska is not well represented by a man who wants liberals like Al Gore to be our President and Tom Daschle to run the United States Senate. If Ben Nelson is reelected, he will continue to work to put this blame America first crowd in charge of the government of the United States. Democrat Zell Miller walked away from this crowd—Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson has not!

It is time for change in Washington. It is time for new leadership. It is time to send to Washington a proven conservative leader Nebraskans know and trust. That proven conservative leader is Don Stenberg.

[Reagan79]

Sounds good! Run boy run!

[Lightfinger]

Dear Don,

You have tried twice before to run for Senate from Nebraska. The first time, you were beat by Chuck Hagel in the primary. The second time, you were beat by Ben Nelson in the general.

What makes you think you can do better this time?

I like you, Don, please don't misunderstand. I voted for you against Nelson, and contributed money to your campaign.

But you, and your campaign, blew your perfect opportunity to win. Your campaign was thoroughly mismanaged. You never went on the offensive. You never pointed out Ben Nelson's voting record outside of the votes he's been a moderate on. Last time, your campaign manager could only have been described as a ditz.

How and why are things any different this time?

In addition, and more to the point in this election:

You lost to money both times (Hagel and Nelson), and this time you are running against money again in Pat Ricketts, formerly of Ameritrade. Do you have a better strategy against money than before, so you can overcome the spending deficit you will be facing?

You are also going against another conservative in David Kramer, also someone I know well. How do you plan to distinguish yourself from David, especially when you have the reputation of no-follow through?

I'm sorry, Don, but until I see something better from your organization, I just cannot join your fight on your side. Right now, I am leaning towards Kramer.

But, I'm giving you a chance, Don. Convince me to support you.

[Clintonfatigued]

Don Stenberg is good on the issues, but he is a flat-footed, uninspiring candidate. In 2000, he ran far, far behind George W. Bush. In fact, since 1996, Stenberg is the only Republican to lose a statewide race in Nebraska.

Let Pete Ricketts run. At least his money will force Ben Nelson to work for reelection. The unfortunate truth is that Stenberg is a second-tier candidate. Conservatives can do better.

[Sonny M]

I am not a fan of Ben Nelson, facts being what they are, he is just as much garbage as most libs are but by on the occasion doing the right thing and making a big deal out of it, he gets on some conservatives good sides.

Think of the guy who beats his wife all the time but once in awhile buys her flowers, thats Ben Nelson.

Sadly, some here on this board are so fooled into liking Nelson they actually think he is more conservative then Hagel......which he is not and no I do not like Hagel either.