Johanns Visit Spurs Senate Talk (Nebraska 2008)

The man who many Republicans want to run for the U.S. Senate next year, will be in town Thursday afternoon.

Secretary of Agriculture (and former Governor) Mike Johanns is coming in, just three days after Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) announced his retirement from the Senate after next year.

Behind the scenes it looks more and more like Johanns is running, but don't expect him to announce anything on Thursday. Johanns is here wearing his Secretary hat, and it appears that federal campaign laws, specifically the Hatch Act, keep Johanns from becoming an official candidate.

But at least one top Republican, former GOP State Chairman David Kramer, tells Action 3 News Johanns would be the party's best hope at keeping Hagel's seat. "I think our strongest candidate right out of the box is Mike Johanns, if he decides to run. And I say that because he's a two term Governor and Secretary of Agriculture a position that is critically important in this state."

But at least one other Republican is downplaying the Johanns' factor. Attorney General Jon Bruning, who is already running told Action 3 News back in June that he could beat Johanns. "Why do I think I can beat him? Because I'm out traveling around the state, campaigning. Mike Johanns is in Washington D.C trying to pass a farm bill."

And even Republican sources think that farm bill could be a problem for Johanns. The bill has been slowed down in Washington, and if it doesn't pass some Nebraska farmers might pass on Johanns.

1 posted on 09/13/2007 3:37:12 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued

To: fieldmarshaldj; Non-Sequitur; Alter Kaker; AuH2ORepublican; Kuksool; LdSentinal; ExTexasRedhead; ...

I think he’s gonna do it, and Johanns remains highly popular back home. Unless the GOP primary gets bitter, I think he can beat anyone the Democrats run, even Bob Kerrey.

2 posted on 09/13/2007 3:38:56 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Illegal aliens commit crimes that Americans won't commit)

Bob Kerrey has ties to Norman Hsu Bob Kerrey has ties to Norman Hsu Bob Kerrey has ties to Norman Hsu Bob Kerrey has ties to Norman Hsu Bob Kerrey has ties to Norman Hsu

(Bears Repeating)

3 posted on 09/13/2007 3:52:19 PM PDT by rfp1234 (Nothing is better than eternal happiness. A ham sandwich is better than nothing. Therefore...)

I can’t see Bruning getting out of the way. He’s young, hungry, and ambitious.

4 posted on 09/13/2007 7:26:35 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))

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