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Independent thrust fuels Stenberg bid
Lincoln Journal Star ^ | Oct. 9, 2005 | Don Walton

Posted on 10/10/2005 9:33:01 AM PDT by jebanks

Don Stenberg lit a fire under his Senate campaign last week.

First came a declaration of conservative principles that disassociated him from the Republican record in Washington and effectively erased any image of him as a rubber stamp for President Bush.

Next, Stenberg sent letters to 525 Republican leaders and activists throughout the state addressing the question of “electability” that has been used against him.

Stenberg lost an earlier challenge to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson in 2000.

However, it was “the closest U.S. Senate race in Nebraska history,” Stenberg wrote members of the GOP’s governing state central committee, delegates to the most recent Republican state convention, officeholders and donors.

Prior to that loss, Stenberg noted, he was elected statewide three times as attorney general.

John Thune, John Ensign, Jim Talent and Arlen Specter all won Senate seats after prior losses in statewide races for the Senate or governor, Stenberg pointed out.

“In each of these cases, previous losses were stepping stones to future victories,” he argued.

Stenberg’s Republican primary opponents might have been hoping he’d try to “sit on his lead” as the best-known candidate rather than venture outside the box, stir the waters or campaign aggressively. Last week was an indication none of that may occur.

On earlier travels throughout the state, Stenberg found Nebraska’s conservative Republican base upset with Washington Republicans.

Just as he is.

Nebraska Republicans let Stenberg know they support the war in Iraq, but oppose the apparent abandonment of fiscally conservative government by a Republican president and a Republican Congress.

Just as he does.

Stenberg’s supporters believe that’s a good fit.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Nebraska
KEYWORDS: bennelson; donstenberg; election2006; nebraska; senate; stenberg
I've posted on Stenberg's race before. He seems to be doing the right things to get noticed and has become our best shot at picking up a Senate seat with a proven conservative hero.
1 posted on 10/10/2005 9:33:06 AM PDT by jebanks
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To: jebanks
Certainly seems like he's got the right idea.

Wasn't his last run too lackluster?

2 posted on 10/10/2005 9:56:38 AM PDT by JohnnyZ ("I believe abortion should be safe and legal in this country" -- Mitt Romney)
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To: jebanks

Keep an eye on Pete Ricketts in this race, je. Pete is very conservative (and has DEEP pockets). I think when the people of Nebraska get to know him they will find him very attractive. Granted, I am biased because I work at his company. I do, however, think that if he can bring the same philosophy to government that we have at our company (run a lean and mean operation and squeeze every last buck out of the company without extravagant spending)that he could really appeal to the Republicans in the state. Pete is a living example of the American dream. He and his family have run the company with a solid conservative style and built it into an industry leader. Should be an interesting primary.


3 posted on 10/10/2005 10:11:08 AM PDT by Big Red Clay (Greetings from the Big Red State)
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To: JohnnyZ

Probably, but he appears to be correcting that from this and other examples.


4 posted on 10/10/2005 10:11:19 AM PDT by jebanks
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To: Big Red Clay
Keep an eye on Pete Ricketts in this race, je. Pete is very conservative (and has DEEP pockets). I think when the people of Nebraska get to know him they will find him very attractive.

i think your right. Stenberg is going to have to shock and awe the electorate to have a chance.

He's always acted like he deserved the position more than anything else. IMHO.

5 posted on 10/10/2005 11:36:30 AM PDT by vikzilla
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