Posted on 05/10/2006 1:45:38 PM PDT by LdSentinal
Nebraskans like fellows who have distinguished military records, especially the kind that involve daring deeds worthy of an action figure.
The Medal of Honor for service as one of the Navy’s vaunted SEAL commandos never did Bob Kerrey any harm in his successful campaigns for governor and the U.S. Senate.
Shane Osborn, the political novice who drew international attention as a Navy pilot whose plane was forced down on Chinese territory, no doubt benefited from his experience Tuesday.
Osborn defeated incumbent State Treasurer Ron Ross in the Republican primary. Osborn rolled up 63 percent of votes cast; Ross had 37 percent.
Shortly after his military heroics, Osborn had talked about opening the curtain on his political ambition with a run for the U.S. Senate. He backed off that idea and decided that some basic training at the state level of politics might be best.
John Gathings, who was unopposed for the Nebraska Party nomination, will face Osborn in November.
The Democratic Party couldn’t field a candidate for the race.
Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning was unopposed in the GOP primary. No one from any other party sought a nomination, giving Bruning a “walkover” in the general election.
The Democratic Party couldn’t field a candidate for the race.
Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning was unopposed in the GOP primary. No one from any other party sought a nomination, giving Bruning a “walkover” in the general election.
Sounds like Osborn has pretty much a cakewalk himself - I assume someone who garners 63% of the vote against an incumbent in the Republican primary shouldn't have much trouble against a third-party candidate . . . always assuming he doesn't "get caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
The Chinese officers in command recognized the delicacy and potentially detrimental international effect if they allowed some hot-shot ground guy with a weapon and free swinging fists to act contrary to their national interests.
Some, but not many, ELINT gadgets were compromised but the majority of codes and electroinc listening protocols were destroyed before they touched down on Hinan Island. The crew and the pilot-in-command received a well deserved BravoZulu for their prompt and effective action after the mid-air and for their conduct while in confinement.
The BEST Osborn won. ;-)
Who knows? I voted for the incumbent. Shane hasn't been out of the Navy that long and I don't see that he has that much in the way of qualifications. I think name recognition from his China incident a few years back carried him in.
I admire Shane Osborn's courage. But was there anything in particular wrong with Ron Ross?
I know the office was tarnished with previous incumbent Lorelee Byrd, and Ross was moved over from serving as head of the NE Department of Health and Human Services (so I presume no "ties" to Ms. Byrd). Ross was probably doing an adequate job, though he was probably too wonkish to wage a campaign against a hero. Jewels, do you have any additional insight as a Nebraskan ?
I'm not sure in the rest of the state, but I never saw one ad in the paper or TV or radio for Ross. I don't think anyone knew that there was anyone other than Osborn running!
Yeah, that doesn't sound too surprising. It would be interesting to see if Ross even raised any money.
I didn't vote for him or Congressman Football. I don't have any reason to believe that he was qualified to be State Treasurer. I sure hope for our sake that he is.
Personally I find it insulting that Nebraskans who have achieved celebrity status think that they will get into office just because of it. We need good elected officials not media whores.
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