Posted on 12/16/2010 11:27:19 AM PST by Qbert
Add two more Republicans to the list of possible U.S. Senate contenders.
State Sen. Deb Fischer, 59, of Valentine says she is “thinking” about a run, but won't decide until after this year's legislative session. And while former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr, 72, says it is “unlikely” that she would run, she declined to completely slam the door on a campaign. The two are the latest names to come forward and possibly run in 2012 against Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, who has said he is leaning toward another run, although he has yet to finalize his decision. The Republican field for the 2012 race is likely to include several contenders.
The first to get out of the gate was Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate the day after his November re-election.
In addition, Don Stenberg has indicated he may jump into the race. Stenberg has made three bids for the U.S. Senate, and was elected in November to his first term as State Treasurer.
People who have said they do not intend to run include Omaha businessman Rex Fisher and Lincoln businessman Bob Bennie.
Sen. Fischer says she has been approached by several people who have encouraged her to run. She says she plans to focus on the upcoming legislative session, but would give “serious” consideration to a campaign later this year.
“I'm not naive about this. People get started earlier and earlier when it comes to elections. You have to raise a lot of money,” said Fischer.
The senator, who lives on a ranch near Valentine, was re-elected to a second term in the Nebraska Legislature in 2008.
Orr seemed more interested in the idea of getting other people to run for the seat -- as opposed to launching her own campaign.
She said she hoped more than Bruning would run, particularly U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and State Auditor Mike Foley.
“I can't imagine what circumstances would persuade me to be in the race,” said Orr, who lives in Lincoln with her husband, Bill.
However, when asked if she would rule it out completely, she said “no.”
“I have an interest in who runs in the U.S. Senate race. And, I'm interested in seeing a full-fledged, hotly contested primary,” said Orr.
Orr was the first Republican woman elected governor of a U.S. state. She served from 1987 to 1991.
Good news. Rinos in the Senate have to be retired. They are Democrat Party inflitrators.
Old Ben Nelson was hoping everyone would forget his sellout. Sounds like they haven’t so far.
To paraphrase Al Davis, Ben Nelson must go down, and he must go down hard.
Nelson wont run again.
He’s no RINO- he’s a Dem who acts like a “moderate centrist”, and then votes for Obamacare and every other socialist program. He’ll do the same thing in the lame-duck.
I agree with that. I don’t think he will run again either. He is going to enjoy his retirement. He even said so before.
I remember after Nelson voted for this healthcare takeover he went to a local restaurant and they booed his sorry ass. Folks became beligerant and he fled the place in fear.
I hope he is still treated that way wherever he goes.
Fact is I’d like to see all those who voted for crap their constituants didn’t want get the same aggressive treatement.
Throw your burger at them, Boo them, and pour your cup of coffee or whatever on the bastards.
Based on Dennis Rehberg’s comments about Tester’s land bill, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him challenge Tester here in Montana. Rehberg is hugely popular. Tester not so much.
He’s hoping wrong. Don’t think that his previous antics won’t get thrown back in his face if he decides to run. IMO Benedict needs to toss in the towel and retire. Worthless.
Kay Orr would be another Chuck Hagel - I’m sure we can do better than the woman that made Bob Kerry look conservative.
Ben Nelson may not run. He is getting on in years. However, he is stubborn enough that he might do it out of spite. If he does, he will be a formidable opponent.
The Governor is the only one who could have EASILY beaten Nelson. He has decided to stay as Governor, though. The first two mentioned in the article may (repeat, MAY) beat Nelson, but it will not be easy. Nelson has a LOT of money, a lot of experience at winning campaigns and a lot of people who owe him. The last two are unheard of. They will hand Nelson the seat if they get the nomination.
Don’t write Nelson off. It will take a lot of work to beat him.
Nelson is just about the weakest Democrat Senate incumbent for 2012. Short of nominating a disastrous GOP candidate (a la Reid’s opponent in Nevada), he won’t win again.
Nelson ran for the Senate in 1996 and got thumped by Chuck Hagel, who had never held political office in Nebraska, and nearly lost again in 2000 when he narrowly beat Don Stenberg. His overwhelming victory in 2006 came largely because it was a horrid GOP year. I can’t imagine Nelson is in better shape than his previous contests suggest.
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