Independent thrust fuels Stenberg bid

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By Don Walton

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.

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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.

* * * 

Big moment on the football practice field at Doane College last Wednesday.

At Coach Tommie Frazier’s invitation, Tom Osborne addressed the Tigers after Frazier gathered them at mid-field.

Osborne and Frazier, together again on an autumn afternoon.  If you closed your eyes, you could hear the roar of the crowd riding the October wind.

Osborne talked about character, unity, work ethic, learning from adversity, the value and meaning of team.

“I always tried to sell our team on the idea that we could outwork an opponent,” he said. 

“Everyone has a role to play,” he said.  “And, if you do it, everybody wins.”

Osborne told the players about that private moment in the locker room when he quoted Scripture to his 1995 Husker team as it prepared to take the field against Florida in the Fiesta Bowl.   For God has given us not a spirit of timidity, but of power.

With Frazier at the controls 10 years ago this winter, the Huskers overwhelmed Florida by a 62-24 score and nailed down their  second consecutive national championship under Osborne. There would be another one yet to come.

“It’s a part of my life I certainly miss a great deal,” Osborne told the  Doane football squad. 

In terms of personal treasure, “the best thing I ever did.”

Finishing up:

* A Brookings Institution study shows Nebraska losing one of its three House seats within the next 25 years.   When it happens, Lincoln’s voice will be effectively muted.

* Chuck Todd, writing in the National Journal: “Is there a senator up in 2006 who makes as few mistakes as (Ben) Nelson?  We know Republicans believe former Ameritrade executive Pete Ricketts will give Nelson a race.  But we ask: What is Nelson’s fireable offense with the Nebraska electorate?”

* Ricketts has named his campaign manager: Pat Fiske, former chief of staff to Minnesota Rep. Mark Kennedy and Washington Rep. Linda Smith and campaign manager for Bob Schaffer in his unsuccessful contest with beer baron Peter Coors for the 2004 Republican Senate nomination in Colorado.

* Chuck Hagel told a telephone news conference he agreed with much of what Stenberg said when he suggested Republicans in Washington have veered off course and lost their way.  Hagel voted against President Bush’s No Child Left Behind education reform plan and against adding costly, broad-based prescription drug coverage to Medicare.

* Dave Nabity says Cabela’s decision to build in LaVista does not preclude the urgent need for LB500, a business tax incentive bill.  That proposal would “help entrepreneurs cost-justify” development of an array of tourist attractions in Nebraska, the Republican gubernatorial candidate says. 

* Harriet Miers indirectly donated $500 to Stenberg’s 2000 Senate campaign.  The money was contributed to Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Good Government PAC and later distributed to Stenberg’s campaign.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.