Daub not ruling out Hagel challenge
OMAHA -- Unveiling plans to travel to all 93 counties before deciding whether to enter the 2008 Senate race, Hal Daub said Tuesday he’d not rule out the possibility of challenging Sen. Chuck Hagel.
His decision on pursuit of the Republican nomination will not be based on whether Hagel seeks re-election, the former Omaha mayor and former four-term congressman said.
Daub, who holds a key Nebraska Republican Party leadership post as national committeeman, announced he’s launching a statewide “listening and learning tour” that he’ll complete by Labor Day.
In the meantime, he’ll begin raising funds for a possible Senate campaign.
“The person who wins an election is the one who listens and is open to new ideas,” Daub told a crowded news conference at the community center in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood where he grew up. Forgoing a coat and tie, Daub was informally clad in a blue shirt and khaki pants.
As a youngster, he recalled, he used to sell apricots and beans out of a truck garden in front of the building, which was a fire station at the time.
Daub’s decision to embark on a campaign-style statewide tour was a clear indication he’s standing at the doorstep of a possible Senate bid.
However, he emphasized more than once, he’s not a candidate yet.
And, he said, “I’m not certain I will become a candidate regardless of who is and who isn’t running.”
Attorney General Jon Bruning already has signaled his intention to enter the GOP battle whether Hagel seeks a third term or not.
Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo has said he’s in if Hagel is out.
Hagel plans to announce later this year whether he’ll seek re-election, pursue the presidency or leave elective office at the end of 2008.
Daub, 66, served in the House from 1981 to 1989. In 1995, he was elected mayor and served until 2001.
Deflecting questions about his views on issues, Daub said: “If I’d made up my mind, I wouldn’t go on this listening tour. I’ll listen to the opinions that do matter.”
However, Daub said, he does believe tax laws “need a major overhaul” and issues like Social Security reform and immigration policy need to be addressed.
Hagel, he said, is “a good friend, and I admire him greatly.”
And, he said, “I’m committed to being respectful of the senator, of my party and of the people of Nebraska.”
Asked if he agreed with Hagel’s recent statement that the nationalRepublican Party has been “hijacked by a group of single-minded almost isolationists, insulationists, power-projectors,” Daub said no.
Daub said the money he raises for a possible Senate race will be placed in a trust fund and not be spent until a formal campaign is announced. If he decides not to enter the race, he said, the money will be returned to contributors with interest.
In answer to a question, Daub said he’s not ruling out the alternative possibility of another bid for mayor.
To help him test the waters for a Senate race, Daub said, he has created a Web site (www.haldaub.com) and established a toll-free telephone number (1-877-425-3228) where citizens may contact him with their thoughts and concerns.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
His decision on pursuit of the Republican nomination will not be based on whether Hagel seeks re-election, the former Omaha mayor and former four-term congressman said.
Daub, who holds a key Nebraska Republican Party leadership post as national committeeman, announced he’s launching a statewide “listening and learning tour” that he’ll complete by Labor Day.
In the meantime, he’ll begin raising funds for a possible Senate campaign.
“The person who wins an election is the one who listens and is open to new ideas,” Daub told a crowded news conference at the community center in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood where he grew up. Forgoing a coat and tie, Daub was informally clad in a blue shirt and khaki pants.
As a youngster, he recalled, he used to sell apricots and beans out of a truck garden in front of the building, which was a fire station at the time.
Daub’s decision to embark on a campaign-style statewide tour was a clear indication he’s standing at the doorstep of a possible Senate bid.
However, he emphasized more than once, he’s not a candidate yet.
And, he said, “I’m not certain I will become a candidate regardless of who is and who isn’t running.”
Attorney General Jon Bruning already has signaled his intention to enter the GOP battle whether Hagel seeks a third term or not.
Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo has said he’s in if Hagel is out.
Hagel plans to announce later this year whether he’ll seek re-election, pursue the presidency or leave elective office at the end of 2008.
Daub, 66, served in the House from 1981 to 1989. In 1995, he was elected mayor and served until 2001.
Deflecting questions about his views on issues, Daub said: “If I’d made up my mind, I wouldn’t go on this listening tour. I’ll listen to the opinions that do matter.”
However, Daub said, he does believe tax laws “need a major overhaul” and issues like Social Security reform and immigration policy need to be addressed.
Hagel, he said, is “a good friend, and I admire him greatly.”
And, he said, “I’m committed to being respectful of the senator, of my party and of the people of Nebraska.”
Asked if he agreed with Hagel’s recent statement that the nationalRepublican Party has been “hijacked by a group of single-minded almost isolationists, insulationists, power-projectors,” Daub said no.
Daub said the money he raises for a possible Senate race will be placed in a trust fund and not be spent until a formal campaign is announced. If he decides not to enter the race, he said, the money will be returned to contributors with interest.
In answer to a question, Daub said he’s not ruling out the alternative possibility of another bid for mayor.
To help him test the waters for a Senate race, Daub said, he has created a Web site (www.haldaub.com) and established a toll-free telephone number (1-877-425-3228) where citizens may contact him with their thoughts and concerns.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
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