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Kleeb could be Democratic Senate prospect

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By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - 03:50:29 pm CDT

Scott Kleeb emerged Tuesday as a potential Democratic Senate candidate after reactivating his 2006 congressional campaign fund-raising base.

Kleeb, whose competitive challenge in the 3rd District House race last year attracted national attention, sent letters to his contributors seeking donations to resume his political activities.

“I am currently exploring several options to continue and expand our campaign,” he stated in letters that will arrive in mailboxes Wednesday.

Story Photo
Kleeb

Asked in a telephone interview whether he might be a 2008 Senate candidate if former Sen. Bob Kerrey and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey decline a Democratic bid, Kleeb said: “I’d definitely consider it, for sure.”

However, he noted, “that’s a lot of ifs.”

Another obvious option would be a second bid for the House seat, which was won by Republican Rep. Adrian Smith last November.

Kleeb, the Yale-educated ranch hand from Dunning, has moved to Hastings and will begin teaching history at Hastings College in September.  He recently married Jane Fleming, former executive director of Young Democrats of America.

In concert with his fund-raising appeal, Kleeb reactivated his web site, www.scottkleeb.com.

“We want to continue to build on what we did last year,” Kleeb said in the interview. 

“I’m still interested.  I’m still engaged.”

Looking ahead to the possibility of seeking elective office in 2008, Kleeb said he’ll make a decision later.

“Either Bob or Mike would be fantastic” as a Democratic Senate candidate, Kleeb said.  Both have said they would not consider entering the contest if Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel seeks re-election to a third term.

Attorney General Jon Bruning already is in the Republican race whether Hagel is a candidate or not.

Smith will be seeking re-election in the heavily Republican House district in western and central Nebraska where a Democrat hasn’t been elected in 50 years.

Kleeb’s 2006 House race set off Republican alarm bells that prompted a campaign stop in Grand Island by President Bush on the weekend before the election.

At one point, Kleeb had closed to within 2 points of Smith in the latter’s internal polling.  He moved to within 5 or 6 points in a GOP poll and was ahead at one time in his own internal polling.

In the end, Smith won by 10 points.

“I need your help in continuing to reject partisan politics and embrace positive change,” Kleeb wrote his 2006 contributors.

“Together, we sparked a conversation that engaged a new generation of young voters,” he said.

Kleeb said he and his wife are “starting a family” and he has settled in Hastings “rather than take a job on the East Coast, as many claimed we would.”

In addition to his new teaching position, Kleeb said he’s working as an advocate for renewable energy and helping sell beef internationally for a Sandhills cattle ranch.

“In choosing to remain in Nebraska,” he told his contributors, “I arrived at a very simple realization: my home is here; my history is rooted here; my family still ranches here; and I remain excited about the future of our state.”

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


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Good for Nebraska wrote on June 26, 2007 4:42 pm:
" More power to this young man. We need more people like him in Nebraska "

 Nate wrote on June 26, 2007 5:11 pm:
" He's got my vote. He did a commendable job in the 3rd distract race until being sand bagged by some illegal call operations at the end... "

 Husker Neocon wrote on June 26, 2007 6:18 pm:
" just what we need. Another out~of~stater moving here to run for office he`s a fake middle of the road democrat "

 YES! wrote on June 26, 2007 6:24 pm:
" It will be nice to see this intelligent, moderate, well-spoken young man debate Bruning and expose Bruning for the poseur he truly is. Downside: Kleeb did that very nicely with Adrian Smith but the Third District voters didn't care. Maybe the rest of the state is smarter than the Third District. "

 3rd District Voter wrote on June 26, 2007 6:31 pm:
" How I look forward to Kleeb running again! It will be fun to work even harder and smarter this time to make sure that an East Coast liberal does not win in Nebraska. Saddle up "ranch-hand", here we go again! "

 JT wrote on June 26, 2007 6:54 pm:
" Wow, this would be a great thing for Nebraska if Kleeb would run for Senate. Hopefully Bruning wins the primary so Scott can tear him up in the debates. "

 whatever wrote on June 26, 2007 7:05 pm:
" I'm surprised any Republican in this state would have a problem voting for Kleeb. After all these Republican's in this state voted in droves for that traitor in Republican's clothing Bush. I hope Kleeb wins, the Republican Party is in a shambles in this country. Last election I didn't have one Republican contact me, this was in a heavily Republican Precinct. The Democrats had people on the ground going door to door campaigning. In past elections I have had plenty of Republicans contact me. The demographics are VERY different now, while on paper the Republicans SEEM to have an advantage the Republicans I know are fed up with the party. Heck, just last week I received a survey from the Republican National Committee. Never before have I read such desperation from MY party, the REPUBLICAN PARTY. The national party has completely lost touch with it's base. Romney can't win because he flip flops and is a Mormon, Rudy can't win because of his stance on abortion, McCain's campaign is dead in the water. What we can hope for on a national level is that Bloomberg runs and dare I say forces a Clinton victory, I think Clinton is as bad as Bush for America, but if a Clinton victory or a Bloomberg victory will destroy what is left of the Republican Party so a new party can be built then so be it. We can't afford to have the Republican Party destroy what's left of America. Run Scott, Run! Oh, by the way, Kay Orr and Johanns were both out of staters. Have a great day! "

 Go Kleeb wrote on June 26, 2007 7:20 pm:
" I am a 3rd District voter that proudly voted for Kleeb in the previous election and was certainly disappointed by the loss. I'll vote for him no matter what office he's running for. "

 there is no place like nebraska wrote on June 26, 2007 8:40 pm:
" come on! why would Nebraska support a smart, progressive, well-intentioned candidate? such support like this might encourage big time business to settle in Nebraska...resulting in high paying, educated jobs. This is a trick nebraskans...don't fall for it. We'd rather stay with strictly blue-collar jobs that we can hire out.... Don't let this smart, home-grown individual fool you into thinking progressive...it's not who we are... now...back to football and what really matters. "

 Puh-lease wrote on June 26, 2007 10:56 pm:
" I see the Kleeb supporters are at their computers tonight. I like Scott Kleeb, but he isn't going to be able to fool enough people to beat Mike Johanns. He was president of the young Democrats at an Ivy League school...hard to be a conservative and get that gig. He says he's "starting a family". Wouldn't that entail his wife being pregnant? In Nebraska a family means kids. And if he's starting a family in Hastings where he hopes to settle down, why would he be running for office in Washington? No, he will not be able to fool enough people. He will do better if he just comes clean and says he has the political bug, and he thinks he can do a good job on our behalf in Washington. No shame in that. "

 TG wrote on June 26, 2007 11:30 pm:
" Not electing Kleeb and instead electing the undeserving Smith is yet another reason why the third district should have voting privileges revoked. I'm glad Kleeb stuck around and wants to give it another go! "

 No Carpetbaggers wrote on June 27, 2007 12:00 am:
" Never back a carpet-bagging loser a second time, and especially not for something as critical as a Senate seat. There are plenty of solid, long-term Nebraska citizens in the Democratic party that are well-suited to run for that seat. "

 Matt wrote on June 27, 2007 1:38 am:
" With all due respect what has he done that warrants his election as a senator?? I'm not really saying that I agree or disagree with his political philosophy, but he done nothing to suggest leadership. I think he would be better off taking a few years off and getting involved in efforts within the state of Nebraska. Establish yourself here and then run. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on June 27, 2007 6:51 am:
" Good lord, how bad is it for the Nebraska Democrats, when they consider nominating a guy with absolutely no record as an elected official, and experience only as a campaign manager for an ultra-leftist, to the highest office representing this state? Chuck Hagel is certainly beatable, but you need a guy like Ben Nelson to beat him, not a drugstore cowboy. "

 Nightmare in Nebraska: wrote on June 27, 2007 8:19 am:
" Kleeb vs. Bruning for the Senate seat. "

 kk wrote on June 27, 2007 9:11 am:
" What's with all the "carpetbagger" comments? Where is it written that someone has to be born in Nebraska to run for office? I've lived in Nebraska since 1993, if I ran for office would I still be considered a "carpetbagger"? Why not just vote for the best candidate? (other than they are few and far between) "

 Lorie wrote on June 27, 2007 10:08 am:
" Typical podunk 3rd district thinking. If he wasn't born and raised in Nebraska, he is a traitor. "

 WOO HOO wrote on June 27, 2007 10:51 am:
" I have been waiting to see this story for a long long long time!! "

 MarkyMark wrote on June 27, 2007 10:52 am:
" Anyone can win. Remember John Christiansen the Omaha Republican a few years back who won the Congressional seat? He had an IQ that was actually lower than Bush's and made about $5,000 per year selling insurnance. If he can win, Kleeb is certainly qualified. The hardest part of all has got to be that Real Conservatives have been completely left behind by the new Neo-Con administration in Washington....Please bring back Conservatism. Neo-Cons are the start of an Evil Empire. "

 rac wrote on June 27, 2007 11:59 am:
" It will be a pleasure to vote against Kleeb. "

 Lippstreu wrote on June 27, 2007 12:02 pm:
" Fortenberry is from Louisiana. "

 AR wrote on June 27, 2007 12:11 pm:
" I see the old Smith/NRP talking points are still ingrained into the minds of the challenged out there. Why consider someone that would actually have the ability to think and act on our behalf, when you can have a mindless puppet who cares more about getting more PAC money to stay in Washington until retirement? Adrian Smith is weak. I hope Scott runs, but for the 3rd District Rep again. More people are seeing Adrian for what he is. To see what I mean you should check out that blog called Smith Watch Nebraska. That girls got him pegged down cold! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on June 27, 2007 3:58 pm:
" By the way...Hastings College now have B.A.s teaching history classes? Yikes! "

 Craig wrote on June 27, 2007 4:13 pm:
" Wow, I am excited. A proven loser from the Democrats to try and lose a bigger race than he lost last time. Cool. Should add at least 20% to the Repulican margin of victory! "

 Western Nebraska Native wrote on June 28, 2007 12:15 pm:
" Kleeb lost because we didn't trust him. He used populist language & was likable but he avoided the issues. He didn't even answer the Family First questionnaire. Let us know where you stand & we might vote for you Mr. Kleeb. We voted for Kerrey & Nelson. But the redest district in one of the redest states will not just vote for your resume & good looks. "

 Dale Gribble wrote on June 29, 2007 8:29 pm:
" Scott Kleeb will ride to victory with the solid margins from the bachelor farmers of Sheridan County and the 15th & J gang "

 Jake wrote on July 2, 2007 8:09 am:
" Just another opportunistic leftist democrat trying for power. He said he is choosing to remain in Nebraska. Sure he will! If we are so unfortunate that he actually gets elected he will dump Nebraska every bit as fast as Bob Kerrey did. Do you remember Bob Kerry? He used to live in Nebraska.For a while, only until he got his Senate pension locked in. Kleeb is yearning for the same. I won't help him. He is too much of a "PRETTY BOY" for me. Our errant Senator Hagle wil do the same. I will vote for Bruning. "

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