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Bruning quits Senate race

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BY OSKAR GARCIA / The Associated Press

Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 09:34:25 pm CST





OMAHA — Republican Jon Bruning ended his U.S. Senate campaign on Tuesday night, deferring to and endorsing the candidate many consider a prohibitive front-runner, former governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Story Photo
Attorney General Jon Bruning

Nebraska’s attorney general ended his five-month campaign after raising more than $1 million for his bid to succeed outgoing Republican Chuck Hagel, money Bruning said he will sit on to possibly use in a future run.

“If I do my job, political opportunities will come,’’ said Bruning, who is serving his second term as attorney general. “The timing wasn’t with me this time, but I’m confident the time will come someday.’’

Bruning said that neither Johanns nor anybody from the party asked him to end his campaign. In endorsing Johanns, Bruning said they simply agreed on the issues and he didn’t want to campaign against someone he liked.

“I hope people realize that I was willing to put the state’s interests, the party’s interests, ahead of my personal interests,’’ Bruning said. “I didn’t want to be the guy that divided the Republican party.’’

Bruning is the second GOP hopeful to drop out after Johanns’ intentions became clear.  Former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub ended his short Senate bid in September when it became obvious Johanns would run. Bruning at the time repeated the message on which he entered the race — that he would not defer to any candidate.

Standing alongside Johanns Tuesday night, Bruning said he didn’t think Johanns would run when he announced his candidacy, and thought about dropping out of the race as soon as Johanns entered.

“Jon would have been a very formidable opponent,’’ said Johanns, who said he will continue to campaign hard even as the field thinned. “I take nothing for granted.’’

Johanns resigned his Cabinet post with an endorsement from President Bush, who will visit Omaha in December to raise money for Johanns’ campaign.

The GOP’s national senatorial committee has made it clear Johanns is its top choice in the race.

“While we generally benefit from strong contested primaries, we’ve got a candidate who’s been tested at the national, state and local levels,’’ said David Kramer, former chairman of the state GOP. “I believe that today won’t be easy, but tomorrow and beyond, Jon’s reputation will be enhanced because of this.’’

Bruning’s exit leaves Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn as the sole Republican challenger to Johanns. Flynn has never run for political office, but said Tuesday he won’t back down.

“Our resolve has only gotten stronger,’’ Flynn said. “The constitution guarantees that citizens, not the political establishment, have the right to choose a member of their own party to represent them.’’

After Hagel announced in September he wouldn’t seek re-election, Republicans worked quickly to present a united front.

Next fall, 34 Senate seats will be on the ballot, and the minority Republicans hope to retain the 22 seats they hold now. When Hagel made his plans clear, many Republicans feared a strong Democratic run by former governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey. Kerrey was widely seen as the Democrats’ best hope of winning the seat until he said last month he wouldn’t run.

“We are confident that we will have at least one qualified candidate in the race soon,’’ said Matt Connealy, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Bruning jumped in the race early. After initially saying he wouldn’t challenge Hagel in the primary, the attorney general changed course, unleashing harsh criticism of Hagel and saying he had lost touch with Nebraska conservatives.

Bruning took Hagel to task for his persistent criticism of the war in Iraq and decided to enter the race after Hagel voted in March in favor of a military-funding measure that included a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. President Bush in May vetoed legislation that called for troop withdrawals.

Bruning has said Johanns flip-flopped on illegal immigration, campaigning as agriculture secretary for Bush’s failed immigration legislation.

Bruning is serving his second term as Nebraska attorney general after six years in the state Legislature. He was first elected attorney general in 2002, beating Democrat Mike Meister. He ran unopposed last year.

Associated Press writer Anna Jo Bratton contributed to this report.


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NE LADY wrote on November 19, 2007 7:01 pm:
" Please let it be so! "

 David wrote on November 19, 2007 7:05 pm:
" Good idea, Jon. You might consider trying to be an effective attorney general instead of a politician. That would be a nice change. "

 Nina wrote on November 19, 2007 7:21 pm:
" Not surprising if he does withdraw. The recent news that he likely deprived the state of federal housing funds because of his own personal stubbornness would harm his run immeasurably. Even before that, I could see he didn't have the genuine leadership qualities and character we need in a candidate. "

 jm wrote on November 19, 2007 7:57 pm:
" I am a Johanns supporter, but I believe Jon has great potential as a leader for Nebraska, and I hope he runs for senate when it hits the ballot in 4 years. He is a conservative effective leader. "

 Joseph P. Sokolovsky wrote on November 19, 2007 7:58 pm:
" I assume NE Lady and David know A.G. Bruning personally?? If you do not.. how could they make such a ignorant statement? The political process works at its best in a democratic society when several candidates are actively running verses no competition....daaa..daaa "

 Dan wrote on November 19, 2007 8:11 pm:
" Oh Thank God. This is the best news I have had all day. He will make WAY more money in private practice. "

 Rick wrote on November 19, 2007 8:17 pm:
" Excellent!! He cant do the job he was elected to do as the AG, did he really have enough people fooled that he would do the job in the Senate. This guy is a laughing stock. Once again you Republicans get exactly what you deserve. "

 TG wrote on November 19, 2007 8:22 pm:
" Is there any chance that he would also withdraw from the state? Or maybe he could just be banished. Either way. "

 Matt wrote on November 19, 2007 8:32 pm:
" If true, this is unfortunate. I consider Mr. Bruning to be an excellent Attorney who has consistently stood his ground throughout his tenure as Attorney General. He would make an excellent representative of Nebraska in the United States Senate. "

 Matt wrote on November 19, 2007 8:45 pm:
" Don't like Bruning, but I don't necessarily like the idea of simply handing Johanns the seat. I hope the democrats come up with something. "

 steve wrote on November 19, 2007 9:37 pm:
" Good, you might also get your pretty resume shined up... "

 David wrote on November 19, 2007 9:45 pm:
" Mr. Bruning, you or your staff appear not to want to get off dead center regarding the mission of the office of Atty. General. Investigations are not made, violations of statutes are ignored. NEOC has suffered, the alleged scandal involving the Jefferson County Clerk. You and your staff of assistant attorneys General need to start earning your salaries. Please! "

 stay in wrote on November 19, 2007 10:08 pm:
" I want to see your face after you lose by a landslide. But on the other hand. Will I see you at Duffy's after the NU games if you do win? It would almost be worth it not to see you and you're obnoxious friends at the bars after games. Like I said win you can do it! "

 Late O'Day wrote on November 19, 2007 10:21 pm:
" Nice sophistry, Jon-boy. Tearing up someone record's one week and praising it the next is simple hypocrisy. I'm sure he'd spin it as "party unity", but the simple fact remains you flip-flopped on your opinion. You can't rationalize that away. Were you lying then or lying now? Or can you even tell the difference anymore? I guess that's why we, as a society, tend to hate lawyers. Truth has no real value; it changes with the winds of self-interest (and Bruning is the poster-boy of self-interest). "

 JT wrote on November 19, 2007 11:04 pm:
" Alright Scott Kleeb, get in this thing and get after Johanns. Tie him tightly to his buddy, George Bush. Do not let him run away from President 24%. "

 Roger wrote on November 19, 2007 11:06 pm:
" Bruning has been quite an effective AG in my opinion, please point out circumstances when he has not been before you blog out of emotion only, thanks! He can't beat JoHans, and he knows it, that's why he's bowing out of the race. Please think before you type. "

 Randy G wrote on November 19, 2007 11:06 pm:
" Jon Bruning is the only person in Nebraska that I dislike more than Bill Callahan right now. But at least he has the decency to call it quits. "

 whatever wrote on November 20, 2007 4:16 am:
" If this is true it's too bad. I was looking forward to Bruning disappearing from the political landscape. It would seem the "powers that be" and they ain't from Nebraska pulled ole Jon aside and explained to him how democracy really works in this country now. The national leaders have determined that Johanns will be our next Senator. So we might as well line up like cattle and vote for him, right? "

 aaargh wrote on November 20, 2007 4:37 am:
" This would be sad. Johanns is simply the boring GOP status quo. I cant imagine a more boring and ineffective senator than Mike Johanns. Nebraskan's deserve better, and Bruning has done a fine job as AG. Johanns will be a total party patsy. "

 Red Neck wrote on November 20, 2007 6:05 am:
" Bruning changes strategy and speaks out of character. He speaks respectively of Johanns. Couldn't this be a new strategy to manipulate the voting public, rather than preparation for withdrawal? He has always been a loose cannon blasting hateful remarks at minorities and opponents. Why would the "hateful" want to vote for him now? "

 Terry wrote on November 20, 2007 6:38 am:
" Be nice to see him drop out of the race, but I kind of wanted to see him elected, just to get him out of the Attorney General office. Guess he is realizing he has no chance, after alienating one of the major political forces in the state. "

 Hank wrote on November 20, 2007 7:26 am:
" Are we again seeing the power of the Republican/Democratic duopoly at work? Don, you darn well know that the Green Party has an announced candidate, Steve Larrick. Why do you only mention that the "Democrats have not yet fielded a candidate"? We'll never get a real choice, or a real democracy, untill the press gets out of bed with the viested interests and the indistinguishable pair of corrupt parties. Give us the facts please. "

 Buddha wrote on November 20, 2007 7:32 am:
" David, he's still going to be a politician. If he isn't going to run for the Senate, you can bet he's got his eyes set on the Governor's Office. "

 russ wrote on November 20, 2007 7:38 am:
" I'm wondering what his angle is. No way he withdraws without some sort of agenda. "

 Randy wrote on November 20, 2007 7:46 am:
" Although it appears that the Republican party wants to continually support Mike Johanns,even with his record as governor, and then as Ag Secretary, and leaving that position, where is Johanns position on finishing what he has started. Mr. Bruning has taken on all comers, and succeeded. I am a Nebraska Democrat, and if the Nebraska Republicans do not want Mr. Brunining, I would love to have him on our side. He would be a great asset to any party. "

 Jordan wrote on November 20, 2007 7:54 am:
" I cant imagine this guy in a higher power of authority. This is a guy that should never be a cop. Don't give him a gun. Hopefully he gets out immediately. Next step, get rid of him as A.G. "

 Worse of two choices wrote on November 20, 2007 8:09 am:
" Now if we could just get Johanns to consider withdrawing. His Republican buddies are beaching the farm bill that he should have been promoting rather than quitting yet another job mid-stream to seek greater personal gain. Goodbye to Bruning though. We don't need such a self-serving person pretending to be a public servent. "

 Grundle wrote on November 20, 2007 8:25 am:
" I always see these negative comments towards Jon Bruning's performance as attorney general, but there never seem to be any examples of what he's done wrong. From everything I've seen, he's done a good job. I would actually be glad to see him remain AG. "

 rebachx wrote on November 20, 2007 8:29 am:
" Please, isn't there 1 Dem. in the state that can run. "

 David wrote on November 20, 2007 8:35 am:
" I think that he should have had to resign as A.G. if he wanted to run. "

 JD wrote on November 20, 2007 8:43 am:
" So now Johanns is your "friend"? Friends don't attack friends Bruning. This just exposes your true character. "

 Arch Kearney wrote on November 20, 2007 8:49 am:
" Nice piece of reporting on Walton's part. All the clues were there and worth asking about. Noticed that the World Herald had nothing on this. "

 astraea wrote on November 20, 2007 9:01 am:
" Jon Bruning is guilty of malfeasance in office for refusing to adhere to state law in the mandatory prosecution of housing discrimination cases. Its disappointing he's withdrawing from the Senate race, because it means Nebraska will be stuck with him as AG -- one who picks and chooses what laws he will uphold. "

 Bruning a had been wrote on November 20, 2007 9:06 am:
" After my first hand experience with a crooked sherriff in southwest nebraska involving his friends who stole a boat and the lack of respect to the victims and doing nothing to the sherriff involved is just as many have told me its a good old boys club and politics in law enforcement in nebraska headed by Bruning........we dont need him in nebraska...... "

 tim wrote on November 20, 2007 9:51 am:
" rick, you're right we'll put mike in the senate, because the democrates can't find a qualified candidate let alone someone that might actually win. "

 Sources? wrote on November 20, 2007 10:25 am:
" I am so sick of the Journal Star making headlines from comments from "informed sources." Where is the journalistic integrity? "

 Darren wrote on November 20, 2007 10:37 am:
" So now are you going to focus more tightly on not doing your job bruning? What did the GOP promise you to drop out. We all know something went on behind the scenes because I can't think of a time you've done something where it didn't benefit you in some way.. Good riddence to bad rubish. "

 What about Crawford? wrote on November 20, 2007 10:50 am:
" Hey Bruning - - you took it upon yourself to hold a press conference to say that the cops who shot the teenager in Crawford would be cleared. You did this even though your office isn't involved in that case. Turns out the grand jury, who heard seven days of testimony, disagrees with you. Did you go through seven days of testimony before you sided with the cops, or did you just shoot off your mouth as usual? "

 JD wrote on November 20, 2007 10:56 am:
" Nice to see that all 20 misguided liberals in this state know how to post imflammatory attacks on Bruning here...and hey astraea, your interpretation of both Bruning's role and state law is ridiculously off-base. I doubt you know much of anything about the law, and if you somehow have a law degree, then your school should be shut down. "

 Dale Gribble wrote on November 20, 2007 11:02 am:
" hats off to the JournalStar for Saturday's hit piece on how Bruning failed to get our share of wasteful federal money to pursue discrimination cases that the NEOC routinely approves to go forward; it finds probable cause against ham sandwich landlords. "

 Steamroller wrote on November 20, 2007 11:54 am:
" Here's the real impact: Johanns can now use all of his war chest to destroy any opponent in the general election, since he'll heva no opposition in the primary. Any Democratic candidate will just be a sacrificial lamb, so Kleeb won't run now, wisely going for a 3rd district rematch against Smith. The likely Democrat to stand in front of (and be flattened by) the Johanns juggernaut? Charlie Matulka, yet again! He'll get stomped, but at least he's got more guts than Kerrey and Fahey - they only wanted an easy win, not a tough race, no matter what happy face they paint on it. "

 Tod wrote on November 20, 2007 12:10 pm:
" I'd be very surprised if Jon dropped out, regardless of the comments Democrats are posting here. The Dems can't even get a candidate willing to run, so they have to pick on Jon - so sad. Jon still has my support. "

 What's he get out of this? wrote on November 20, 2007 12:35 pm:
" If Bruning has the financing and the support, he has to be getting something out of quitting. What's in it for him? "

 peb wrote on November 20, 2007 1:45 pm:
" Going back go the publicity Bruning created with the Matthew Koso case, to the gas pump trickery in Kearney to the NEOC/housing discrimination issue, hopefully Bruning is seeing the light and getting out while the getting out is good. It doesn't take a liberal to figure this out, just a few brains . . . "

 Chip wrote on November 20, 2007 2:59 pm:
" Thank God. This guy is a closet Joe McCarthy and he scares me. (I'm making these statements as a lifelong republican.) Glad he's out. "

 Marky Mark wrote on November 20, 2007 3:14 pm:
" What happens to the money left over from what he raised? Does he get to keep it? "

 The Truth wrote on November 20, 2007 3:34 pm:
" I'm pretty sure it was the "Fallen Star" award that the Nebraska Young Democrats gave Bruning that sent him over the edge. He used to be one of them...before he was taken to the dark side. "

 Run jon Run wrote on November 20, 2007 4:10 pm:
" I guess he is in a way. Running away because he doesn't want to get embarrassed. It's just that simple Tod. You drinking buddy is afraid. "

 Lola wrote on November 20, 2007 4:34 pm:
" Jon Bruning was willing to stand up to a Republican incumbent but won't face a Bushie party hack like Mike Johanns? Jon, you are finished. This was your year to run and you can count your political career as over if you withdraw rather than face a zero-charisma, can't-stand-listening-to-his-nasal-voice candidate who was one of the most ineffective cabinet officers in recent history. At least Ms. Venneman got a farm bill passed. "

 Bubba wrote on November 20, 2007 4:58 pm:
" It's a shame Shane Osborne doesn't run. He could always switch sides and become a democrat to run. He already has allowed top secret information to fall into the chinese hands. Now all he would have to do is get campaign donations from them to fit right in. "

 Bummed Democrat wrote on November 20, 2007 8:05 pm:
" As a Democrat, here's why Johanns seems almost unbeatable to me: He won a 2002 re-election 69-27, a 42 point spread? That's a huge margin. He even got half os us Democrats to vote for him instead of Stormy Dean! This was after we all saw what kind of a Governor he was, and we re-upped him with that huge margin. A well-run Democrat campaign could have trounced Bruning, and that's why we're so bummed that he dropped out. It basically means we have no hope of taking the sat this time around. "

 Jermark wrote on November 20, 2007 9:03 pm:
" Not only did Mike Johanns boot Hal Daub out of this race with a phony poll just DAYS after Daub announced his running - spending almost $1 million in advertising - now he's somehow knocked out Bruning who was just last week saying that he's in this race for the long haul. When Johanns snubbed Daub out of the race, Bruning argued it was politics at its dirtiest from Washington top-dogs. The GOP decided Johanns would be their man before he even left his cabinet position. I believe that there is much more to this story than we'll ever know. Bruning has been polling strong according to his website http://www.jonbruning.com/. I think the GOP and the Johanns people pressured Bruning into ending the race today, but of course I can't prove it. I have my theories....It makes me sick just writing this. Bruning would have been my obvious vote, even this early in the race. After spending this much time in Washington, Johanns owes favors across the board. Bruning would have been a new beacon to represent our state where our recent representatives have been weak and wrong. And who resigns from a cabinet position to run for a senate position? Are you kidding me? How does it get any better than serving at the pleasure of the President of the United States of America? How could you give that up 20 months before the end of your position to run for senate for four years? It makes no sense to me. "

 Amie wrote on November 21, 2007 7:58 am:
" When are we just going to go ahead with the coronation of Mike Johanns? This state doesn't seem to have a grasp on democracy. The Democrats can't find a candidate and the Republicans are lining up lockstep behind their latest chosen one. And the voters are left with no choice in the matter. "

 Eric wrote on November 21, 2007 8:09 am:
" It is so nice that the Nebraska GOP is making our political decisions for us. “If I do my job, political opportunities will come,’’ this statement is political propaganda and a forced statement by the Republican Party. Bruning may not have been the best choice but at least we had a choice. Johanns is a joke and he proved that as governor. The best thing that happened for this state was when he left for Washington. I didn't vote for Johanns then and I won't now. Thanks Nebraska GOP for picking our leaders for us. The pressure is on Nebraska Democrats, you better come up with something. "

 MJ wrote on November 21, 2007 11:31 am:
" We got to be able to do better than this ambitious Bush yes man. Please, someone please enter this race who has the best interest of our state in mind. "

 airedale wrote on November 21, 2007 1:29 pm:
" Its a good day for Nebraska. Jon is out and despite people's comments voters do have a choice. The pubs have two candidates in the field and the Greens have one too. The dems will almost certainly have a candidate before to long. I am just glad that Jon chickened out. For the first time I am also glad we have term limits in this state sinece that means Jon can't run for AG next election. "

 Concerned voter wrote on November 21, 2007 2:45 pm:
" First Hal Daub and then Jon Bruning- it seems that the republican party has decided for the voters who will be on the ballot for the Senate seat so why do we bother with a primary election at all. I would like to have SOME choice. I would not want Johanns at any cost! "

 seriously? wrote on November 21, 2007 2:57 pm:
" Johanns is a lame duck. He won't stand up for Nebraska's best interests. Instead, he'll go with the lobbying intrest has the best perks. Please give us somebody for whom we can feel good voting! "

 jim wrote on November 21, 2007 3:54 pm:
" amy the voters DO have a choice. pat, mike and whomever the democrats toss under the train. any reasonable person will vote for mike because he's actually qualified. everyone talks of mike being an insider but anyone that knows him will tell you he's a quality individual with character. "

 democratic canidate for senate wrote on November 21, 2007 5:59 pm:
" this guy is such a twerp that he couldn't even beat me. "

 Astraea wrote on November 21, 2007 9:09 pm:
" Unfortunate news for Nebraska -- we are stuck with a demagogue as AG imbued with "trumping" constitutional authority. Bruning's arrogant defiance of the law (housing discrimination cases) and insulting demeanor make him unfit for public service. He,(and Cookson) should be removed from office, given their difficulty reading black letters...particularly the word "shall". The AG's office has already been to the NE Supreme Court and back on the issue...but to expect adherence to precedent would again suppose reading skills, (and a whole lot more). Its a pity more taxpayer money will be wasted in federal court educating Bruning as to the concepts of separation of powers and express legislative intent, topics he apparently slept through in Potuto's class. "

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