Mike Johanns has scheduled appearances in Omaha and Grand Island next month - not long after Sen. Chuck Hagel is expected to announce whether he'll seek re-election in 2008. But, whoa, it's not what you think.
DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, August 27, 2007 7:00 pm
Mike Johanns has scheduled appearances in Omaha and Grand Island next month — not long after Sen. Chuck Hagel is expected to announce whether he’ll seek re-election in 2008.
But, whoa, it’s not what you think.
This trip was scheduled months ago, the U.S. secretary of agriculture’s spokeswoman, Terri Teuber, said Tuesday.
It was designed, in part, to give Nebraska’s former governor and his wife, Stephanie, an opportunity to spend time with their five grandchildren, Teuber said.
More to the point: “The secretary will not be making any announcements during the trip nor will he (be willing to) speculate about what he will do after he leaves the cabinet.”
No, Johanns isn’t coming to Nebraska to announce, or even hint, that he’s considering entering the 2008 Republican Senate race.
Next week, when Nebraskans may know Hagel’s plans, Johanns will be traveling internationally.
And the week after Johanns returns to Washington from Nebraska, the Senate is tentatively scheduled to begin consideration of a new farm bill.
“The Senate is signaling Sept. 17, but it’s very fluid,” Teuber said.
Hagel is expected to announce his decision soon, with the increasing likelihood he’ll not seek re-election.
Johanns, a former two-term governor, is viewed as a premier Republican contender if Hagel does not opt for a third term.
The ag secretary and former Lincoln mayor will be keynote speaker at a renewable fuels conference in Omaha Sept. 13 sponsored by the Midwest International Trade Association.
On Sept. 14, Johanns will meet with Gov. Dave Heineman’s advisory agricultural council in Grand Island, Teuber said.
The rest of the field…
Attorney General Jon Bruning already is a candidate for the 2008 Republican Senate nomination.
Other GOP prospects include former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo and Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn.
On the Democratic side, former Sen. Bob Kerrey positioned himself last week for a possible return to Nebraska to bid for Hagel’s Senate seat.
Kerrey, president of New School University in New York City, informed university trustees last week he is considering leaving the institution to enter the Senate race.
After serving one term as governor, Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001. He chose not to seek a third term in 2000.
Kerrey has indicated he would make his decision known at about the same time Hagel reveals his plans. Kerrey has said he would not oppose Hagel if the senator decided to seek re-election.
Coincidentally, Hagel and Kerrey will be together Wednesday in Washington at a news conference announcing plans to build a retreat in northwest Nebraska for wounded military veterans and families of wounded troops or those killed in war.
A feature of the retreat will be the Hagel-Kerrey Lodge, named in honor of the two Nebraskans who were wounded in combat in Vietnam.
Hagel and Kerrey served together as colleagues in the Senate for four years.
Wounded Warriors, a non-profit Nebraska organization, is building the retreat on 80 acres of pine-studded hills near Crawford.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.