Hackett and Nebraska

by Heath at the NDP, Fri Aug 12, 2005 at 05:01:34 AM EDT

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to drop by and let everyone know that here in Nebraska, the amazing story in OH-2 has caught a lot of people's attention.

Hackett's campaign build itself from scratch into a powerful force that put the Republican establishment on notice -- and that's exactly what we're trying to do in Nebraska.

First off, congrats. It was an inspiring effort to watch and we're trying to learn everything we can from what went down there. An incredible network of concerned Americans got together about the race in Ohio. Now I want you to think about Nebraska.

And things are happening here. Our red-state strategy, the "93 County Strategy", kicked-off this week with two local Meetups and grassroots training in Hershey, Nebraska on Saturday. And we just had a fantastic article written about our progress. Here's a quote:

"This will be a concerted effort to build a structure in all 93 counties (and) compete in areas that now may be considered hostile,"said Barry Rubin, the Nebraska Democratic Party's executive director.

As you read this, Nebraskans are developing a strategy at numerous Meetups, local party meetings, and through interviews with activists, donors, elected officials, and non-active, registered Democrats.

But we can't ignore you.

Your ideas about local blog strategy, how we can elect Democrats to local office, and how to build a new Democratic community with a clear and relevant message are exactly what our Red State Democratic Party needs right now!

You've seen what works -- and what doesn't. Tell us.

Drop by our site and give us your thoughts on how we can build upon the hope we have in the heartland -- we already have some comments going, but we could sure use your inspiration.

And believe me, I know the power of this community firsthand.

Remember the blogswarm to support Howard Dean and change the Democratic National Committee's approach to politics? Well, here's the beef: Nebraska is one of the first states in the "50 State Strategy" to get organizers on the ground.

Now that we've got the people -- and more and more Nebraskans are coming on board every day -- it's time to reach out to everyone inside and outside of the state so they can participate.

Thats why we've put a post up to catch your ideas about what needs to happen here in our State:

http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/friends

Thanks for helping us out!

-- Heath at the NDP
Nebraska Democratic Party

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eh good luck with it..

I'm From FL as i have said before but a Red part of the state and have to drive for about an hour to reach Democratic HQ if Democratic leaders are listening PUT A HQ NEAR KSC this will also be helpful for Bill Nelson becuse he is from Brevard. as for Nebraska that is well worse besides Ben Nelson i can't think of any house or statewide Democrat if they are coming to Nebraska they can come here to. on an unrelated note if i ever go to Nebraska my Bill Nelson sticker will be useful there to!! lol.

by Liberal 2005-08-12 12:20PM | 0 recs

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Question re: Dems in Nebraska

Great questions -- hope you don't mind if I jump in and ask one in return.

The Nebraska Legislature is formally non-partisan, i.e. candidates are neither affiliated with nor nominated by political parties (thanks Wikipedia).

My question: how does this formal non-partisanship play out in practice? Do the parties get involved wiht legislative races even without the formal affiliation of candidates? Does the Democratic party explicitly endorse candidates? Does it tend to be clear which candidates are progressive vs. conservative?

by brahn 2005-08-12 01:40PM | 0 recs

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Thanks for the info

Man, with all due respect, Nebraska State politics are freaking crazy. In the same Wiki entry they have a unichamber legislature. I always thought New Hampshire was the crazy one with 400 House seats in such a small state.

by Pitin 2005-08-12 04:25PM | 0 recs

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Re: Question re: Dems in Nebraska

Its non-partisan for the state legislature only. What that means is there is no party affiliation designated on the ballot for the canidates. The unicameral is small so if you can find some support you can pass legislation no matter what party you belong in. Nebraska also has term limits imposed on its State Senators.

The political parties are involved. The Republicans control the state legislature. For what it is worth, Nebraskans are generally non-partisan. For Democrats to win and govern, they need to work closely with Republicans. For instance, in Lincoln you have 1 liberal State Senator, 1 moderate, and 1 Conservative. They all have to work together to get anything done. The Democratic canidate for congress used to be the head of the unimcameral. I know Democrats who have initiated anti-stem cell research measures and abortion meausures.

The institutions in Nebraska are progressive, but the people are conservative. How does that play out? Well, the state budget is set to be consumed by medicaid and education in the years to come if nothing is done to change the course of the budget. At the same time, Nebraska is the most pro life state in the country, and has passed DOMA laws. The left-right dichotomy doesn't play well in Nebraska.

by Christopher Hitchens 2005-08-12 05:03PM | 0 recs

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Re: Question re: Dems in Nebraska

A little more background on Nebraska politics:

Besides Federal, State Constitutional offices (i.e. Governor) and County offices (i.e. Attorney, Clerk, Commissioners), all of Nebraska's offices are non-partisan (roughly 3/4 of offices).

Term limits in the Nebraska Unicameral begin in 2006 with 20 open seats up for grabs. The NDP was extremely active in 2004 and picked up 2 seats (while retaining one open seat). The NDP is currently recruiting candidates for all 24 legislative seats up in 2006, as well as the 800+ offices up across the state.

The opportunities are endless in Nebraska.

by Heath at the NDP 2005-08-12 06:12PM | 0 recs

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As a former Hawkeye

The only thing I know about Nebraska politics is that they used to have great football teams. Their wrestlers were pretty mediocre too. A good warm up for the Hawkeyes or the Cyclones, that's about it.

It's obvious Nebraska sports teams do not do well under Republican administrations. If Nebraska is ever going to have another winning football season, we better put some fighting Democrats in charge.

I'll kick in $25 for the cause tomorrow when I go over my bills.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-12 08:41PM | 0 recs

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Re: As a former Hawkeye

As a diehard Husker fan and former Nebraskan, we will be back! Not this year -- but soon.

GO BIG RED!

by v2aggie2 2005-08-13 05:09PM | 0 recs

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Re: As a former Hawkeye

I certainly hope so v2aggie2. Was it last year that Nebraska went 7-7? You're embarassing the whole Pac-10, which I guess is now the Pac-12? Or is that the old Big-8. I lost track of all the changes. They don't follow Big-10 and Big-8 sports very well in the L.A. Times. Not many Iowa or Nebraska games on the tube until you get to the bowls and the NCAA.

You guys kicked butt at football for decades and always had a fair to middling wrestling team too. I think Nebraska and Iowa might have more NCAA wrestling championships than the rest of the country combined.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 05:53PM | 0 recs

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Re: As a former Hawkeye

7-7 2002
10-3 2003
5-6 2004

The recruiting has gotten a lot better, however, so this gives us hope.

You guys have a really good team in Iowa City now. Iowa has a really good chance to win the Big 10 this year -- and maybe even more.

by v2aggie2 2005-08-13 08:54PM | 0 recs

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Re: As a former Hawkeye

No shit! I'll have to try and find some coverage of Hawkeye football somewhere. Do you know off the top of your head who the coach is?

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 10:20PM | 0 recs

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Re: As a former Hawkeye

Kirk Ferentz.

by v2aggie2 2005-08-14 10:55AM | 0 recs

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did you know not that i am from Nebraska but...

52% of it's registered voters in 2004 where Republicans. the only states that beat that are Wyomning and Utah with it's record of 58%.

by Liberal 2005-08-13 07:45AM | 0 recs

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Damned Pissant Pessimists!

We need to get some action going. Have you ever heard of PBS? Are there any businesses who will offer premiums in exchange for contributions?

I'll get the ball rolling with a pledge of $10 for every "Super 3" rating I get in the next two hours, up to a maximum of $100.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 12:16PM | 0 recs

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Re: Damned Pissant Pessimists!

Time stamped at 12:16 P.M. PST, but my clock says 1:15.

You've got until 3:15 my time or 2:15 MyDD time to pick up the easiest $100 bucks the [NebraskaDems ever picked up https://secure.nebraskademocrats.org/page/contribute].

The comment preview didn't translate the link. I guess you can't link to secure sites. Whatever. I'll plug in the amount and send it at 3:15 PST.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 12:20PM | 0 recs

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The Cornhuskers have one more hour

OK. It's now 2:45 PST real time. I'll extend my Cornhusker Challenge until 4:00 P.M. PST.

To help them out I just poste this comment at their site

I put up a $100 challenge at the Hackett and Nebraska diary at MyDD. I'm kicking in $10 for every person who clicks through to the diary and accepts my challenge.

It's pretty difficult for dumb Cornhuskers who can't play footbal or wrestle. You have to click through and give a former Hawkeye a "Super 3" rating.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/8/12/9134/57722

It was a challenge good for two hours. You folks have one more hour to pick up another $90.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 01:48PM | 0 recs

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Re: The Cornhuskers have one more hour

Times up folks. I'll still kick in $20 just for old times sake. I had some good times in Omaha years ago. They serve the finest steaks in the whole country at the Omaha Steak House. Was that the place where they invented the idea of letting folks cook their own steaks or is that another outfit? It's been decades, but I still remember those steaks.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 05:56PM | 0 recs

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Re: The Cornhuskers have one more hour

My aunt and uncle still live in Omaha.
I always like visiting there.

by v2aggie2 2005-08-13 08:56PM | 0 recs

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Check out the Omaha Steak House

Tenderest corn fed beef in the country. I think they must have dedicated contracts for a specific breed. Tenderest, juicyest steak I've ever had.

I even remember running across one somewhere out here in California. They actually fly the beef in from Omaha.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 10:23PM | 0 recs

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Re: Check out the Omaha Steak House

Maybe they ship it. I might have gotten carried away.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-08-13 10:23PM | 0 recs