NE-Sen: Breaking News: Fahey will not run for Senate

(From the diaries – promoted by James L.)

Crossposted at DraftKleeb.com

Omaha World Herald reports:

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey shut the door on a U.S. Senate bid Tuesday, but kept his options open for a possible run for a third term as mayor.

In deciding against a Senate run, Fahey said he was committed to getting several things accomplished as Omaha mayor, such as securing a long-term contract to keep the College World Series in Omaha.

“All the things I have on my plate, at this time, there are large items that need to be completed,” Fahey said. “And, I didnt think it would be fair to the people who elected me, if I left in midstream to go campaign.”

Fahey said he would decide sometime next year whether to run for re-election.”

This opens the door for Scott Kleeb to throw his hat into the ring.  Make sure to head over to DraftKleeb.com and show your support by signing the petition or donating to his potential campaign.

I want to thank Mayor Fahey for making a quick decision.  Scott Kleeb said he would wait until Fahey announced.

100 donors, $1,000 in one week! (Draft Scott Kleeb for U.S. Senate needs your help!)

DraftKleeb for U.S. Senate

The other day I was sitting in my living room wearing my UNO College Democrats hoodie when I picked up the living section of the Omaha World Herald.  Let me share with you what I read:

“The death knell is tolling for the Nebraska Democratic Party, whose last, best hope — a guy from New York — chose Wednesday not to enter the race for U.S. Senate…

The two-party system in Nebraska, in effect, has died.  If you aspire to high office, or even low office, you had better register with the GOP like almost everyone else.”

Now that should upset every Democrat who lives in Nebraska, has lived in Nebraska, has stepped foot in Nebraska, hell, it should upset every Democrat ever!  I know it made me mad, so I framed it and hung it in my office.  Motivation!

Now what are we going to do about it?  I say we make a statement in Nebraska, we give the Omaha World Herald a new story to write about.  That story is fourth generation Nebraskan Scott Kleeb who is pondering a run for U.S. Senate.  His amazing campaign in Nebraska’s conservative third Congressional district is a testament to what Democrats can and should be doing here in the state.

The last week has been a roller-coaster.  Bob Kerrey demurs, the Facebook group explodes, the website launch (DraftKleeb.com), and all the local press has blown me away.  But we can not stop this movement yet, and we need your help.

If you haven’t done so please join the Facebook group (also invite all your friends) and sign the petition.  Post about us on your blog, or a national blog you have yet to see us on.  (also, email me at mike@draftkleeb.com if you do so I can make sure to participate!)

The next Draft Kleeb initiative will be a fundraising one.

Our goal is to raise $1,000 and have 100 donors in one week.  We have set up an ActBlue page.  All the money will go to Scott Kleeb’s next campaign.  Whether it be for Senate or the House.  We have to show Mr. Kleeb that we will have his back in this race because it will not be an easy one.

This seat is winnable. While untested, Johanns and Bruning (I hear Pat Flynn is running too…) are powerful figures in Nebraska politics.  But they can be brought down if we work hard enough.

That work has to start now and it has to start with us!

The entire ticket in the state of Nebraska depends on who our Senate nominee is.  Believe me when I tell you how amazing out lineup is this cycle.  It’s full of candidates that can make the kind of change we all want to see. On top of that, a successful showing in 2008 will help Nebraska Democrats take back the Governors Mansion in 2010, the Omaha City Council in 2009, and maybe even the State Senate later down the road.  That is truly imperative.

We can not meet our goal without you.  Please just donate five dollars, ten dollars, whatever you can spare.  I plan on putting some in as soon as I get paid this week.  Help us make a difference.  Help us motivate Nebraska Democrats so we can begin to turn the tide in our great state.

Help us…