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.