My name is Kevin Bieging, but the rest of the Kleeb Crew calls me "cheese." I like to think that's because I'm originally from Wisconsin, but I'm sure that there's more to the story.
I'm Scott Kleeb's "body man," which means it's my job to follow Scott around the state, make sure he keeps to his schedule, and remember all the little details so he doesn't have to. It's a great job, though it is a bit exhausting. Scott keeps up quite the busy schedule these days.
Normally I do the driving, but right now one of our other staff members is taking over so that I can tell you about all the great things we're doing in the field. Yesterday was the first day of our four-day, fifteen event Panhandle Progress Tour, which means we've been even busier than usual. Thank goodness for black coffee...
Talking Water in Ogallala
Scott always says that leading starts with listening, and he did a lot of listening yesterday. Our first stop was a roundtable on water issues at the Lake McConaughy center in Ogallala. We were joined by over a dozen local experts from all walks of life - businessman, irrigators, conservationists, local activists, etc. - all of whom agreed completely on the desperate need to do something to address the current water shortfall. It is always pretty incredible to see how accustomed people are to working together and building consensus in their own communities. Congress should really be taking some notes.
Watch Scott talk water issues on KNOP North Platte news.
After the roundtable, Darrol of the local Game and Parks gave us a tour around the lake. Scott really seemed in his element quizzing us about the lake and other local parks (the "bedroom" where I stayed in Scott's house last night is furnished with a desk that once belonged to George P. Kingsley, a local banker who helped develop Lake McConaughy). Scott stopped to talk to a few campers while the rest of the Kleeb Crew played with a sopping wet dog on the beach. Fun times.
Working Together in Lemoyne
Our next stop was lunch at the senior center in Lemoyne that could have easily been mistaken for a "Republicans for Kleeb" rally. One self-proclaimed "lifelong Republican" in particular was absolutely adamant about the need to elect Scott Kleeb to the U.S. Senate. As he put it: "It's time they get off this pea-pickin' tunnel vision and represent what we demand." I think that says it all.
The Senior Center itself is actually a really cool place. Recently, members of the Lemoyne community rallied together to raise the money needed for a complete renovation of the building. Their efforts received notice from the Omaha World Herald as well as the Good Neighbor Award from Aksarben. One more example of how regular Nebraskans have long understood what Washington can't seem to figure out: the power of working together towards a common goal.
Movin' On Up in Sidney
Our next stop was Sidney, to take a tour of the old high school with local educators. After two unsuccessful attempts, local officials in Sidney were finally able to pass a ballot measure last fall that approved funding to build a new school. From the looks of the old building we visited today, an upgrade was definitely well deserved.
After the tour, we sat down and talked education policy with teachers. One issue of particular concern to them is the "Reading First" program, first initiated under No Child Left Behind a few years back. Before the program started, less than 40% of Sidney schoolchildren could read by the time they graduated from kindergarten. Today that number stands at 94%. The teachers' concern is that federal funds for this program are already drying up, threatening to put an entire generation of schoolchildren one step behind their peers.
Barbecue, Boots, and more Barbecue
Our last event of the day was a "Boots and BBQ" rally in Sidney. About 50 supporters showed up for good food and good times. As is his habit, Scott was working the room asking everyone "If you were Senator for a day, what issues would you address?" No surprise, the answers are always about the two biggest burdens facing Nebraska families everyday: the rising costs of health care and gasoline.
We were joined to the bitter end by veteran political reporters Mike Tobias and Brandy Kruse of NET TV as well as Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star. Don came up to me and the crew at the BBQ and said "You guys are smart. You know that a happy reporter is a fed reporter." A happy campaign staffer, too...
Laura, our local field organizer, is a Sidney native and we stayed at her parent's house for the night. We even got another meal out of the deal! A happy campaign staff, indeed.
That's it for now. Be sure to check back in tomorrow for more updates from the trail. Oh, and don't forget to donate to Scott Kleeb for Senate. Remember: your contributions help pay for my coffee. And, trust me, you don't want to see me when I'm cranky ;)