I am an unapologetic, Liberal, Yellow Dog Democrat. Nothing new so far right?
O.K. What if I tell you that I live in South-Central Nebraska in one of the reddest counties, in one of the reddest states in our country? Kinda puts a whole new spin on it doesn't it? To top that I am a Democratic activist, a county chair, and a member of our State Central Committee. It sure gets lonely out here.
I just found that Scott Kleeb, our candidate for NE-03 last year, my district, has a new video out asking everyone for support. We need Scott to run for the U.S. Senate this year. He needs a little bigger push than we've been able to give him. Help!!!
The thing that scares the bejeezus out of me is that there are those within our party hierarchy that are pushing for a guy that until, probably today, was a Republican, and as recently as a couple of months ago was planning on running for the Senate - as a Republican. He is Tony Raimondo, the BFF of Sen. Ben Nelson. The guy that flys Ben all over the place on his corporate jet. There's more about him here. If we don't get Scott to decide, and soon, we might as well write Nebraska off as a lost cause.
I have taken the risk of jeopardizing my positions within the party to become an outspoken opponent of our state party supporting this Raimondo guy. In fact, I just heard through the grapevine that Steve Achelpohl, our State Chair, is threatening to have me removed from the State Central Committee and as a county chair because of my public opposition to such a folly.
The Nebraska Democratic Party has been unable to elect a Democrat to statewide or federal office ever since Ben Nelson came on the scene. Our State Chair has been known to state publicly, "I work for Ben Nelson." I think there is a correlation between his dominance of our party and our failures. That's my personal opinion, but one shared with many other Democrats I have spoken to.
We are drowning in Republicans in Nebraska. Please, toss us a lifeline and support Scott Kleeb in any way you can. Oh, by the way, just so there is no doubt - my name is Brian T. Osborn.