A couple months ago, we heard this rumor. That the DSCC was recruiting a Republican to run for Senate as a Democrat. That Scott Kleeb was their second choice. That they wanted one of their own in Washington. It's reality now.
Columbus businessman Tony Raimondo today announced that he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel.
Raimondo, who switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party in December, said he was filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to begin his campaign.
"I pledge to be a public servant—not a professional politician. I will bring my real world business experience to Washington and fight against the career politicians who unwittingly stifle innovation, economic opportunity and development," Raimondo said.
Raimondo is chairman of Behlen Manufacturing Co. in Columbus. He's the first Democrat to enter the Senate race.
Scott Kleeb is close to a decision.
A while ago, I wrote about the choices we face in this election. Those choices still face us today. It's between someone we can trust, and a marriage of convenience. Between money and principle. In my view, between winning and losing. Tony Raimondo shot himself in the foot from the very beginning.
If it was the intention of Tony Raimondo to present himself as a disillusioned Republican who saw the light and became a Democrat, he really didn't plan it that well. When he dropped out of the Republican primary, he made it pretty clear that he was dropping out mostly because of money. (How wonderful, then, to see the story about our newest "Democrat" juxtaposed on the news with the story of Mike Johanns raising $1 million. Don't think that wasn't lost on news editors across the state tonight.) Maybe it was hubris, or a lack of political instinct, but then, really, Tony Raimondo had to have been assured that he wouldn't be challenged. Otherwise, why take the risk?
The calculus changed the day before Tony Raimondo switched parties. Scott Kleeb made a signal to all of us. He was seriously considering this race.
The choice comes now. Will we be the party of the lifelong Republican who chooses to be a Democrat out of political expediency, or will we be the party of someone who understands what the Democratic Party is about. A common message. A common purpose. Not a message of the businesses, but the message of those who are seeing their jobs shipped overseas. Not a message of the CEOs, but the labor unions they are trying to bust. Not a message of money, but a message of hope.
This is about all of us. As Nebraskans. As Democrats. Scott Kleeb will likely make a decision in the next week. I think our choice is clear.