Results tagged “On the Road” from ScottKleeb.com

The Panhandle Progress Tour: Day Four

Hey there, this is Scott Kleeb's world-famous bodyman Kevin “Cheese” Bieging, here to provide you the thrilling conclusion to our four-day Panhandle Progress Tour here in Western Nebraska (make sure to check out part 1, part 2 and part 3).

First of all, I'd just like to apologize for the delay. We had a big day yesterday, with news coming out that we outraised our opponent Mike Johanns for the second fundraising quarter. The momentum for Scott Kleeb is building. I know because I've seen it firsthand.

Brunch in the Garden in Gering

We started the day with brunch at a supporter's house in Gering. Carolee is a fantastic host who opened her beautiful home to our campaign the last two nights of our visit, and we had a great time eating food and mingling with supporters in her garden out back (I was particularly fond of the cheesy potato casserole, which filled up most of my two plates).

Scott talked for a long time with Jerrod of the Panhandle Area Development District about that organization's new strategy for economic development. He also talked with Taylor, who's just about to start Kindergarten and seemed very worried about the flies in the garden.

After lingering around and talking to everyone we possibly could, we had to hit the road to get started on the four hour drive down to McCook.

Ask Scott Anything in McCook

After a long drive that included a brief stop by the gorgeous Chimney Rock Historic Site in Morrill County (see above for photographic proof), we arrived in McCook for a Meet and Greet at the Chief Best Western Hotel. Scott was greeted by several enthusiastic supporters as well as reporters from the local newspaper and radio station.

Read coverage of Scott's speech in the McCook Gazette.

This event was a success in large part due to the leg work of Mitty with the Red Willow County Democrats. We even ran into someone who went to school with Scott's grandfather back in Curtis. Like I've said before, it's a great feeling to run into new friends and familiar faces everywhere you go.

A Look Back

From McCook we hit the road back to Hastings. Looking back, I think about all the hands we shook and all the different stories we heard and I'm amazed that it all took place in just four days. Looking ahead, I can't wait to get back on the road and meet even more voters in the 112 days left until the Election.

Here are a few bonus pictures from our adventures this weekend. Hope to talk to you soon. Until then, don't forget to send your contribution to Scott Kleeb for Senate today. It's your donations that have made this all possible, and for that I can only say: thank you.

The Panhandle Progress Tour: Day Three

For those of you just tuning in, this is Kevin "Cheese" Bieging, Scott Kleeb's very own personal body man, reporting to you live from the road out here in Western Nebraska.

Yesterday was day three of our four day, fifteen event Panhandle Progress Tour (make sure to check out part 1 and part 2), and this time our travels brought us to the Oregon Trail Days celebration in Scottsbluff/Gering. No sight-seeing today, just some good 'ole-fashion retail politics, with Scott making a lot of new friends and seeing a lot of familiar faces as well.

The Parade
We started the day with about 25 supporters at the Oregon Trail Days parade. For those of you who've never tried to keep up with Scott Kleeb in a parade, let me assure you that it's pretty exhausting. He's become quite adept at zooming from one side of the street to another, shaking every hand he can reach and engaging in conversations with everyone he can.
At the end of the parade we encountered a large family in a tent chanting "We want Scott! We want Scott!" Needless to say, Scott went over to say hi, and I wasn't sure that we'd ever get him back. Everyone wanted a photograph, a handshake, a hug... he even busted out the old Scott-a-graph for some campaign memorabilia a time or two.

The Cook-off
From there we headed towards a barbecue in the park, where Scott took interviews with KNEB radio and the Gering Courier before working the room and shaking some more hands. He even stopped to talk with an Elvis impersonator. I'm not real sure what the two of them talked about, but I have my theories...

From the barbecue we went to the State Champion CASI Chili Cook-off, where Scott and I both served as judges for the green chili contest. My favorite was number 7, because it was the spiciest, but Scott was a fan of number 6 (a good choice, I'll admit). We talked to some of the cooks afterwards, though thankfully the double-blind nature of the contest saved Scott from some of the potential political ramifications of his vote.

From there we went to watch the tractor pull (the highlight of the tour for me personally), lingered around and talked to some more voters before heading to our next event.

Boots and Beer Gering
We ended the night with a "Boots and Beer" rally at Gilli's Gas and Fill, and boy was that crowd pumped. The room was literally overflowing with supporters, and Scott got a great response from his speech about how Nebraska can help transform our energy economy.

After speaking, Scott worked the room and talked modern railroad issues with Reub of UTU local 257. Reub's concerned about the increasing automation of the railroad industry today, and what that means for the many communities that are still dependent on railroad labor.

Afterwards, Matt with the Scottsbluff County Democrats bought a round for the campaign. Good times!

Of course, it's always nice to end on a high note, especially seeing as how I had to wake up at 4:00 this morning. Oh well, I guess that's just the price you pay for living the dream.

That's all for now. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion to our series. And, as always, don't forget to contribute to Scott Kleeb for Senate today. Remember: your contributions make this all possible.

The Panhandle Progress Tour: Day Two

For those of you who missed our adventures last time, my name is Kevin "Cheese" Bieging, Scott Kleeb's "body man" extraordinaire, and yes that's me standing in front of the world famous Carhenge in Alliance, NE.

Now I know some of you may be wondering: just who is that guy, and what is he doing posing for a picture in front of one of the world's most beautiful monuments to one of America's most beautiful inventions? Well, it's a long story, but it all starts with our four day, fifteen event Panhandle Progress Tour. Yesterday was day two, as we continued to blaze our trail west and reach out to voters from all different backgrounds, communities and perspectives.

Read coverage of our tour in the Sidney Sun Telegraph

Breaking the Ice in Bridgeport
We started the day with a couple of retail events in Bridgeport. First stop was the Meadowlark Inn and Restaurant, where we were greeted with open arms and a hearty meal. Scott sat down for a long conversation with a couple who have a son serving in Iraq, talking about the need to develop a sensible strategy to honor the commitment of our troops. Scott talked so long, in fact, that we were a little late in getting to our second event of the day: a meet-and-greet at the Heritage Nursing Home.

This is a picture of Scott talking with Marie, an enthusiastic supporter who joked about becoming the first Kleeb campaign organizer in Bridgeport. I don't know, from the looks of the crowds we saw today I'd say she might have some competition for the job.

Bringing it Home in Alliance
We were headed towards Alliance with a little time to spare, so we decided to take a little detour to see Carhenge. After our little sight-seeing expedition, we landed at the IAM Local 602 Hall for a rally with local union members. Scott talked about his recent visit to Irwin Industrial Tool in De Witt. Irwin Tool was founded by a local blacksmith who invented the Vise Grip in 1924, and ever since the town has beeen one of the biggest names in tool production worldwide. In a town of about 570, 340 people work for that factory. Unfortunately, word has it that the plant is closing and production is being shipped overseas, all to save just a fraction on overall costs.

Scott talked about the need to support fair trade policies and to invest programs that keep and create good paying jobs right here in Nebraska.

An Evening in the Park
After the union rally, we headed to Alliance's Central Park for dinner and a meet-and-greet with supporters. There, Scott ran into Dick, an old friend of his mom Joann who was her date to the high school senior prom. Dick showed Scott some photos from the good 'ole days and Scott put him on the phone with Joann to catch up.
Scott took a question from the audience about what they could do to get more people engaged. He talked about the need for more action at the community level, and challenged everyone in the room to find five people to bring into the campaign. You could tell the audience was really pumped and he got a standing ovation at the end.

Scott also took a question from Ramona, an old friend, asking how he was getting by on the campaign trail. "Are you staying in hotels, or do you still sleep in the back of the pickup truck?" she laughed. Scott assured her that he wasn't doing either, hopping from house to house and saving the hotel money for greater purposes. This campaign is all about fiscal responsibility.

Hop from house to house we did, as we stayed in a very comfortable bed thanks to a very loyal supporter last night. It's a great feeling to have friends every where that you go.

Speaking of which, I've got to go to our next event. Remember to check back in for another update tomorrow, and please send a contribution to Scott Kleeb for Senate today. It really is because of contributions like yours that we're able to be out on the road reaching so many voters in the first place. You just have to see Scott talk to voters to know that we have a real shot at an upset in the Cornhusker state.

Until tomorrow, from the traveling Kleeb campaign
Jessica (press), Kevin (body man), and Laura (field).

The Panhandle Progress Tour: Day One

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 ;)