The Latest
Kleeb: Undecided voters hold the cards
by George Lauby (North Platte Bulletin) - 11/2/2008
The race for the U.S. Senate has come down to undecided voters, Scott Kleeb said Sunday in North Platte, as he urged supporters to walk neighborhoods and talk to voters.
The Senate candidate stopped in North Platte on a 10-day, 30-city sweep of the state. He spoke to nearly 50 people.
Kleeb, a college teacher, ag-business developer and Democrat hopeful, said he has solid support in Lincoln and Omaha, where thousands of new Democrat voters have registered. He said he is within reach of his opponent, political veteran Mike Johanns. Pollsters show Kleeb gaining with undecided voters.
"And, the good news is that we are down to the undecided," Kleeb said. "The race will be won right here."
"We face almost insurmountable challenges affecting our children and grandchildren," Kleeb said, and he listed the major issues "national debt, a global financial breakdown, a crisis in both health insurance and health care, aging roads, utilities and buildings, terrorist threats, two wars halfway around the world and dwindling energy supplies. "
Kleeb says growing dissatisfaction fueling campaign
By ROBERT PORE, The Grand Island Independent
Posted Nov 01, 2008
The story of why Scott Kleeb is running for the U.S. Senate is written all over his Chevy Silverado pickup.
In the past week, more than 400 people across Nebraska (including Grand Islander voters on Saturday) have taken a marker and expressed their frustrations about what's wrong with America all over Kleeb's pickup, along with their support for the Yale graduate and Nebraska ranch hand.
Those voters' frustrations run deep, based on what people are writing on Kleeb's pickup. A sampling of the concerns ranges from jobs to health care, to education, to the way people around the world see the U.S., to crime on the streets. It is a virtual laundry list of concerns Nebraskans have across the state, Kleeb said.
He and his pickup were in Grand Island on Saturday morning as his campaign as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate heads to the finish line in his race against Republican Mike Johanns.
Countdown to Change Tour Continues
Profile by CHIE SAITO, 10/11 News
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2008
You will not hear Nebraska's Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Scott Kleeb make any promises. That is because he has outlined his commitment to voters instead. However Kleeb has chosen a unique way to display those commitments to voters--on the hood of his 2001 pickup truck.
On his truck, voters will find a list of ten commitments dealing with anything from access to health care for all Nebraskans to transparency and personal accountability.
"This is permanent marker so it's gonna travel with me," Kleeb said.
Kleeb hopes to take the truck with him to Washington D.C. However, the actual road there started at home.
"My wife actually convinced me to run. She said something very simply to me, she said you know you look at our two little girls and what kind of world do we want to pass on to those little girls," said Kleeb.
Kleeb vows to decline Senate health care
By ANNA JO BRATTON / The Associated Press
Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 05:39:27 pm CDT
OMAHA — Democrat Scott Kleeb made 10 promises to Nebraskans Thursday, including that if elected he won’t accept Senate health care until all Nebraskans have access to health care.
Flanked by the Democratic mayors of the state’s two largest cities, Kleeb announced his “commitments’’ to Nebraska with just 12 days until the Nov. 4 election.
He vowed not to accept a pay raise unless the budget is balanced. He said he’ll publish his entire schedule on the Internet and won’t conduct any secret meetings.
Kleeb also said he would have annual independent audits of his Senate office, like businesses do. He said he won’t vote for any new spending unless there is a specific way to pay for it.
“We have a real opportunity with this election. It’s about a new direction for our country,’’ Kleeb said. “It’s about re-establishing some sort of trust with the electorate again.’’
Kleeb challenges Johanns in Grand Island
Kleeb pokes at Johanns in final debate
BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Oct 16, 2008 - 11:14:11 pm CDT
Kleeb seized upon this week’s report by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform detailing political trips by Bush administration Cabinet officers to help Republican candidates in the 2006 election.
As U.S. secretary of agriculture, Johanns attended 38 events recommended by the White House Office of Political Affairs headed by Karl Rove, according to the committee report.
Most of the travel costs for Rove-generated events were paid with federal funds, the report stated.
Answering a question posed by a panelist during the debate monitored on radio station KRGI’s Web site, Johanns said he believes it would be “a great idea” to ban the use of taxpayer funds by the White House for such activities.
Any trips that were political in nature were not paid for with Department of Agriculture tax funds, Johanns said.
“You had the opportunity to say this is wrong,” said Kleeb, the Democratic nominee.
“Why are we using taxpayer dollars for political purposes?”
Ongoing questions about Secretary Johanns' use of taxpayer funds
The recent release of the House Oversight Committee report investigating political travel by White House cabinet secretaries and senior officials has raised sustained questions inside and outside of Nebraska about Mike Johanns' use of taxpayer dollars for political travel in 2006.
The Washington Times reported on the scandal here:
"The Bush administration's political affairs office orchestrated an aggressive strategy to use taxpayer-funded trips to help elect Republican candidates, says a draft House report that recommends eliminating the office in future administrations or revamping laws to prevent such activity.
The office coordinated travel to 326 Republican campaign events in the 10-month run-up to the 2006 elections - more than one per day. It included trips to 35 states by officials from 12 Cabinet agencies and three independent offices, despite Hatch Act prohibitions on political activity by members of the executive branch other than the president and vice president, the report said."
Kleeb: I Haven't Been Part Of "Broken Washington"
By Tia Heidebrecht
Kleeb: I Haven't Been Part Of "Broken Washington"
The economy, healthcare and energy; three topics that U.S. Senate Candidate, Scott Kleeb, talked to Siouxland students about.
The Young Democrats at Wayne State College brought Kleeb to Wayne.
Kleeb took questions from the 80 students faculty and community members in attendance.
He says he's the best candidate for the job because he hasn't been part of the "broken system" in Washington.
"I know what it's like to balance a family budget," Kleeb said. "I know what it's like to live through decreased wages and higher costs on healthcare and energy on a whole host of things.
"We need more people to understand what life is like for middle class families all across our state," Kleeb said. "We also need people who understand what the choices for the future are."
Kleeb is running against, former two time Republican Governor and former Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns.
Kleeb: Johanns hurt Nebraska by closing hospitals
By ANNA JO BRATTON / The Associated Press
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008 - 09:13:15 pm CDT
OMAHA Democratic Senate hopeful Scott Kleeb says Republican Mike Johanns failed Nebraska by closing state psychiatric hospitals when he was governor.
At a health forum in Omaha Tuesday, Kleeb said Johann's plan eliminated funding for those needing mental health care and didn't make sure the displaced patients had someplace to go.
Scott Kleeb statement on the Proposed Bailout Package
OMAHA, NE- Today, U.S. Senate candidate Scott Kleeb released the following statement on the new compromise bailout proposal in the Senate:
"While this bill is better than the one considered earlier this week, it still gives far too much power to the Secretary of Treasury and includes far too little support for middle class families. Washington had two bites at the apple, and they failed us both times."
"But as concerned as I am by these shortcomings, I'm even more concerned about the cost of inaction. We all saw what happened when stocks plummeted on Monday, and I am not willing to gamble my daughters' futures on an erratic market that's been caused by Washington's recklessness. So I would reluctantly support the current proposal."
Nebraska State Education Association Endorses Scott Kleeb for U.S. Senate
OMAHA, NE - Yesterday, the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) officially endorsed Scott Kleeb for U.S. Senate.
Upon learning of the NSEA endorsement Kleeb released the following statement:
"I am honored to receive the support of Nebraska's educators. In an increasingly competitive global economy, it is our duty to give Nebraska's students the skills they need to compete. I look forward to working with our state's educators to ensure that students in Nebraska have the high quality education they deserve, that teachers have the resources they need, and that all Nebraskans have access to quality, affordable and portable health care," said Kleeb. "As the son of two teachers and as an educator myself, I understand firsthand the dedication these professionals bring to work each day. As a U.S. Senator, I pledge to bring that same work ethic to Washington."
NSEA voted to endorse Kleeb after interviewing both Scott Kleeb and his opponent on issues affecting children, teachers and student achievement. Founded in 1867, NSEA represents 28,000 teachers, principals and public school employees across Nebraska.
Nebraska Senate Race Hits the Pumps
Nebraska Senate Race Hits the Pumps: Action 3 News
Posted: Sep 14, 2008 10:51 PM
Omaha, NE - The Senate race reaches the pumps in Nebraska. Scott Kleeb, who's running for Chuck Hagel's Senate seat, spoke with voters Sunday at the Hy-Vee gas station near 50th and Center. He was sharing his message on how to tackle high gas prices.
"We should be drilling more," Kleeb says. "We also should be doing better with corn-based ethanol and wind power that we've got right here in Nebraska." Kleeb blames failure of leadership for high gas prices.
Wauneta Breeze: Kleeb says, "Strong Leadership needed for Nebraska"
By Tina Kitt
The Wauneta Breeze
U.S. senate candidate Scott Kleeb and a team of young campaign staffers made their way across western Nebraska last week, with the schedule including stops in Imperial, Curtis and Madrid.
Kleeb, a 33-year-old Democrat, is seeking to upend Republican heavy-weight Mike Johanns, a former Nebraska governor who served as U.S. secretary of agriculture before stepping down to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Chuck Hagel who has opted not to seek re-election.
Kleeb was the guest of honor at a Boots and Barbecue potluck dinner at the Imperial City Park Wednesday after a day spent meeting with students and staff at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis and touring the ethanol plant at Madrid.
Statement on the Anniversary of 9/11
"Today, we remember the lives lost during the attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001. We will never forget the heroism of our police, firefighters and emergency responders, and the courage of the family members who survived. America's greatest strength shines through even on our darkest days.
Today, we remember that strength and recommit ourselves alongside our brave men and women in uniform to defending our nation and bringing terrorists to justice."
- Scott Kleeb, September 11, 2008
130 Turn Out for Kleeb Lincoln Office Opening
130 Nebraskans turned out to greet Scott Kleeb, staff and supporters at the Lincoln office opening Monday night.
Jessica Garson, Lincoln Regional Field Director, was impressed with the turnout: "We were overwhelmed with the level of enthusiasm and turnout at our office opening and look forward to the Lincoln office being a hub for Scott Kleeb's campaign in the 1st District."
Jim Green, Field Director for Nebraskans for Kleeb offered, "This is an example of the energy and interest we are seeing all over Nebraska for Scott's campaign. Scott's message is resonating with donors and volunteers who are turning out to phone bank and canvas for this campaign."
Scott Kleeb takes a strong stand for affordable Health Care
From KOLN.com
Johanns, Kleeb Debate in Scottsbluff
One of Democratic Senate candidate Scott Kleeb's sharpest attacks against GOP rival Mike Johanns last night dealt with health care coverage.
Kleeb accused Johanns of stating that most Nebraskans feel they have good health coverage.
Kleeb ridiculed that claim, saying about 200,000 Nebraskans lack health care coverage, and most who have it fear losing it.
Scott Kleeb tours Madrid Corn-based Ethanol Plant
Scott Kleeb kicked off his Rural Nebraska tour with a guided walk-through of the Standard Ethanol plant in Madrid, Nebraska.
Scott Kleeb is committed to creating jobs in rural America. Creating good-paying, locally-based jobs is the basis of Scott's Rural America policies and corn-based ethanol is an essential component of that plan. Scott is proud to have toured the Standard Ethanol plant in Madrid.
For photos of Scott's tour of the Standard Ethanol in Madrid Nebraska plant click below.
Scott Kleeb joins Labor at the Omaha Labor Day Parade: photos
Scott Kleeb joined tens of thousands of union workers and their families Monday at the annual Omaha Labor Day Parade in downtown Omaha.
A pleasant September morning greeted the crowds gathered along the parade route. Scott Kleeb and his wife Jane joined those enjoying the floats, balloons and creative displays. Scott Kleeb stands strong with every last hard-working Nebraskan and is proud to be endorsed by Nebraska's AFL-CIO and Change to Win.
You can see Scott interacting with Omaha supporters in the photo essay below...
Senator Menendez visits Nebraskans for Kleeb
United States Senator Robert Menendez visited Omaha and Nebraskans for Kleeb this weekend in support of Scott Kleeb's Senate campaign.
Senator Menendez and Scott Kleeb met with Latino leaders in South Omaha Friday and later in the day toured an ethanol plant in Adams. A member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Menendez wants learn more about Nebraska's ethanol potential and Kleeb's ideas to use Nebraska's resources to promote renewable energy.
Senator Menendez with Scott Kleeb at Nebraskans for Kleeb Headquarters
Kleeb Puts Nebraska First
Scott Kleeb participated in a U.S. Senate debate at the State Fair on Saturday. Kleeb's performance proved he is the only candidate who will put Nebraska first, and established clear contrasts with his main opponent, Mike Johanns.
"We have to recognize that Nebraska's interests need to be first and foremost for the next U.S. Senator," Kleeb said.
Channel 10/11 News has full video of the debate for anyone who wasn't able to see it live. Click here to watch the State Fair Debate
Scott Kleeb unveils new policy book
Scott Kleeb unveils his new policy book "Nebraska's Brand of Change" today.
You can download the 54 page document by following the link below.
or read it online on our Issues Page.
Canvass Kick-Off Rocks South Omaha
United States Senate candidate Scott Kleeb joined Jim Esch, candidate for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District, Heath Mello, candidate for Legislature in LD-5 , and Jeremy Nordquist candidate for Legislature in LD-7 and a team of over 30 staff and volunteers from all four campaigns for a Canvass Kick-Off in South Omaha Saturday.
The canvass kick-off focused on educating Omaha voters about early voting and distributing early voting forms door-to-door. (To read more about early voting and to request a ballot, visit the Nebraska Secretary of State's Website.)
Jim Esch, Scott Kleeb and Heath Mello canvassing in South Omaha
Click below for some photos from the Omaha Canvass Kick-Off.
Nebraskans for Kleeb Launches New Ad and Fundraising drive during Olympics
Our campaign launches a new ad tonight during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. It's the first ad by either candidate for United States Senate in Nebraska in the general election cycle.
The ad, "Future," features Scott Kleeb and his daughter, Maya, and introduces Scott as a candidate for United States Senate to a state-wide audience on prime-time television.
In addition to the front page of this website, you can see the ad at Scott's YouTube channel and at this fundraising page.
Kleeb Hears Tribe's Concerns
By Anna Jo Bratton, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kleeb asked what issues were important in Winnebago, located along the Missouri River 75 miles north of Omaha with a population of about 770. The city is largely made up of government-subsidized housing and a strip of older buildings holding tribal government offices.
“What’s one thing you wish someone in my position could hear, that could make life better?” Kleeb asked. “I’m not here to sell myself to you. I’ll be doing plenty of that.”
Listening to Health Care Professionals in Lincoln
Today, Scott Kleeb continued his Building a Better Nebraska Tour by participating in a roundtable discussion with health care professionals in Lincoln.
Lori Seibel, the President of Community Health Endowment, talked about "health care by negotiation" that addresses patients' need to have someone negotiating their care between insurance companies, specialists, and primary care providers. Becky Gould, Executive Director of the Nebraska Appleseed, addressed the need to increase access for low-income families. All of the participants stressed the importance of fundamental reform, including integration of services, portability of insurance plans, and accessibility of care.
"There's more to our health care system than just numbers on a piece of paper," Kleeb said. "No one understands these issues better than the people who live them everyday. That's why it's so critical that we include their voices in our democratic process."
Scott Kleeb's grassroots campaign for United States Senate remains committed to involving and engaging as many Nebraskans as possible. As the Building a Better Nebraska Tour continues to develop and adds even more cities to the schedule, one things is clear: putting people at the center of our politics is a Nebraska value.
A Picture is Worth a Million Dollars
Dear Friends,
When I heard that we were closing in on our first million dollars raised, I started thinking about all the thousands of Nebraskans who have opened their homes and their hearts to this campaign. And honestly, I just couldn't think of a way to say "thank you" enough. So to mark this significant milestone, I've decided to offer a little something special to the donor who pushes us past the million dollar mark.
Please, join our community of supporters and contribute $500, $250, $100, or $25 today.
Over thirty years ago my father started taking photographs while serving as an educator on a U.S. military base overseas. And ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by the pictures he took and determined to take up the art of photography myself.
I've been taking pictures of my own since high school. Mostly I take pictures of people, but I tend to shy away from the conventional type of portrait. I find that you can tell a lot about someone by looking beyond their face; by looking at their arms, or their boots, or their hands.
Or, for that matter, at their budget. I know how difficult it can be in these tough times to help out a campaign like ours. And to show just how deep my gratitude really is, I'm going to offer the donor who pushes us over the million dollar mark a special picture taken by yours truly.
Please, contribute $500, $250, $100, or $25 to Scott Kleeb for Senate today.
For all that you've done and will continue to do, I just can't say enough. And it's at times like these that I let my pictures do the talking for me.
Thank you so much,
Scott Kleeb
P.S. Help put us over the million dollar mark. Please, contribute $500, $250, $100, or $25 to Scott Kleeb for Senate.
Kleeb preaches post-partisan change
By DON WALTON, Lincoln Journal Star
Kleeb hopes to make the sale this time as the candidate of change. And he’s counting on finding a lot more Monte Samuelsons out there who will respond to his post-partisan message.
Kleeb hits paydirt at the senior center in Lemoyne earlier in the day, when Samuelson shakes his hand. “I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Republican and you’ve got my vote,” he says.
Later, Samuelson explains: “I feel he’s a man who puts aside the party for whatever is good for the people. It’s time we come back to that.”
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.
Kleeb: Don't leave wrong kind of legacy
By Lorri Sughroue, McCook Gazette
The national debt stands at $9.4 trillion -- and seven years ago, there was a budget surplus.
That's not the kind of legacy anyone wants to leave their children, said Scott Kleeb, Democratic contender for the U.S. Senate.
Kleeb faces Republican challenger Mike Johanns, the former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Chuck Hagel, who chose not to run for re-election.
Kleeb stopped in McCook on Sunday evening as the last stop on his campaign swing across western Nebraska and told the crowd of about 24 that the national debt has increased more in the past seven and half years than with the past 42 presidents combined.
"We have got to make a change," he said. "We can't keep sending the same people back and expecting different results. If we do, we're to blame."
Kleeb pointed to the escalating oil prices, increasing energy costs that are affecting nearly every sector of the economy, rising healthcare costs and the lack of water policy for Nebraska as issues that have to be addressed sooner rather than later and with a new perspective.
"If something is not working … if you're happy with what we have now, then vote for (Johanns). He's a good guy," Kleeb said. "It's not about him, it's about him being part of a system that got us to this point where we are now."
The U.S. has got to get out from its dependence on foreign oil, he believes, and eventually, away from oil itself. "We can't drill our way out of this," he said.
The $700 billion that is spent annually on foreign oil could be spent investing in alternative fuel source, he said, such as ethanol, wind, solar, biodiesel and other renewable sources of energy. This would be especially good for Nebraska, he said, that "sits in the heart and soul" of alternative energy resources.
"We are on the cusp of a revolution in the way we consume and produce energy," Kleeb said and believes strongly that Nebraska is poised to become one of leading producers of these energy sources.
But that won't happen with no comprehensive energy strategy in place, he maintained. The $2.5 billion included in the Farm Bill for alternate energy resources sounds like a lot, he said, yet that same amount is spent each week in Iraq.
The lack of an energy strategy comes from a failure of leadership, he said. But nothing changes if nothing changes.
"We haven't had real leadership to get us there," he said. "But we know what has to happen. Folks know what the facts are. There is a difference between talk and action."
In addition to the necessity of alternative energy, Kleeb said his priorities included more funding for economic development in the Farm Bill; a national infrastructure plan between public and private entities, similar to a bill introduced in 2007 by Sen. Hagel and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D.-Conn.) and broadband internet access, as "broadband today is what electricity was years ago."
He also touched briefly on the Iraq War and emphasized that the solution in Iraq must come from Iraq.
Although schools and hospitals are being built with American dollars, the Iraq government must take ownership and invest some sweat equity or financial efforts to make it their own, he said, much like the way matching funds are used here for projects.
"There is no American solution -- it has to come from Iraq," he said.
Kleeb noted that donations and volunteers have exceeded his expectations during this recent campaign tour of western Nebraska. This is good news, he said, considering the third district of Nebraska, which covers the western half, is the fifth most conservative district in the country.
Still, he's taking nothing for granted: Kleeb pointed out that during his last run for public office, against Adrian Smith for the 3rd Congressional District seat, his campaign was gaining momentum until Nebraska was visited by the Vice President twice, the President once and seven members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House.
"They stopped what we started," he said. "but I think people fundamentally realize that we can do better than this."
Kleeb grew up on a military base overseas, the son of two teachers in the Department of Defense. He taught American History at Hastings College and is also director of the Morgan Ranch, a Nebraska-based beef company that promotes locally-grown food and responsible business practices. He lives in Hastings with his wife, Jane, and two young daughters.
'Boots and Barbecue' Well Attended
Kleeb said that America has faced and overcome difficult challenges before by people discarding party lines and working together.
“We are past bipartisanship,” he said. “The gas pump never asks you whether you’re a Democrat or Republican when you fill up. Your doctor doesn’t ask if you’re a Democrat or Republican when he asks whether or not you have insurance. Your school doesn’t care what your party is.”
Leading by Listening in Bellevue
Scott Kleeb launched his Building a Better Nebraska Tour in Bellevue this morning by listening to 29 Nebraskan veterans and military family members gathered at the Americana Bistro located just outside Offutt Air Force Base.
