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.

Voter writes his concerns about outsourcing on Scott's truck in Ord.

A lot has changed in the country since Kleeb won the primary, especially with the economy. That is why Kleeb says working to fix the problem will be his top priority. Kleeb says investment in the state is part of the answer.

"We need to invest in infrastructure in this state, build transmission lines so we can actually generate wind power in the state of Nebraska. we have the potential to generate two and a half times our electrical needs," he said.

Kleeb says this investment will amount to more jobs in Nebraska, but the investment is long overdue.

"We are spending money, way too much money and what do we have to show for it? More debt. But what we should have been doing is spending money in ways that support businesses and support families, create jobs and help our national security," said Kleeb.

Kleeb hopes to bring those changes to Washington.

"If I can join people like Ben Nelson on being a true champion of the bipartisan approach to solving the biggest issues that our nation faces that's a step in the right direction," he said.

If he is elected, Kleeb vows to put Nebraska's interest first without forgetting who got him there in the first place.

"While it will be tough there will be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people standing with me to give me strength that we need in times like this to break that influence that special interests have had. That's the strength that too few people have when they go to Washington, he said."

The U.S. Senate race pits Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb against Republican Mike Johanns. They're vying for the Senate seat to be vacated by current Republican Chuck Hagel.

Voter signs Scott's truck in North Loup.

Scott with supporters in Minden.

Messages from voters on Scott's truck.

Voter signs Scott's truck in Gothenburg.

To follow Scott's "Countdown to Change" statewide tour, please click here for more information.