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 has faced a decidedly uphill battle against longtime politician Mike Johanns, a former governor and U.S. agriculture secretary. The Republican has raised much more money than Kleeb and started with much higher name recognition.

Sarah Pompei, Johanns’ communications director, said the candidate released his 14-page policy plan in June and “intends to work for Nebraska as he has in the past.’’ The plan is available on Johanns’ Web site.

Kleeb most recently worked as a history instructor at Hastings College. He ran for Nebraska’s 3rd District House seat in 2006, losing to Republican Adrian Smith.

Lincoln mayor Chris Beutler called Kleeb, a Yale-educated former ranch hand, one of the state’s “best and brightest.’’

“Scott showed a great deal of courage in taking on a campaign that he knew would be very, very difficult, but I’m confident he’ll come through,’’ Beutler said.

Also running are Green Party candidate Steve Larrick and the Nebraska Party’s Kelly Renee Rosberg.

They are vying for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, who did not seek a third term.

Kleeb’s other commitments: not to take any junkets or gifts from lobbyists; to make his first bill one to end tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas and use the savings to create renewable energy jobs in Nebraska; to host an online meeting for constituents every three months; and to continue to live in Hastings with his wife and two daughters.