Democrat saddles up for a red-state ride (Kleeb-Ne) Chicago Tribune

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0608210209aug21,1,5066910.story?page=2&coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true



LETTER FROM HASTINGS

WESTERN NEBRASKA HASN'T ELECTED A DEMOCRAT SINCE 1958, BUT THAT'S NOT S
Democrat saddles up for a red-state ride

By Jeff Zeleny, Tribune national political correspondent, recently in Nebraska
Published August 21, 2006

Never mind that Western Nebraska hasn't elected a Democrat to Congress since 1958.

But is a Democratic resurgence slowly creeping across Western states?

Wyoming, Montana and Kansas--a trio of so-called red, Republican states--have Democratic governors. And Democrats there have fielded an unusually high number of competitive candidates in Senate and House races this year.

Here in Hastings, Kleeb realizes he is running upstream in a Republican district. When you ask him why he's a Democrat, he begins by pointing to the year 1947, when his grandparents got power on their Nebraska ranch.

Then, he fast-forwards to the future.

"We need to get back to talking about finding ways of expanding wealth for more people," Kleeb said, driving over to the Adams County Fairgrounds. "That's what electricity was all about. That's what all of FDR's reforms were about."

So how can a Democrat run for Congress in one of the reddest states in America? (He is running against Republican Adrian Smith, 36, to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Osborne, a Republican, who is leaving Congress after losing his bid for governor.)

"We're hitting it as many times as we can that we're a different kind of Democrat. If it's a throwback, that's great," Kleeb said. "But this is a very independent-minded district. They want to look you in the eye, which is why I don't wear sunglasses. They want to size you up and see who you are."

At the same time, he doesn't hesitate reminding folks of just one more thing: The other day, he suited up and went to the rodeo.

[LWolf]

1. Worth watching this one.

It will be interesting to see if Democrats can make headway outside of urban/suburban areas, where people are adamantly patriotic, pro-gun, often pro-war (if not pro-stupid war,) christian, and prefer government to stay out of their business.

[MaineDem]

2. I like this guy

I've met him and he has a good chance, I think. He may be short of cash but I think he'll pick up some as time goes along.

Besides, he's gorgeous! :)

[Omaha Steve]

3. When he and his wife are on the rode....

IF they don't have a place to stay the night at a supporters house, they stay in the camper. He doesn't want to spend campaign funds on a motel. Great guy too.

[MaineDem]

4. I was very impressed when I met him

I believe he has a PhD and rode in rodeos. How much better can one get in the midwest?