Lincoln Journal Star - "Bush boosts Johanns"

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Lincoln Journal Star - "Bush boosts Johanns"

President George W. Bush wrapped an arm around Mike Johanns on Wednesday, showered him with praise and raised an estimated $750,000 for his Senate campaign. The president flew to Omaha to lend his support to the man he first knew when they were fellow governors and who served as his secretary of agriculture for nearly three years. Johanns, he said, "understands the issues that the people who work the soil will face." And, Bush said, Johanns is knowledgeable on national security matters after participating in the Cabinet.

"It is important for the people of Nebraska to have a senator who understands the realities of the world and is willing to support the government in its efforts to protect the American people," Bush said in prepared remarks. "I know you're going to make up your own mind for what's right, but if I was a voter in this state, I'd sure pull that lever for Mike Johanns for United States senator."

The president's remarks were delivered on the tarmac at Eppley Airfield shortly after he landed Wednesday morning. Bush flung an arm around Johanns' shoulder as they walked to a podium. Later, he extolled Johanns at a private fund-raising event at the Walter Scott estate, where about 300 contributors heard surprisingly lengthy remarks from Bush. "The president told me privately that he wanted to talk to Nebraskans about what it is like to be the president, make the very important decisions confronting the Oval Office and handle the day-to-day responsibilities," Johanns said.

"He did exactly that and more." Bush's 45-minute message centered on "spreading freedom around the world," Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood of Norfolk said.

"I thought he was upbeat, positive, optimistic," Flood said. "And very down-to-earth, talking about being rooted in west Texas values and returning to west Texas."

Bush also had kind words for Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who flew to Omaha with the president on Air Force One. Bruning withdrew from the 2008 Republican Senate race last month to clear the path for Johanns. Bush said he appreciated the difficult decision Bruning made, Flood said, and urged Republicans to tell the attorney general he has a bright future.

Following the event, Johanns said: "I could not have asked for a better campaign kick-off." In an e-mail interview later in the day, Johanns said he appreciates the president's support, but would use his own judgment as a U.S. senator. He already has differed with Bush on immigration reform.

"I'm going to do what's best for Nebraska and in the interests of our nation," Johanns said.

"I won't hesitate for a minute to stand up and voice my disagreement with the president when I have a difference of opinion. But let's remember that there will be a new president in January 2009." Nebraska's next senator will take office that month, succeeding Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, who is not seeking a third term. Johanns is opposed in the GOP primary by Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn. The president's appearance in Nebraska triggered quick reaction from Democrats.

"Nebraska has a history of sending strong, independent voices to Washington, but Mike Johanns keeps showing that he's neither," said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington. Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson defended Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo's decision to switch his party registration from Republican to Democratic in advance of a possible Senate race.

"Nebraska has a long history of supporting independent leaders, most of whom have changed parties," Nelson said. He noted that Johanns, who won two gubernatorial elections as a Republican, was once a registered Democrat.

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