Sioux City Journal - "Kleeb: This Time for the U.S. Senate"

News Article

Sioux City Journal - "Kleeb: This Time for the U.S. Senate"

At age 30 in 2006, Scott Kleeb of Hastings ran for federal office, but lost in the Nebraska 3rd District Congressional District to Republican Adrian Smith.

Democrat Kleeb wasn't daunted. He's back again pursuing federal office, this time for the U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska now held by Republican Chuck Hagel.

But in order to be the Democratic candidate on the November ballot, Kleeb must get by Democrat Tony Raimondo, a Columbus businessman, in the party primary on May 13. Former Gov. Mike Johanns is widely expected to win the Republican nomination.

Kleeb is a rancher and Hastings College history instructor. On Wednesday, he was pleased to surpass his goal of raising $25,000 in online donations in a week, going well past that with nearly $37,000 amassed in four days. In an interview prior to his Thursday meeting with the Wayne State College Young Democrats, Kleeb said that fundraising is indicative of growing support for his campaign.

"People are hungry for change, they are hungry for fresh ideas," he said.

Kleeb said he defied the odds by running well in the congressional race, since it is one of the Top 10 districts nationally in terms of Republican registered voter strength. He finished with 45 percent of the vote, and contended Smith might not have won without campaign stops from President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and $400,000 in spending from the Club For Growth political action committee.

Kleeb said the top four issues he's addressing is the weak economy, health care, energy policy and the war in Iraq. He said eastern Nebraskans are quite concerned with losing their jobs and health insurance access, as well as the "spiraling cost" of health care.

Regarding Iraq, he said it's time for the U.S. "to begin drawing down (troops), the generals are saying this." Kleeb said the talk of the U.S. having a military presence in Iraq for 100 years isn't defensible, "people know we can't have that." He said the U.S. has to "replace a unilateral force with a multinational force" in Iraq, by getting more allies to send troops as the U.S. pulls out.

As a rancher and college instructor, Kleeb said he brings a common touch and core values that Nebraskans can trust.

"I think people are frustrated with politicians who don't realize the real life aspects of the bills that they write," he stated.

Raimondo had been a registered Republican for many years, but just recently switched to a Democratic affiliation to run for the Senate.

"Tony has to answer a hard question -- If he can't beat Johanns as a Republican, what makes him think he can beat him as a Democrat?" Kleeb said.

Source