No polls? That's how Raimondo rolls

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10329195

Published Thursday May 8, 2008
No polls? That's how Raimondo rolls
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

COLUMBUS, Neb. — Tony Raimondo broke into a broad smile Wednesday when his campaign manager bemoaned the lack of public opinion polling in Nebraska's U.S. Senate primary race.

In some ways, Raimondo and his three-month-old campaign are "flying blind."

Raimondo doesn't know if he's gaining ground in the Democratic primary contest against Scott Kleeb, or if his emphasis on business experience is winning over voters.

Unlike his campaign staffers, Raimondo is OK with uncertainty. After years of handling crises in the business world, he said, he has learned the value of patience.

Raimondo said it would have been pointless to poll early in the race, when few Nebraskans knew his name. Now he has decided to spend his campaign dollars elsewhere.

Raimondo said he doesn't need an opinion poll to give him comfort.

"There are so many uncertainties. I'm just feeling good about wherever we're going," said Raimondo, who spent Wednesday giving radio interviews and shaking hands in downtown Columbus, a community of about 21,000 and the candidate's hometown for more than 25 years.

FULL story at link.

[TheFarseer]

1. who's going to win this, Steve?

my gut says Kleeb, but I have no idea.

[residentfan]

2. Not Raimondo

Raimondo is a disaffected Republican who is only running as a Democrat because he knew he could not beat Johannes in the primary.

[Omaha Steve]

3. I'm really pissed at Esch

He endorsed Raimondo the other day. No polls that I know of. I too feel Kleeb will win.

[TheFarseer]

4. That surprises me

I thought Kleeb and Esch could be complementary to each other on the campaign - do events together and such, but I guess not. I don't like everything about Esch, but he's better than Terry for sure and he's going to run a credible campaign. I don't think Carter will run a campaign that has a chance of winning. It's nice we have choices instead of the third district where I don't think anyone is even challenging that pos Smith.

btw - Kleeb campaign called me last night and I told them they could count on my vote. I should have asked them how they thought the race was going.

[residentfan]

5. District 3

There are challengers to Smith in District 3, but they are very weak.