A purple Nebraska? Yes it is possible.

[NEDem]

From the Lincoln paper tonight

http://www.journalstar.com/news/local/doc47d0862f59abb004556047.txt

Democrat Barack Obama could win two of Nebraska’s five presidential electoral votes in a contest with Republican nominee John McCain, according to the results of a SurveyUSA poll.

The poll of 623 registered voters in Nebraska showed McCain barely defeating Obama statewide while narrowly losing the two congressional districts that include Lincoln and Omaha.

<More at Link above>


From the Omaha paper on Tuesday


http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=102740...

Published Tuesday | March 4, 2008
Obama could make contest in Nebraska
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


Ed Haefele is a Republican but not a rock-ribbed soldier of the GOP.

Click to Enlarge

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois speaks at a town hall meeting with veterans in San Antonio on Monday.
In 1964 he crossed party lines to vote for Lyndon B. Johnson. It was the last time that Haefele and Nebraska backed a Democratic presidential contender.

Today, Haefele is considering another trek across the partisan divide to support Barack Obama. He says he admires Obama's eloquence and intellect, despite some of the Democrat's "hare-brained" ideas, such as gun control.

"I think if I was in a closed voting booth and if I had a choice between (John) McCain or Obama, I would go with Obama," said Haefele, a retired political science professor from Pennsylvania who has lived in Alliance, Neb., since 1988.

"The man is a phenomenon," Haefele said.

Haefele is the type of Republican that Obama says he could attract in the fall, but is Obama enough of a wunderkind to pull an LBJ in Nebraska? Could he woo enough independents and Republicans like Haefele to pick off electoral votes in a red state like Nebraska?

It's not impossible, said several political observers and even some Republicans.

<more at link above>

[muntrv]

1. Warren Buffet has given props to Obama.

[NEDem]

2. Look, I realize that us hicks in Nebraska don't count

a Democrat hasn't won in Nebraska since LBJ, and here we are talking about how it is possible that Obama could win in 2 districts. I know this isn't some exciting thread, but its something that people need to realize is possible. But it only happens with Obama getting the nomination.

[Leopolds Ghost]

9. Of course we were told on DU that Kerry would do all this unprecedented stuff as well

Due to Bush's spectacularly low ratings in 2004.

We need to guard against whatever destroyed Kerry's chances in VA, Nebraska etc. be that simple vote fraud or anti-Yankee sentiment or tarring him falsely as richer and more privileged background than his opponent or Muslim or French or what have you.

[NEDem]

10. Kerry never had a poll like this

He never once actually had the numbers to back up the media speculation.

I have no expectations, but to see real hard numbers like this at this stage in the game is still astounding in and of itself.

[DearAbby]

3. really

:wow: Nebraska baby born there and transplanted to Colorado...good to know, I remember Nebraskans being Red. Great news.

Look for Colorado as well, this state may turn bluer :)

[NEDem]

4. I know, its shocking!

I've never seen a poll like this, EVER. This is a once in a generation opportunity.

[DearAbby]

8. that is what I think

I believe the Democrats will pull states that had never gone Dem before. (but don't sit on your haunches hoss, we have a lot of work to do)

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Damnit NEDem! You just brought tears to my eyes.

Dare we hope?
(double entendre unintentional, but apt)

[NEDem]

6. I've been active in Nebrasaka Dem politics my entire life

I've never seen anything like this, and I don't know that I will ever see anything like it again.

GOBAMA!

[LiberalAndProud]

7. My daughter caucused for Obama.

She was so excited to see the amazing turn-out from her generation. "It's us mom, it's my generation!" She has committed to vote for the Democrat in November, but she said she will be done with involvement in politics henceforth. This matters to her.

:edit typo