Youthful Democrat Kleeb, seasoned Republican Johanns win (US Senate)

[Omaha Steve]

DUers for Kleeb on Act Blue: http://www.actblue.com/page/du_for_kleeb

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10334145

Published Wednesday May 14, 2008

BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Scott Kleeb's easy win in the Democratic Senate primary sets the stage for a race of sharp contrasts this fall.


Democrat Scott Kleeb and his family greet supporters at Zen's Lounge in Lincoln. Kleeb defeated Tony Raimondo in the primary for U.S. Senate.


Kleeb, a youthful politico pushing change, will face Republican Mike Johanns, a savvy veteran selling experience.

Kleeb, 32, trounced Tony Raimondo, 68, a Columbus business executive who never overcame resentment among some hard-core Democrats over his 11th-hour party switch last December.

But Kleeb offered a unity message Tuesday night at a gathering of about 75 friends and supporters at Zen's Lounge in downtown Lincoln. He talked about the need for people to come together — "neighbors to neighbors" — to make dramatic change in Washington.

"We work for change not because it's easy, but because it's right," said Kleeb, who took the stage with his wife, Jane Fleming-Kleeb, and their two young daughters.

Kleeb's win followed a low-key race fought largely over the airwaves. He won despite Raimondo outspending him about 2-to-1 on TV advertising.

Raimondo, 68, took the loss graciously. He praised Kleeb and criticized Republicans in Washington for losing their way.

Raimondo, the head of Behlen Manufacturing Co. in Columbus, had little time to organize a grass-roots campaign. He spent much of the campaign seeking to convince Democrats that he was a moderate whose business background would give him the winning edge.

"I was a half-step behind," Raimondo said. "I was in the learning curve. He had a jump-start on me, and I just couldn't catch him."

FULL story at link.

[cali]

1. Congratulations to Scott!

I know his run in November is a long shot, but who knows? Stranger things have happened, and he's an appealing candidate.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. It's a good day.

[suston96]

3. He could win in November. Depends on the coat-tails of the presidential nominee - eh? nt

[Robbien]

4. Raimondo was a real sleaze. This article is way too nice to him

Raimondo loaned his campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars and then ran a bunch of attack ads against Kleeb. Nebraska blogs were saying they were so sick and tired of the slew of Raimondo attack ads.

Raimondo lost this race as much as Kleeb won it. Of course Senator Schumer and the DSCC backed Raimondo even though Raimondo is a GOPer who turned Dem just for this race.