New Nebraska Network

• Lee Terry Declares Nebraska Republicans "The Party Of The Tea Party"

  Parcbench, a website trying very hard to make conservative politics appealing to young voters, did no service to their cause by interviewing Republican Congressman Lee Terry earlier this week.

  In between questions about who Terry would have supported between Dede Scozzafava and Doug Hoffman in a New York Congressional race [...]

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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 7:39pm EST
  

• Casting Stones: Politically-Motivated Hit Piece By Pete Ricketts' Mouthpiece

  Former journalist Joe Jordan published the following story at Nebraska Watchdog, suggesting that a conflict of interest may exist in today's decision by the Board of Regents whether to send the message to the world that the University of Nebraska is an "unsafe place for science":
  The man [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 10:11am EST
  

• Ben Nelson & Mike Johanns: Do The Job You Were Elected To Do!

  I just attended a rally at the state capitol asking Senators Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson to support the motion to proceed on health care reform that's likely to be held this weekend.    Before the rally began, the following video was shown featuring a young Nebraska woman at this' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:44pm EST
  

• Stem Cell Research Ban: Will Nebraska Be An Unsafe Place For Science?

  On Friday, November 20th, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider a controversial resolution to tie the hands of University scientists doing embryonic stem cell research.

  As celebrated in March, President Barack Obama has restored fact-based science to its rightful place in federal government policy, ending [...]

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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:35am EST
  

• The Counterfeit Congressman: "If Lee Terry Was Still In Law School....."

  This weekend, Lee Terry was one of 42 Congressional Represenatives caught in an embarrassing report by the New York Times passing off statements as their own in the Congressional record that came directly from a high-powered corporate lobbyist.  A great post at Daily Kos illustrates just how closely [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:36am EST
  

• Come Back To Us, Ben Nelson

  Senator Nelson was born in McCook (population 8,000), a rural southwestern town in Nebraska.  It is a typical rural mid-western town, with hard working people, trying to provide for their families, caring about their communities, and loving our country.  The town even labels itself "McCook - The American Experience". [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 4:01pm EST
  

• Tom White vs. Lee Terry: All The Difference In The World On Health Care Reform

  One week ago, the U.S. House of Representatives took a historic step forward in the decades-old struggle for real health care reform.  Unfortunately, our Republican Congressmen each voted lock-step with their party to kill the health care reform effort, despite the House legislation's incredible benefits for families, health care providers,' [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 11:51pm EST
  

• Why Is Dave Heineman So Embarrassed By His Own Budget Proposal?

  It was just 10 days ago that Gov. Dave Heineman issued the call for a special session of the Nebraska Legislature and released his plan to cut $334 million from the state's biennial budget to make up the shortfall in the state's revenue projections.  State Senators - particularly [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:57am EST
  

• Mike Johanns Spreads Fear & Lies in Town Hall Meeting

  Sen. Mike Johanns is holding some Town Hall meetings this week, and started with one in Grand Island Wednesday evening.

  If you had attended, you would have left with the following information: If health care reform passes, you will go broke. You will pay more taxes, your rates will [...]

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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:14am EST
  

• Neither Ben Nelson Nor Reactionary Left Should Hold Health Care Reform Hostage

  This weekend's historic victory for health care reform - with the narrow 220 - 215 passage of the House's legislation - has unfortunately been overshadowed by its last-minute inclusion of the Stupak Amendment.  Debate over this abortion-restricting amendment has been fierce - even right here on NNN. [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 12:28am EST
  

• Will Fortenberry, Terry, & Smith Really Say "No" To Health Care Reform?

  This weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives will hold a historic vote on H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act.  The passage of this bill will bring us one step closer to finally fulfilling the decades-old promise of real health care reform.

  Unfortunately, right now, it looks as if [...]

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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:31pm EST
  

• 198

  That is how many Nebraskans will die next year because they do not have health insurance.  Almost 200 of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors will die because they do not have access to basic, life sustaining care.  And that is [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 10:01pm EST
  

• SPECIAL SESSION: Heineman Lies To Protect $230 Million 'Ted Turner Entitlement'

  State Senators face some difficult choices in the budget-cutting special session of the Nebraska Legislature beginning this Wednesday, November 4th.  With the magnitude of the $334 million shortfall in the state budget, I've held off from offering any easy solutions - understanding that there is nothing of the sort.  I've [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 5:42am EST
  

• Lee Terry's Idea Of Health Care Reform Is No Reform At All

  On Tuesday, endangered 2nd District Republican Congressman Lee Terry finally introduced his long-promised plan for health care reform - HR 3937, the Simple Universal Healthcare Act of 2009.  Terry's been talking about this legislation for more than three months, misleading voters that entire time about where it stands and what [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:23pm EDT
  

• Senator Jeremy Nordquist Wants Your Voice Heard In State Budget Crisis

  Omaha State Senator Jeremy Nordquist has emerged as one of Nebraska's strongest progressive voices after his first year in the Unicameral.  Because of his prior experience as a legislative staffer, Nordquist started well ahead of the curve among his fellow freshman lawmakers despite his being the youngest senator in [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 9:00am EDT
  

• Nebraska Needs Ben Nelson As A Full Partner In Health Care Reform

  With the Senate Finance Committee advancing its own health care reform package last week, the intense media spotlight that has followed this debate for so many months is now focused - as best it can be - on the mostly behind-the-scenes negotiations over the legislation's direction as it starts making' [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 1:15am EDT
  

• Mike Johanns Fights Against Nebraska Taxpayers & Federal Roads Funding

  Just 18 months after the Nebraska Legislature voted to raise the gas tax by 1.2 cents per gallon, the state is still facing a serious crisis in its roads funding.  Last month, director of the Nebraska Department of Roads, Monty Fredrickson, told the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee that,' [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 7:14pm EDT
  

• NFP Annual Peace Conference - Saturday, Oct. 24 in Grand Island

  Since adopting a community format more than two years ago, New Nebraska Network has never achieved its potential in building a stronger and more unified voice for progressives in Nebraska politics.

  Maybe this reflects a simple lack of outreach and effort.  Maybe this just reflects the inherent limitations in terms [...]

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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
  

• Republican Bluster Can't Hide Fear Of Tom White's Fundraising Numbers

  On October 1st, at the close of the third quarter fundraising period in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District race, the Omaha World-Herald reported:
  Democrat Tom White hopes to become Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Terry's first million-dollar challenger.  For his part, Terry hopes to duplicate his fundraising efforts of 2008, when [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:33am EDT
  

• Mike Johanns Can't Defend Vote Against Anti-Rape Amendment

  Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns took a deep dive into the cesspool of partisan politics again. It wasn't bad enough that he ran around with his hair on fire about an imaginary nationwide conspiracy by ACORN; now he has joined a pack of Republican supporters of the military industrial complex' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 11:30pm EDT
  

• Why Are Newspapers Exaggerating Nebraska's Educational Gains?

  A lot of small town newspapers essentially exist to publicize events and promote their communities.  That which would paint the town or its leaders in a bad light is usually self-censored or given a positive spin if it's even reported at all.

  While such an approach has its benefits in encouraging [...]

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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 1:55am EDT
  

• Plenty To Fear At Adrian Smith's Paranoid Panhandle Tea Party

  On Saturday, September 26th, two-term Republican Congressman Adrian Smith was the featured speaker for the WyoBraska Tea Party at the Five Rocks Amphitheater in Scottsbluff.

  Although many have been quick to dismiss events such as this as manufactured dissent being promoted by powerful corporate interests to protect their hold [...]

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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 10:24pm EDT
  

• Republican Trial Lawyers Need Lee Terry In Congress To Help Kill Tort Reform

  America is worse for the constant attacks on our civil justice system by Republican politicians.  Although access is too limited and there are too many hurdles along the way, the courts are the one place where we as individuals can make a stand and assert our rights against all the [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 4:06pm EDT
  

• Did you know you can be fired in Nebraska because of who you are?

  On Tuesday, October 13, just after National Coming Out Day, call your Nebraska state senator and ask them to come out in support of employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  Nebraska is one of 29 states in which there are no legal protections against employment discrimination [...]

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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 11:18am EDT
  

• 2010: It's Not Too Late To Lead!

  Outside of the 2nd Congressional district race, there hasn't been a whole lot written on NNN about our state's electoral landscape for 2010.  The primary reasons for this glaring oversight are (a) the all-consuming debate over health care reform, (b) the apparent decision by Nebraska's most established Democratic office holders' [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 3:49am EDT
  

• Lee Terry Tagged as One of Five Most Endangered Republicans

  The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) has announced that Lee Terry  is one of the top five most endangered Republican incumbents this election cycle.  Roll Call (subscription required) reports that the NRCC has committed to raising $100,000 a piece for Terry and four other incumbents who are most at [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 6:09pm EDT
  

• "Jeffersonian Democrat" Ben Nelson Looking To States To Lead The Way

  After months of criticism over his longtime ties to the insurance industry standing in the way of health care reform, Sen. Ben Nelson has offered a new reason for his resistance to the public insurance option supported by President Barack Obama and most of the Democratic majority in Congress.  Justifying [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
  

• Lee Terry Unveils Another Laughable Plan For Health Care Reform

  Remember Lee Terry's Simple and Affordable Plan For Health Care Reform?  The six term Republican Congressman was going to solve America's health care crisis by simply "letting the uninsured opt into the federal employees plan with no restrictions for pre-existing conditions."

  Terry's Democratic opponent, State Senator Tom White, rightfully called' [...]

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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 1:56am EDT
  

• Nebraska Democrats Standing Up For Real Health Care Reform

  On September 15th, the following resolution was adopted by the Central Committee of the Lancaster County Democratic Party:
  Public Option Resolution
  WHEREAS, the heath care system of the United States is in crisis, with almost fifty million Americans lacking any health insurance, tens of millions more lacking adequate coverage, and [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 2:04am EDT
  

• What Does It Mean For Us If They "Make Ben Nelson Filibuster"?

  On Tuesday, two front-page bloggers at DailyKos  (1, 2) promoted a very simple strategy for Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate to pass health care reform legislation with a public option:
  All it takes is a little spine, and twisting of Ben Nelson's arm. Make him filibuster.
  This' [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 10:06am EDT
  

• The High Cost of Doing Nothing on Health Care

  With no alternative forthcoming from Lee Terry or the Republican leadership in Washington, it is worth remembering the high cost of doing nothing on health care.  

  A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (the nation's largest philanthropic organization dedicated to health) has established specific numbers that identify' [...]

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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 1:15pm EDT
  

• Adrian Smith Proposes Goverment Takeover Of Health Care . . . For Animals

  On Saturday, Third District Republican Congressman Adrian Smith was the featured speaker at an anti-tax "Tea Party" in Scottsbluff.  As reported by the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, Smith spoke against current health care reform legislation and warned that "the more the government gets involved with health care, the more expensive it" [...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 4:14am EDT
  

• No More Appeals - Dave Heineman's BSDC Neglect Costs Nebraskans $50 Million

  Gov. Dave Heineman certainly isn't alone in deserving blame for the pattern of neglect and abuse at the Beatrice State Development Center.  After being considered a leader in mental health treatment in the 1990s, the institution suffered a steady decline throughout former Gov. Mike Johanns' time in office.  For years, [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 10:02pm EDT
  

• Still No Health Care Bill from Terry, GOP

  Back in June, leading Republican Roy Blunt (MO) promised to provide an alternative health care reform bill, saying:
  "I guarantee you we will provide you with a bill that costs less and provides better care for the American people."
  But there's been no comprehensive alternative introduced in the 100 [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
  

• HYPOCRITES: Lee Terry & Jeff Fortenberry Supported Discrimination Against Nebraska Families

  Earlier today, The Hill highlighted a statement by Rep. Lee Terry accusing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of "arrogance" for pushing an extension of unemployment benefits limited to those states with the highest rates of unemployment.  Specifically, Terry wrote through his Twitter feed:
  Arrogance of the speaker [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2009, 12:44am EDT
  

• RePublican Enemy #1: Mark Fahleson Embarrasses GOP Gunning For Tom White

  I owe readers an apology.  After following Mark Fahleson ever since he became State Chair of the Nebraska Republican Party earlier this year, I have such low expectations of the man that I've practically given up distinguishing one childish antic from the next as he sets new standards for tastelessness' [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 4:51am EDT
  

• OMAHA: It's Time To Let Mayor Jim Suttle Lead

  Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle has been in office only a little bit longer than three months.  Yet, he has faced a never-ending barrage of criticism
  since even before he was sworn-in on Monday, June 8th.  Some of this criticism of Suttle has been legitimate.  His initially dismissive response towards unproven [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 1:13am EDT
  

• I'm in

  I just returned from the Omaha Press Club, where I announced that I'm running for Congress.

  People I've talked to across the district – from Bennington to Bellevue, from North Omaha to Papillion – have told me they no longer feel they have someone fighting for them in Congress. They feel [...]

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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 3:13pm EDT
  

• Lee Terry Debunks One 'Death Panel' Myth By Embracing Another

  We saw some evidence of Congressman Lee Terry's artful feeding of right-wing paranoia about health care reform at his townhall forum on Tuesday, August 25th.  The following Saturday, though, at a Coffee with Lee event, Terry went one step further than his prior rationalization of right-wing hysteria about death [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 1:32am EDT
  

• Lee Terry Wants To End Medicare (So Do Jeff Fortenberry & Adrian Smith)

  Republicans are hard at work drumming up fears that health care reform will hurt seniors and result in cuts to Medicare.  What they fail to mention in their cynical political posturing is that Republicans were proposing killing Medicare just five months ago in their budget alternative.

  At the time, House [...]

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  Posted: September 05, 2009, 7:07pm EDT
  

• Ben Nelson Breaking Commitment By Calling For "Incremental" Approach

  Six months ago, on March 1st of this year, I wrote:
  So far in the new session of Congress with Democratic President Barack Obama in the White House, Sen. Ben Nelson has proven himself an essential voice of common sense, moderation, and restraint - perhaps the last, best hope [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2009, 1:51am EDT
  

• Nelson Stood Strong During Townhalls, Don't Stop Now

  It's clear, the cost of doing nothing will break our family and business budgets.  As Senator Nelson heads back to DC, he can't stop pushing for reform.

  Our Nebraska based group, Change That Works, went to every townhall Senator Nelson held during the August recess.  News reports accounted all' [...]

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  Posted: September 03, 2009, 10:31pm EDT
  

• Where is Terry's Plan?

  Rep. Lee Terry (NE-02) keeps going around Nebraska talking about his plan for health reform...the problem is he has no plan.  Other than some talking points on his website, Rep. Terry has yet to offer a comprehensive plan or comprehensive bill that will lower costs and cover more Nebraskans.  

  In [...]

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  Posted: August 31, 2009, 1:41pm EDT
  

• A Post-Humous Apology & Overdue Promise To Ted Kennedy

  I've taken the passing of Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy pretty hard these last couple of days.  The last brother.  The liberal lion that roars no more.  A torch that has not been extinguished but may never again light the way from hands so worn by the frailities and strengths of' [...]
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  Posted: August 30, 2009, 4:18pm EDT
  

• In Defense Of Jim Esch, Registered Independent

  It's understandable that Nebraska Democrats - especially those in the 2nd Congressional District - would be disappointed in two-time Congressional nominee Jim Esch after his five-word announcement over Facebook that he'd "re-registered today as an independent."  I even empathize with the anger and feelings of betrayal expressed in lp2k's [...]
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  Posted: August 29, 2009, 1:01am EDT
  

• A Message From Senator Bob Kerrey.....

  Earlier today, the still unofficial Tom White for Congress campaign sent out the following request from former Nebraska Governor and two-term U.S. Senator Bob Kerry:
  I know a thing or two about what it takes to be an independent voice in Washington.

  Out there, too many politicians take the path [...]

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  Posted: August 28, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
  

• Video from "Vote Yes" Rally

  On Tuesday night, over 800 Nebraskans gathered in Lincoln to tell our Members of Congress to "Vote Yes" on health reform.
  
  We know this vote is a legacy vote, and it will change generations.

  Thanks to our speakers, including Nick Rathod from the White House and State Senators Amanda [...]

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  Posted: August 28, 2009, 1:16pm EDT
  

• Lee Terry: Truth Teller or Fear Monger?

  You be the judge:
  
  [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 1:59am EDT
  

• New Obama Poll Suggests Fading Opportunity For Nebraska Progressives

  A new poll of Nebraska voters was conducted last week by Research 2000 on behalf of DailyKos.  The driving force behind the poll was obviously to gauge Nebraskans' feelings on health care reform - especially their receptiveness to a public option and their support for Sen. Ben Nelson's position' [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 12:03am EDT
  

• We can't afford national health care?

  What I am hearing, as the mantra of the right, is that our country cannot afford a national health care plan. I believe we cannot afford to NOT have one.

  How is it that our government can find billions to buttress the bonuses of Wall Street billionaires, billions to buy military [...]

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  Posted: August 26, 2009, 3:19pm EDT