(Neb)-Over $900K Spent To Put Reinstating Death Penalty On The Ballot

[frogmarch]

http://chadrad.com/newsstory.cfm?story=38321

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The group leading the effort to reinstate Nebraska's death penalty spent more than $900,000 to place the issue on next year's general election ballot. Nebraskans for the Death Penalty disclosed its donations and expenses for the latest 3-month reporting period on Monday.

The largest contributions were $100,000 each from New York hedge fund manager Robert Mercer and from the Washington-based Judicial Crisis Network. Gov. Pete Ricketts has given $200,000 and his father, TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, $100,000 but with no contributions in the latest reporting period.

Nebraskans for the Death Penalty began a success petition drive for a referendum vote after lawmakers abolished capital punishment in April. Last month, it turned in nearly 167,000 signatures and Secretary of State John Gale verified there were enough valid signatures to both make the ballot and put repeal on hold until after the election.

The group reported having only $10,350 in cash-on-hand, but spokesman Chris Peterson says it will continue raising money for the election campaign and to fight a lawsuit challenging the petition drive.

The first comment: ( )

I don't care about Ricketts. We need to get even more radical. Convict them and the spend $0.25 to take them out behind the courthouse and shoot them. Maybe then the rest would get the idea that if they get convicted they don't get to spend the next 20 years living off the state before they are executed.

The only other comment:

If that doesn't convince people that Ricketts is looking to buy a higher office, I don't know what will. Republicans love the death penalty, even if they have to break the law to do it and spend a million dollars to convince voters they need it.

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I am glad there are at least a few Democrats living here to dilute the Tea.

[Gothmog]

1. That is a waste of money