Ricketts says donations don't contradict stands (R candidate Senate Ne)

[Omaha Steve]

Full story (reg req) http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2209303



Published Thursday
July 20, 2006

Ricketts says donations don't contradict stands

BY JAKE THOMPSON


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - In a debate this spring, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ricketts rapped a pet project of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, one critics had dubbed the "Bridge to Nowhere."


Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ricketts

"Let's think about the things we're spending money on that don't make any sense - (a) $220 million bridge in Alaska that goes to an island with 50 people on it," Ricketts said in April.

In June, Ricketts accepted a $5,000 campaign donation from Stevens.

And Tuesday night, Ricketts held a fundraiser in Washington where Stevens was listed on the event's invitation as a "special featured guest" - although the Alaskan didn't attend.

Ricketts said he didn't see a contradiction in criticizing Stevens, then taking money from him.

"He and I agree on one thing that is really important, that Republicans retain control of the United States Senate," Ricketts said.

Nor did he see a contradiction in seeking donations from special interest groups at the fundraiser, although he has chided his opponent, Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, for gathering campaign cash from special interests.

The proposed Alaska bridge gained notoriety during congressional debate last fall over congressional "earmarks."

Often called pork barrel spending, earmarks occur when individual lawmakers insert, often without debate and sometimes without knowledge of colleagues, budget items that steer money to specific projects in their home states.

Stevens, the Senate's most senior Republican and a former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has championed his ability to obtain earmarks for his state. He fiercely defended the bridge as a worthy earmark, but after public outcry he gave up and the project lost its funding.

During his primary campaign, Ricketts called the bridge an example of congressional earmarking he'd work to eliminate or reform.

[the observationist]

1. I didn't know he needed donations.

He's been spending so much of his own money to buy this election I didn't realize he even wanted people to donate. This guy is such a hypocrite. I sincerely hope that he loses by a landslide. His tv commercials are pathetic and he's just another right wing soldier. If he is elected the only thing we can expect from him is to tow the party line. Aw this guy makes me sick.

On a side note have you seen the ads in the Omaha World Herald lambasting him for property taxes? They were amusing and if people don't wake up to the fact that this is one of those guys that will use his power for personal gain then I don't think Nebraska has a very good future, politically.

[rasputin1952]

2. I'm here in Norfolk NE, and this guy is a real tool..he's running as a

"Reagan Republican", and he is so full of it, I'm surprised he has any following at all.He is another Rubber Stamp R and a really poor one at that. HE has no ideas of his own, and believes that Sen. Ben Nelson(D) is the reincarnation of Lenin.

By last count he is trailing by about 15 points and losing a point a day. Each time he brings up taxes, the Dem Party of NE brings up the fact that he paid $1.16 million for his house, but Ricketts says that it is only worth $600,000. (The assessors and Ricketts agreed to a $900,000 figure). Point is, if he paid $1.16 for the house/property, and it is worth $600,000/$900,000, hes a pretty poor businessman, and most people think he isn't too bright financially...:D

Ricketts is an AmeriTrade beneficiary, his father made millions and passed it on to Ricketts. Another ultra-rich R that never worked for his wealth...Yeah...a Reagan Republican :grr:

[acmavm]

3. Has anybody seen any polls citing how much support this assclown

has here?

Nebraska is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for candidates for office. This guy pretending to be 'just one of y'all' is such a load.

[rasputin1952]

4. Last thing I saw, he was trailing Nelson by about 16 points...

but as you know, NE has a penchant for R's...Fortenberry from teh 1st district is an incredible dud as a Congressman, but people see that "R" and just vote on that...x(

I believe Nelson will be re-elected, Ricketts is falling fast, and he is being seen as a jerk.