Witek leaves GOP (Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts)

[Omaha Steve]

Full article: http://journalstar.com/articles/2006/08/18/top_story/doc44e4ec82f05ef356242183.txt



Look what she had to say about REPUBLICANS! I hope this starts actions like this around the country.

Top Story:

Witek leaves GOP
BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska Democrats now have a Statehouse officeholder.

State Auditor Kate Witek, a lifelong Republican who was GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Osborne’s lieutenant governor running mate just three months ago, switched parties this week.

“I got to the point where it seemed the Republican Party was only looking at controlling all the offices instead of looking at resolving all the problems challenging this state,” Witek said Thursday.

The Democratic Party seemed more open to issues that concern her, Witek said, including “getting spending under control” and requiring more accountability in state government.


The State Democratic Convention starts tonight. This is huge and will be talked about all weekend. I'm a first time elected delagate on the labor caucus.

[Demeter]

1. A Democrat Is Born....Dare We Hope for a Feminist?

If you are going to get religion (whatever) and face Reality, why not go all the way? Come over to the Light, and join us!

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

5. Why look a gift horse in the mouth...

...? :eyes:

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

2. Great news...

... more power to my neighbors to the south! Wish they would wake up in this way in South Dakota.

[Ian David]

3. Are we trading her for LIEberman? n/t

[Mabus]

4. We've had some high level defections from the GOP here in Kansas

Our current Lt. Gov. candidate, on the ticket with our Dem Gov. Sebelius, Mark Parkinson used to be chairman of the Kansas GOP. In fact, Mr Parkinson was asked to leave the GOP after he publicly endorsed our Dem AG candidate, Paul Morrison, who also used to be a Rethug. The reasons they give is that they feel the GOP has been taken over by wingnuts and they don't want to be a part of it anymore and they want to concentrate on issues and problem solving rather than blindly following an agenda they can't relate to.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Good for her

I hope there will be many more.

[rodeodance]

7. “I’m not sure that is a party issue anyway,” Witek said.

Asked if she can be comfortable as a pro-life advocate in a party whose national platform is pro-choice, Witek pointed to Nelson, who is seeking re-election to the Senate this November.

Nelson also is pro-life, she said, and doesn’t agree with his national party on that issue.

“I’m not sure that is a party issue anyway,” Witek said. “It’s a personal issue.”

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or [e-mail].

[Omaha Steve]

8. UPDATE Questions surround Witek's new race for auditor as a Democrat

Published Saturday
August 19, 2006

Questions surround Witek's new race for auditor

BY ROBYNN TYSVER


WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - State Auditor Kate Witek got a mixed reception Saturday from her new party, with some Democrats worrying that they were being used by the former Republican to keep her job.


Kate Witek



In the end, however, Democrats at the party's state convention voted 171-106 to nominate Witek as their candidate for auditor in the fall election.

The question now is whether Witek can legally run against Republican Mike Foley.

Republicans and Democrats say that they expect a legal fight and that the final vote on Witek's maiden campaign as a Democrat may be cast by the courts.

The debate about Witek and a fiery speech from U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., topped the second day of the Democrats' three-day convention.

About 313 delegates and alternates rallied in Grand Island in support of Nelson, who is seeking re-election, and other candidates.

Besides Nelson, several candidates spoke to the group, including David Hahn, the party's governor candidate; Maxine Moul, the 1st District congressional candidate; and Jim Esch, the party's 2nd District candidate.

All said they believed they had a chance at victory Nov. 7.

Witek told the crowd that she learned to appreciate working with Democrats and independents as Tom Osborne's running mate in his failed quest for governor.

"While the defeat of Tom Osborne was deeply disappointing, it was truly remarkable to be a part of a campaign that brought Republicans, Democrats and independents together. . . . It felt right to me," Witek said.

In the spring, she decided against seeking a third term as auditor and accepted Osborne's offer to run as his lieutenant governor. Osborne lost in the GOP primary.

Witek switched parties Wednesday, saying she believed that Republicans were fixated on winning and not solving the state's problems.

Several Democrats said they believe the true motive behind Witek's party switch was her desire to keep her job.

They objected to her being so readily accepted as the Democratic nominee. For about 45 minutes, they tried to stop Witek's nomination.

The first voice vote on Witek's nomination was not conclusive, leading to a recorded vote.

"This is an action of a party without principle and a candidate, or officeholder, who will do anything to retain that office," said Joe Higgins of Omaha.

Chris Funk, head of Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs, said Witek represents the "right wing of the Republican Party." Witek is an abortion opponent.

"This is just about getting a 'D' behind someone's name. . . . Shame on us we couldn't get a real Democrat to run," said Funk.

Others said the Democratic Party was a "big tent" that should welcome Witek into the fold.

"She joined us, we didn't join her," said Vince Powers of Lincoln.

"She has personal integrity. . . . She is not going to sell out," said State Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha.

Republicans say Witek's nomination is legally questionable. They say that as an incumbent officeholder, she was required to file for re-election in February.

Democrats say state law gives them the right to place any person's name on the ballot before Sept. 1.

Witek, 51, has won two terms as auditor as a Republican.

Mark Quandahl, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, said the GOP will mount a legal challenge if Witek's name is placed on the ballot.

Quandahl also disputed Witek's claim that Republicans care only about winning, saying U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., has taken controversial stands on the Iraq war and on other issues that were not politically popular.

"Her actions in switching parties would appear to be somewhat opportunistic," he said.

Democrats will present Witek's nomination to Secretary of State John Gale on Monday.

Gale said he will research the law and consult with his staff to determine whether to place her name on the ballot.

Barry Rubin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said he is confident the nomination will withstand a legal challenge.

Nelson took the stage about an hour after the Witek debate and welcomed her into the party.

He went on to rally the troops in his re-election fight against Republican Pete Ricketts, a former executive at Ameritrade.

Nelson touted his tax-cut record in Congress, his support of ethanol and his work with local governments to battle methamphetamine and to build roads.

He portrayed himself as an "independent voice" who puts Nebraskans first when he casts a vote.

To the delight of the partisan crowd, Nelson referred to Ricketts several times as a "partisan lapdog" who has no experience in public life.

He said Republicans who come to the state have only one message to deliver: Vote for Ricketts because he's a Republican.

"The thrust of his campaign is not about himself but about his political party. How embarrassing it must be when the likes of John Thune or Mitch McConnell campaign on his behalf. They do not talk about his ideas, or his experience or judgment. Instead they talk about his party label," said Nelson.

Jessica Moenning, Ricketts' campaign manager, dismissed the "lapdog" remark as "a cute thing Democrats in Nebraska" say about Republicans.

She said no one calls Hagel a lapdog even though he supports President Bush 95 percent of the time.

Moenning said Ricketts was proud of the support he has received from national Republicans.

"It sounds like Ben Nelson is experiencing sour grapes over the fact that he can't have any of his national Democratic colleagues some in and campaign for him," Moenning said.

[Renew Deal]

9. They're dropping like flies

We've been picking up these low level seats like crazy.