In last debate, Ricketts attacks (Ben) Nelson (Ne) tie to Columbus firm

[Omaha Steve]

Full story reg req: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2262191

Published Monday
October 16, 2006

In last debate, Ricketts attacks Nelson tie to Columbus firm

BY ROBYNN TYSVER

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - If voters thought the Nebraska Senate race between Pete Ricketts and Ben Nelson was at a fever pitch already, they might think again.

With three weeks left before the election, Ricketts gave notice Sunday at the candidates' final debate in Scottsbluff that he planned to step up his criticism of Nelson and that he planned to make Nelson's character a key issue.

Ricketts repeatedly accused Nelson of being "untrustworthy" and "irresponsible" before a crowd of about 150 at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Extension and Research Center.

He also threw a new accusation into the ring: Ricketts alleged that Nelson looked the other way when a company that the Democrat has strong ties too, Behlen Manufacturing Co. of Columbus, struggled with a groundwater pollution problem.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

1. Considering that Mr Ricketts is representing a party and an Administration

That oversaw a botched invasion of Iraq based on flimsy lies that has now spun out of control, that totally mismanaged the situation with North Korea ensuring that it has now become a nuclear power, that had a House Majority Leader facing corruption charges, that has a Speaker of the House of Representatives that covered up Mark Foley's inappropriate behavior, that callously botched the response to Hurricane Katrina and the list goes on....

He's not in any position to lecture Democrats about being irresponsible or untrustworthy -or about ethics violations for that matter

[justice1]

2. I disagree with Nelson on several issues but Ricketts is worse.

I gave Ricketts a fair chance, but after listening to a debate, reading his website, as well as checking nonpartisan sites it was obvious he was only out for himself.

A quote from Ricketts on the death tax. "It is just wrong and is based on jealousy of high achievement. The death tax divides us; it does not bring us together."
Source: Ben Thompson, North Platte Telegraph Feb 7, 2006

Jealousy of high achievement? He relied on nepotism, it was his father that was the successful businessman.

This is a man that headed up Ameritrade, and could have campaigned against shoddy accounting practices by the business sector, that has left millions of Americans devastated. Instead he wants Americans to set up health savings accounts, and privatize social security, which he would benefit from. He saves his tough talk for the poor people, by going after medicaid fraud.

Considering about 75% of women say that they sought an abortion because of finances, you would think a pro-life candidate like Pete would be campaigning to provide women and children opportunities to rise above poverty. The only thing he was for was to raise the minimum wage, but of course that wasn't without strings, the bill included another tax break for Pete. He is just another pro-fetus anti-women and children Republican candidate.

[acmavm]

3. Once in a while a person comes along that you can tell, just by looking

at them, that they are shall we say less than trustworthy, or maybe even out and out dishonest.

Dubya is one, Cheney is another. Pete Ricketts is of the same mold. He is what he is. And it shows.

That may seem to be a flimsy reason to damn someone, but there are other reasons, such as his fake personna of telling the voters he's just your everyday Nebraskan. His common man approach. Or there's the shifty way he made big money when the company his Daddy founded was laying off workers and losing money. Or the fact that he consistently cries and whines about 'dirty' campaign ads, but his are the worst. Or any number of things that should tell the average Nebraskan that this is a man of absolutely no character whatsoever.

But it is also something that is apparent just by watching him debate. Knowing his background and watching his phoney ads. It is so apparent is just smacks anyone who's paying attention right across the face.