Another example of Dean's 50 State Strategy: Nebraska

[RedEarth]

Following Governor Dean's election as DNC Chairman, the Nebraska Democratic Party was one of the first to enter into a partnership with the national organization. The 50 State Strategy has been critical in our efforts to rebuild the party from the ground up. A communications director, campaign/field director and two field organizers were hired by the DNC to facilitate party building and campaign activities.

Our staff and organizers have traveled throughout the state holding trainings for party activists and candidates; and meeting with local party leaders to solicit their guidance. We have recruited new leaders and volunteers in communities throughout the state - in many areas where Democrats lacked a presence. The success of their efforts was realized this past summer as county conventions were held. In 2002, 30 county conventions took place. In 2004, in the midst of the excitement of a presidential election cycle, there were 36. This year, there were 69. Our Republican friends had 67 conventions.

Due to these efforts, we have three strong Congressional candidates in Nebraska's three Congressional districts - former Lt. Governor Maxine Moul, Omaha Attorney and former Chamber of Commerce executive Jim Esch, and cattle rancher Scott Kleeb. In addition, the party recruited strong candidates for the state's Unicameral legislature, many of whom are running in areas where Democrats have never been competitive before. These folks will be the farm team if you will - providing us with future candidates for higher office.

In August, State Auditor Kate Witek switched parties and joined us, becoming the first statewide Democratic pick-up of 2006. Three days later, our State Convention nominated her to be our candidate for the office.

We're excited about the prospects for Election Day. We're in the midst of our final push and are always on the lookout for additional resources to help our candidates win. We encourage everyone to visit our website, www.nebraskademocrats.org and make a donation or learn how to get involved in these final days.

There is no doubt - the Nebraska Democratic Party is stronger than ever and our best days are ahead of us. When we look at the DNC's 50 State Strategy, we know that if Nebraska is any indication of what's happening in the rest of the country, then the future of the national party is looking bright.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/27/132554/30

[Heidi]

1. It makes me sad that Ernie Chambers is rarely, if ever, recognized

as the heart of progressive thought in Nebraska. He's a jewel, but so many in Nebraska treat him as a malcontent. :(

[acmavm]

3. Ernie's a pistol. But one thing I truly know about the man is

that if you have a beef with the government or police or whatever, he does not give a damn what color you are, he's there to help.

He's a man of integrity. He says what he means, he means what he says.

[Heidi]

6. Exactly.

Ernie Chambers' mere presence in the state made my 10-plus years of living there a bit more inspired. I love him and I don't understand why he's treated as a crackpot in the unicameral.

[acmavm]

10. Very petty white men with a farmer mentality.

Nebraska was a heavily democratic state until the civil rights/equal amendments came along then these nasty little petty specimens, rather than to see any woman or minority as their equal, flipped to the republican party faster than the blink of an eye.

I am a middle aged woman, born here. These people are so painfully stereotypical it enough to gag you.

Needless to say me and my politics are an annoyance to a lot of these clowns. But what can you say when our 'democratic' senator brags about support g.w. bush** in his campaign commercials.

[central scrutinizer]

5. I love Ernie Chambers!!!

When I was an undergraduate at UNL in 1970, he was a beacon of reason. That was over 35 years ago and the guy is still speaking truth to power. I hope he lives to be 120 and stays in the unicameral until then.

[Heidi]

7. You and me, both. Ernie cuts through the BS

like a knife. Maybe that's why he's not more popular, and I love him even more because he doesn't seem to _care_ about being popular.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Well, truth be told, he is a malcontent,

as are most progressives in Nebraska. there's not a lot for pregressives to be content about.

I've never really understood why the farm states tend republican. It is under repub administrations and repub policies that family farms have been gobbled by the agri industry giants. Republicans have never been a friend to the farmers, but they always pretend they are with a false dichotomy -- farms (repub) versus cities (organized labor), when the truth of it is working americans both urban and on farms versus corporate america. What ever happened to the Prairie Populists?

[Heidi]

9. Sometimes, "malcontent" equals "problem-solver."

I think you're right about Ernie in that respect.

I hear you about agricultural interests in Nebraska. I used to think that the Center for Rural Affairs was the current equivalent of the Prairie Populists, but I'm not even so sure about them anymore.

[acmavm]

2. I'm not sure about anyone elses chances but I do think that

Esch is going to knock off (win more votes, not kill) Lee Terry Jr. (who people now realized is just a fat worthless lump who never did one damn thing in his life except get by on his Daddy's name. (Daddy was a newscaster for decades.)

Lee Terry Jr. is my rep. Well, not actually, he's big business and the republican party's rep, but he just attached his barnacle ass to my district.

[Mabus]

4. Congratulations

Keep up the good work. :woohoo:


We're working just south of you and making inroads in Kansas. Dean's strategy is working. It is building the party by one person at a time. The Democratic Party is the party of the people.