Republican to run as a Dem for US Senate

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10249888

Published Monday | February 4, 2008
Columbus businessman Raimondo announces plans to run for Senate
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Columbus businessman Tony Raimondo today announced that he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel.

Raimondo, who switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party in December, said he was filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to begin his campaign.

"I pledge to be a public servant—not a professional politician. I will bring my real world business experience to Washington and fight against the career politicians who unwittingly stifle innovation, economic opportunity and development," Raimondo said.

Raimondo is chairman of Behlen Manufacturing Co. in Columbus. He's the first Democrat to enter the Senate race.

Former Gov. Mike Johanns, who resigned as President Bush's agriculture secretary last fall, is seeking the GOP nomination, along with Schuyler financial planner Pat Flynn, a political novice.

[derby378]

1. Is this guy a stealth candidate for the GOP, or is he for real?

:shrug:

[Robbien]

6. He is of the Bush Dog variety

He is pro-business all the way. His mentor in the Senate is Ben Nelson who is part of the coalition who votes with GOPers and against the Democratic party 90% of the time.

Hopefully Scott Kleeb will join the race, otherwise Bush Dog Raimondo will be unopposed in the Democratic primary.

[Selatius]

2. If Democrats don't want him, vote for somebody else in the primary contest.

Otherwise, you get what you vote for, a pro-business politician who may be soft on regulating the same business elements he emerged from.

[Zodiak]

3. So is the DLC involved in this one

Schumer involved?

If so, this can only be a bad thing for progressives. The senate already has 22 Democratic senators who are DLC. Guess why we can't get anything done in the senate?

[robinlynne]

4. you said it.

[RedStateShame]

5. Didn't Joe Lieberman do this already?

[napi21]

7. I have what you might consider a silly question.

In THIS situation and several other fairly red states, I always hear about how their Senators & Reps are Dino's and we should get rid of them. Is it POSSIBLE that only very moderate Dems could ever get elected in those states? I know for sure that the southern states I've lived in would NEVER elect a person like Ted Kennedy or Dick Durbin to ANY OFFICE!