I'm not really that into politics.
Yeah, I know. That is one place where my Gen X label really isn't just a stereotype - it's true. For the most part, politics just don't interest me. I'll never be an activist (I am in small little ways - ask me about CBS sometime) and you'll never see my at campaign headquarters mailing flyers in a red, white and blue striped hat. You just won't. And I make no apologies for that. So when something political irritates me, I know I cannot complain because most likely I did nothing to prevent it from happening. I didn't get involved.
Nebraska will always be a red state - in fact, in the last presidential election, we are the only state in America where every county voted republican. (BTW, we are ranked 12 of 50 in highest intelligence.) Hee.
Despite my lack of interest in politics, the latest primary election was interesting to me. Former Husker football coach Tom Osborne ran for the republican nomination for governor against incumbent Dave Heineman - and lost. And if you know anything about the importance of football in this state, you'll know what a major shock it was. It was probably the closest primary election in Nebraska history- with Heineman winning 49% & Osborne 45%. It's been a long time since Osborne lost anything. His concession speech: "I'm just sorry I let you all down."
Heineman never ran for election. When Bush appointed current governor Mike Johanns to the position of Ag Secretary in 2005, lieutenant governor Heineman took over. Osborne served as 3rd District Congressman for the last six years - and all three times he ran, he never took less than 82% of the vote. The idea that a former football coach could successfully serve in politics was crazy to me, but hey, stranger things have happened. However, Osborne is a straight shooter. Once he makes his mind up, it's made up. He's the type to weigh all the facts and then make a decision. He's never struck me as the type to be swayed by lobbyists. Perhaps that's why he wanted to leave Washington. Who’s to know?
Heineman, in his short time as governor, has accomplished some impressive things for the state. Angling for voluntary consolidation for many of our Class 1 schools and scoring a deal with exporting our beef to Cuba - he won middle Nebraska. Which is exactly what he needed to do. Osborne would always taken Lancaster county, because his football sparkle hasn't quite worn off yet in that town. Heineman took nearly everything else, which was enough to gain him the victory.
Who did I vote for? Well, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. :)
Another interesting development is in the U.S. Senate race in November. Amitrade's former Chief Operating Officer, Pete Ricketts, won the republican primary after sinking nearly 5 million of his own money into his campaign. (It showed, too. There was never a time I had the TV on that I didn't see one of his ads and they've been running for a good 6 months.) He faces "Democrat" Ben Nelson - the most conservative Democrat I've ever seen in this state, and also a former governor I met in high school. If this race is as tight as I think it's going to be, I will be on pins and needles, because the outcome could decide who has control of the house. If other Nebraskans know this, this red state will most surely vote for Ricketts despite Nelson's conservative voting record and his faithful service to this state. (I hate to be shallow here - but Ben, you really need a new haircut. ) And the latest TV ads are so much worse than this photo. It literally looks like someone placed a bowl on his head.
Yes, this is my version of politics. I'm more concerned with hair than anything else.
What's I'm listening to: Bethany Dillon's Imagination
Yeah, I know. That is one place where my Gen X label really isn't just a stereotype - it's true. For the most part, politics just don't interest me. I'll never be an activist (I am in small little ways - ask me about CBS sometime) and you'll never see my at campaign headquarters mailing flyers in a red, white and blue striped hat. You just won't. And I make no apologies for that. So when something political irritates me, I know I cannot complain because most likely I did nothing to prevent it from happening. I didn't get involved.
Nebraska will always be a red state - in fact, in the last presidential election, we are the only state in America where every county voted republican. (BTW, we are ranked 12 of 50 in highest intelligence.) Hee.
Despite my lack of interest in politics, the latest primary election was interesting to me. Former Husker football coach Tom Osborne ran for the republican nomination for governor against incumbent Dave Heineman - and lost. And if you know anything about the importance of football in this state, you'll know what a major shock it was. It was probably the closest primary election in Nebraska history- with Heineman winning 49% & Osborne 45%. It's been a long time since Osborne lost anything. His concession speech: "I'm just sorry I let you all down."
Heineman never ran for election. When Bush appointed current governor Mike Johanns to the position of Ag Secretary in 2005, lieutenant governor Heineman took over. Osborne served as 3rd District Congressman for the last six years - and all three times he ran, he never took less than 82% of the vote. The idea that a former football coach could successfully serve in politics was crazy to me, but hey, stranger things have happened. However, Osborne is a straight shooter. Once he makes his mind up, it's made up. He's the type to weigh all the facts and then make a decision. He's never struck me as the type to be swayed by lobbyists. Perhaps that's why he wanted to leave Washington. Who’s to know?
Heineman, in his short time as governor, has accomplished some impressive things for the state. Angling for voluntary consolidation for many of our Class 1 schools and scoring a deal with exporting our beef to Cuba - he won middle Nebraska. Which is exactly what he needed to do. Osborne would always taken Lancaster county, because his football sparkle hasn't quite worn off yet in that town. Heineman took nearly everything else, which was enough to gain him the victory.
Who did I vote for? Well, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. :)
Another interesting development is in the U.S. Senate race in November. Amitrade's former Chief Operating Officer, Pete Ricketts, won the republican primary after sinking nearly 5 million of his own money into his campaign. (It showed, too. There was never a time I had the TV on that I didn't see one of his ads and they've been running for a good 6 months.) He faces "Democrat" Ben Nelson - the most conservative Democrat I've ever seen in this state, and also a former governor I met in high school. If this race is as tight as I think it's going to be, I will be on pins and needles, because the outcome could decide who has control of the house. If other Nebraskans know this, this red state will most surely vote for Ricketts despite Nelson's conservative voting record and his faithful service to this state. (I hate to be shallow here - but Ben, you really need a new haircut. ) And the latest TV ads are so much worse than this photo. It literally looks like someone placed a bowl on his head.
Yes, this is my version of politics. I'm more concerned with hair than anything else.
What's I'm listening to: Bethany Dillon's Imagination
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