Hot Senate race sees blistering exchanges (Nelson vs Ricketts in Ne)

[Omaha Steve]

Full story (reg req) http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2209279



Published Thursday
July 20, 2006

Hot Senate race sees blistering exchanges

BY ROBYNN TYSVER

WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - It may have been hot outside Wednesday, but the heat was nothing compared to the blistering firefight in the U.S. Senate race in Nebraska.

Republicans accused Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson of using "despicable" tactics in his campaign against Pete Ricketts. They also called upon him to "denounce" an advertisement taken out by the Nebraska Democratic Party that "mocked" Ricketts for contesting his property tax valuation.

Nelson fired back that the GOP was trying to shift the spotlight away from the Republican's property tax dispute, while the Democratic Party challenged Ricketts to identify one "inaccuracy" in the ad.

The firefight erupted when Mark Fahleson, head of the GOP in Lancaster County, called a press conference in Lincoln. Fahleson said he was upset with a print advertisement that used a Dr. Seuss-style rhyme to criticize Ricketts for contesting his home valuation in Douglas County.

Fahleson also accused Nelson of sending "hecklers" last weekend to shout at Ricketts and his family members as they walked in a parade in Fremont.

He said Nelson has shown in past campaigns that he will do whatever it takes, "no matter how despicable or dishonorable," to win.

Marcia Cady, a spokeswoman for Nelson, denied that Nelson sent hecklers to Fremont. "The Nelson campaign had nothing to do with that," Cady said.

[gratuitous]

1. Wow, who knew Republicans were such WATBs?

Gee, a heckler or two, a snide comment about a GOP candidate's private affairs, and they come unglued. Poor little whiny ass titty babies. Republicans, try to complete this well-known phrase: "Turnabout is f _ _ _ p _ _ _."

[GreenTea]

2. "Hecklers" Karl Rove tactic, bug your own office blame the Democrat

It's very effective republican tactic, Dem's haven't caught on to.

The dirty filthy republicans sure know how to go for the throat and attack...Too bad the Dem's don't get right in there and fight, instead of backing off and losing!

[GreenTea]

3. It's ALWAYS the one who accuses others of being "despicable" that are

truly the despicable one who'll "do anything to win" as we have seen and are now seeing with these slimy republican liars!!!

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. The GOP doesn't like Nelson?

Huh! What is it for them to dislike other than the (D) next to his name. :shrug:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

5. Yes. I don't know Nebraska politics, and at first I thought perhaps

they were talking about a primary with the dems running an actual dem against Nelson.

[eagler]

7. An actual Dem could not win in Nebraska today.

nt

[tinfoilinfor2005]

8. Yes, we have always heard that.

So you are saying that there are no intelligent human beings in Nebraska? I hope you are wrong but I bow to your wisdom. Is there anything that we can do to change their minds? Surely they can't all believe that terra terra terra is their destiny and their future lies with king george occupying the people in Iraq?

[maxrandb]

6. Nobody does fake righteous indignation like a Republican

and I mean N - O - B - O - D - Y!!!!!!!!!

Geesh! For the party of (ahem) "rugged individualism", they sure are a bunch of whining crybabies.