Bob Kerrey's retort to Republicans chiding him for returning from New York to run for Nebraska's open Senate seat. The remarks were made during a debate with Republican Deb Fischer who is in way over her head here but unfortunately won't be seen floundering since the debate is on rural issues and is only be shown on Rural TV. And that's because despite being in what is described as the number 1 guaranteed pickup Senate seat for Republicans, she has thus far refused to commit to any debates that would be seen on network channels. And that includes an invitation from Chris Wallace of Fox News to debate on his Sunday morning show. This from the woman who insisted during the primary that she wanted as many debates as possible with her Republican competition.
I had forgotten how quick Kerrey is on his feet but obviously she hasn't. Although he's taken some positions I disagree with, he is literally crushing all her Republican talking points which is all she has. I also find it rather curious that she is advertising herself as a moderate who works with both parties rather than her conservative credentials. Has she forgotten she's running in Nebraska? Or more likely is her polling showing some weakness in the urban areas of Lincoln and Omaha? Nate Silver would like to see more recent polling and so would I:
In Nebraska, former Gov. Bob Kerrey’s effort to return to national politics is looking increasingly quixotic. The day after our last update in May, Rasmussen Reports came out with a poll showing him 18 points behind his opponent, State Senator Deb Fischer. And even a Democratic-leaning group had him trailing by 12 points in one of its polls in June. And yet, ex-governors have a pretty good track record in trying to win Senate seats, whereas Ms. Fisher is a mediocre candidate and her fund-raising has been sluggish. The race clearly favors Ms. Fisher — Mr. Kerrey’s stint as president of The New School in New York may not go over so well in Omaha — but I think we need to see some fresher polling here.
Incidentally, she's moving back Ryan's age of keeping the present Medicare of 55 to 40. 55 must not be polling well. Also just claimed she wouldn't vote for Paul Ryan's budget bill.
I'll be anxious to see whether Karl Rove starts spending some money here now. At present the only outside money here is a group criticizing Deb Fischer for receiving $3,000,000 from the government in cattle grazing fees.