http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=608&u_...8&u_rnd=9078892
QUOTE
Published Sunday October 15, 2006
Kleeb for 3rd District
Candidate demonstrates an impressive strength of mind and temperament.
Two young men are vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. Given the unseasoned nature of both candidates, there is a degree of uncertainty about how either would do in Congress.
One candidate, Scott Kleeb, stands out as the better choice. The reason: his fundamental strength - a strength of intellect, a strength of eloquence, a strength of stability.
When pressed aggressively, Kleeb's opponent, State Sen. Adrian Smith, falls back on sound bites and slogans. When pressed under the same conditions, Kleeb draws on different resources - mental focus, breadth of analytical ability and an unshakeable internal steadiness.
Such strength could serve Kleeb well in Congress. Such strength provides him the potential to be a lawmaker respected for making a constructive difference.
As many 3rd District voters know, Kleeb has an unusual background as a cowboy/scholar - a real-life ranch hand who also earned stellar academic credentials, above all for his study of how the American West and cattle country in particular are connected to the world economy.
A most unusual individual, certainly. But even though he is a Democrat (and no Democrat has represented western Nebraska in Congress since 1961, despite several close general elections), Kleeb has shown himself to be thoroughly familiar and comfortable with the cultures and communities of the district.
* * *
Far from being a wild-eyed liberal awkwardly out of step with his staunchly conservative district, Kleeb has spent this year advancing a practical agenda. His proposals can provide common ground across partisan and ideological lines.
Among his themes: Use effective arguments and outreach so that Washington leaders better recognize the importance of rural America's needs and opportunities. Push harder for rural development. Get even more creative about ag-sector promotion. Understand Nebraska's enduring connections to the global marketplace and aggressively work to turn those connections into profitable opportunities for individuals and communities.
No, Kleeb has not voiced the degree of skepticism and sometimes even outright hostility toward government advanced by Smith. But Kleeb is hardly a Ted Kennedy clone - consider, for example, Kleeb's repeated, sensible expressions of skepticism toward the regulatory excesses of the Endangered Species Act. Kleeb, who describes himself as a devoted Catholic, also generally adheres to conservative positions on social issues that have resonated with many 3rd District voters over the years.
Indeed, Kleeb's actions and statements during this campaign should provide a lesson to the left-leaning activists who hold such sway in his state party. If they would genuinely listen to Kleeb (as opposed to opportunistically hoping that he'll merely gain them a political office), they could learn a thing or two about how a Nebraska Democrat can impressively look to this state's political center rather than clinging feverishly to impractical liberal rhetoric and policy stances.
* * *
It is said, understandably, that how Kleeb would do in Washington is largely an unknown. The same cannot be said of his opponent, Adrian Smith.
Smith has served eight years in the Nebraska Legislature. He has a record in regard to his performance, and he should be judged on it. It is directly relevant to how he likely would perform in Washington.
In the Legislature, Smith is not known as a skilled lawmaker. He is not known for an ability to build constructive coalitions for complicated legislation. He is not known as a skilled public speaker. He has no reputation for making substantive issues the subjects for his priority bills. He is not a lawmaker whom backers seek out to be the prime sponsor of major legislation.
He is not known as a leader.
That reality cannot be wished away, talked away or TV-commercialed away. And it is one of the primary considerations 3rd District voters should weigh as they consider whether Smith has the habits of mind and action necessary to serve with distinction in one of this country's most powerful political posts.
Smith, without question, is a sincere and conscientious advocate for the causes he supports - causes that in several cases receive strong endorsement by this newspaper. But in terms of qualifications, the 3rd District deserves more.
It needs a congressman with a strong ability to persuade. The ability to convince. The ability to lead. The ability to make a significant difference.
Smith is a decent, dedicated Nebraskan. But his record in Lincoln provides little evidence that he has those all-important abilities in the necessary quantity.
It cannot be said for sure whether Kleeb, untried in the political arena, can meet that test for effective leadership in Washington. But what is clear is that he possesses an unusual and impressive combination of characteristics - a sharp mind, eloquence, a practical mindset and an obvious respect for the people and communities he hopes to represent.
Those characteristics combine to produce an unusual strength.
Scott Kleeb deserves election this year. If voters extend him that enormous privilege, from his strength, positive results could arise for the 3rd District. His potential should not be doubted.
Kleeb for 3rd District
Candidate demonstrates an impressive strength of mind and temperament.
Two young men are vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. Given the unseasoned nature of both candidates, there is a degree of uncertainty about how either would do in Congress.
One candidate, Scott Kleeb, stands out as the better choice. The reason: his fundamental strength - a strength of intellect, a strength of eloquence, a strength of stability.
When pressed aggressively, Kleeb's opponent, State Sen. Adrian Smith, falls back on sound bites and slogans. When pressed under the same conditions, Kleeb draws on different resources - mental focus, breadth of analytical ability and an unshakeable internal steadiness.
Such strength could serve Kleeb well in Congress. Such strength provides him the potential to be a lawmaker respected for making a constructive difference.
As many 3rd District voters know, Kleeb has an unusual background as a cowboy/scholar - a real-life ranch hand who also earned stellar academic credentials, above all for his study of how the American West and cattle country in particular are connected to the world economy.
A most unusual individual, certainly. But even though he is a Democrat (and no Democrat has represented western Nebraska in Congress since 1961, despite several close general elections), Kleeb has shown himself to be thoroughly familiar and comfortable with the cultures and communities of the district.
* * *
Far from being a wild-eyed liberal awkwardly out of step with his staunchly conservative district, Kleeb has spent this year advancing a practical agenda. His proposals can provide common ground across partisan and ideological lines.
Among his themes: Use effective arguments and outreach so that Washington leaders better recognize the importance of rural America's needs and opportunities. Push harder for rural development. Get even more creative about ag-sector promotion. Understand Nebraska's enduring connections to the global marketplace and aggressively work to turn those connections into profitable opportunities for individuals and communities.
No, Kleeb has not voiced the degree of skepticism and sometimes even outright hostility toward government advanced by Smith. But Kleeb is hardly a Ted Kennedy clone - consider, for example, Kleeb's repeated, sensible expressions of skepticism toward the regulatory excesses of the Endangered Species Act. Kleeb, who describes himself as a devoted Catholic, also generally adheres to conservative positions on social issues that have resonated with many 3rd District voters over the years.
Indeed, Kleeb's actions and statements during this campaign should provide a lesson to the left-leaning activists who hold such sway in his state party. If they would genuinely listen to Kleeb (as opposed to opportunistically hoping that he'll merely gain them a political office), they could learn a thing or two about how a Nebraska Democrat can impressively look to this state's political center rather than clinging feverishly to impractical liberal rhetoric and policy stances.
* * *
It is said, understandably, that how Kleeb would do in Washington is largely an unknown. The same cannot be said of his opponent, Adrian Smith.
Smith has served eight years in the Nebraska Legislature. He has a record in regard to his performance, and he should be judged on it. It is directly relevant to how he likely would perform in Washington.
In the Legislature, Smith is not known as a skilled lawmaker. He is not known for an ability to build constructive coalitions for complicated legislation. He is not known as a skilled public speaker. He has no reputation for making substantive issues the subjects for his priority bills. He is not a lawmaker whom backers seek out to be the prime sponsor of major legislation.
He is not known as a leader.
That reality cannot be wished away, talked away or TV-commercialed away. And it is one of the primary considerations 3rd District voters should weigh as they consider whether Smith has the habits of mind and action necessary to serve with distinction in one of this country's most powerful political posts.
Smith, without question, is a sincere and conscientious advocate for the causes he supports - causes that in several cases receive strong endorsement by this newspaper. But in terms of qualifications, the 3rd District deserves more.
It needs a congressman with a strong ability to persuade. The ability to convince. The ability to lead. The ability to make a significant difference.
Smith is a decent, dedicated Nebraskan. But his record in Lincoln provides little evidence that he has those all-important abilities in the necessary quantity.
It cannot be said for sure whether Kleeb, untried in the political arena, can meet that test for effective leadership in Washington. But what is clear is that he possesses an unusual and impressive combination of characteristics - a sharp mind, eloquence, a practical mindset and an obvious respect for the people and communities he hopes to represent.
Those characteristics combine to produce an unusual strength.
Scott Kleeb deserves election this year. If voters extend him that enormous privilege, from his strength, positive results could arise for the 3rd District. His potential should not be doubted.