If you were the Dem running for Senate in Nebraska, what would you do??

[OmahaBlueDog]

First, read this:

http://watchdog.org/127463/ben-sasse-poll/

The poll indicates Sasse has the edge with anti-establishment-leaning voters:
54 percent of those surveyed said they support Tea Party ideals, and Sasse has a slight lead among them, leading 35 to 31 percent. Osborn has been endorsed by the Tea Party-affiliated FreedomWorks, but leads Sasse 35 to 23 percent among those who say they do not support the Tea Party and those who are unsure.

The survey shows Sasse still has work to do to get on Nebraskans’ radar screens: he still remains unknown to 54 percent of Republican primary voters, with 31 percent viewing him favorably and 15 percent unfavorably; Osborn’s favorability rating was 54 percent, with 18 percent having an unfavorable view.

The only Democrat in the race is Omaha attorney Dave Domina. Independent cattle rancher and restaurant entrepreneur Jim Jenkins of Callaway is also running.

OK, so we have one Democrat who is not particularly well known, and four Republicans running on essentially the same message:

1) I will end ObamaCare
2) I am a pro-life conservative

Now beneath Nebraska's deep red hues are Omaha and Lincoln -- which can sometimes be at least purple. Hell, Omaha Steve is from Nebraska.

So my question for DU: What specific steps would you take to run against that, and where would you go to raise money?

[progressoid]

1. Lie?

Run as a moderate and then govern as a Democrat?

Of course you probably wouldn't win re-election.

[OmahaBlueDog]

3. I think there is something to "run as a moderate"

The GOP is so far right that there's a fair amount of middle ground.

On the other hand, part of me wants Domina to line up ads full of people who've gone broke due to a health issue in their family.

[msongs]

2. run as a full on liberal/progressive populist. well ya might just win. repub lite is DOA nt

[OmahaBlueDog]

4. OK - serious question

So you are a full on liberal/progressive populist in a hunting loving, ag heavy state. Where do you start? How do you wake up the Dems and lure the independents over to your side?

[Armstead]

6. Knowing niothing about Nebraska or the candidates...

I hesitate to say anything about this.

But perhaps highlighting progressive populist economic issues, and downplaying the social issues, might be successful. Run against the excesses of Big Business, particularly on how they affect people in that region. (The deprivations caused by big banks, etc.)

Maybe not as winning formula, but maybe a gamble worth taking if it is that red. A number of "red states" actually passed referendums on raises in the minimum wage even while voting for people like Bush.

Just my free advice that's worth every penny.

[progressoid]

7. Having lived and worked in Omaha as a full on liberal/progressive,

I don't think that would work.

Hell, even Democrats around here are suspicious of anyone that is too liberal.

[kimbutgar]

5. Run populist and question those who want people to suffer with tea party policies

Point out the obvious. When they attack ask why your position is so bad for god fearing, gun loving people who want their fellow citizens to prosper along side them. What's so bad about that? It you got to pay a little more to help your brother so be it.

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. Here's a HuffPo piece on our guy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/21/dave-domina-senate_n_4633588.html

WASHINGTON -- Democrats have secured a candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska, with Dave Domina, one of the state's most prominent trial attorneys, announcing that he's jumping in.

Domina, 62, will be officially kicking off his campaign on Tuesday at the State Capitol in Lincoln. He joins at least four Republicans and one independent who are all already vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), who is retiring. Candidate Larry Marvin is also running on the Democratic side, although the Lincoln Journal Star notes that "he is not likely to have the campaign resources that would allow him to compete."

In an interview with The Huffington Post on why he is entering the race, Domina said he was concerned that the way government is being run is hurting the country's security.

"If we gridlock and close the government, gridlock and can't pass a budget, gridlock and can't pay the bills, the problem is with the country losing respect in the international community, people paying attention to our ability to defend ourselves at home and our people being less safe. There is a direct connection between those consequences and the safety of the American people," he said.

Meanwhile, the other side has:

Shane Osborn -- Navy Pilot who was captured and held by China

http://www.shaneosborn.com/

Bart Mccleay -- an attorney who is probably the most conservative of the bunch

http://www.bartmcleay.com/

Ben Sasse - a former assistant health secretary who bills himself as Nebraska's Obamacare nemisis

http://sign.sassefornebraska.com

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. almost everyone agrees with the economic populist message - except the rich

run on that - EVERYWHERE!!

[TheKentuckian]

10. ding ding

[Armstead]

11. I second that -- ding,ding 2

[frazzled]

12. Sorry, but you'll eventually have to answer other questions

Like, "do you believe in evolution?" "Do you believe in killing babies?"

If running to the left were really so easy, you'd be in Washington right now

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. running on economic populism has NOT been tried in a long time - probably because of

pressure from corporate donors and lobbyist is why very few Democratic candidates do it anymore. Social issues like evolution and abortion carry some weight, for sure - but less when people are presented with reasons to back a candidate instead of watered down gobbly gook that does not offer a vision for a better future

[socialist_n_TN]

13. Yeah, several people have picked my answer, one........

even using the same reasoning I use on Dems in Tennessee. You're probably going to lose anyway just because you're a Democrat. So give it a shot and do something different. Gloss over the social issues as much as you can and hammer the left populist message. Dust off and update some Huey Long speeches.

[newfie11]

15. Having just moved from 8 years in Nebraska

My suggestion is quit while your ahead.
Granted I lived in the far west part of the Panhandle (Scottsbluff Co). Maybe Dems fair better in the eastern, more populated, part of the state.

[Berlum]

16. What do? Team up with the Dem candidate for Governor, and...

...together push a joint platform of a couple of key issues that are relevant both nationally and statewide. They'll have greater strength as open allies.

And be true blue Dems, not Repubbie Lites.

[bemildred]

17. Run on Obamacare and Women's rights, what else? nt

[B Calm]

18. Run as a democrat. If people want a republican, they'll vote republican.

Go on line and raise the money.

[Bandit]

19. Create sound bites that really bring it

"Does Capitalism Demand Government Subsidize Private Industry?" "Use American Resources/Taxes for American people, NOT Corporate Power" "Rebuild America" "Maintain what we already have before spending on more" "INFRASTRUCTURE...JOBS...AMERICA..."
It is esential that the message gets out. Bumperstickers/pamphlets are not all that expensive and can be put in almost every conceivable location.. SATURATION ..These are just sample "sound bites" but I am certain most can come up with far more that say it even better. Every person in Nebraska should see at least three or four of these stickers before the election. I know this is "old fashioned" but still very effective. I would stay away from all the wedge issues and focus completely on the rebuilding of our nation. Find common ground on as much as possible.