Daub leaving post with national elderly care group - Omaha World-Herald
Hal Daub is leaving the American Health Care Association to pursue… a future in politics?
Daub, a Republican, represented the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives before his tenure as mayor of Omaha. He declined to say whether he might consider another run at elective politics.
“I’m going to leave those questions for another day,” he said.
That means he’s running for something (or at least he’s giving it a lot of thought). Maybe he wants to run for Mayor of Omaha in four years.
I’m thinking possibly governor as well. Think we’re the laughing stock of the nation now…
My crystal ball suggests Daub is eying Hagel’s senate seat in 2008. The financial fallout from Daub’s mayoral tenure make a return to city government unlikely.
Like Hagel, Daub’s political career has been characterized by opportunism (remember Daub’s sudden overwhelming desire to leave D.C. and return to Omaha - just in time to enter the special election to replace the resigning P.J. Morgan). An opportunist like Daub would not risk a gubernatorial campaign in this cycle - Osborne.
Instead, I’m convinced that Daub has sized up the Republican field for the Hagel vacancy and sees his next opportunity. As of now, the most obvious candidtates are Lee Terry; Dan Welch; Jon Bruning; Adrian Smith and, perhaps, a recently defeated Dave Heinemann. Having taken the measure of each, Daub probably lkikes his chances.
Wake up, people!
Good point. I was merely thinking of timing. It’s also important to note that Daub was fired from his current position - of course, that won’t make any difference to republicans who will refuse to think for themselves and goose step.
Regardless of what you may think of him personally or politically, Former Mayor Hal Daub has shown the ability to play the game of politics like it is a game of chess, mastering the basic strategies of the game while at the same time combining the pieces in bold and unpredictable ways. My bet is like any good chess player, he will make the most opportune move at the most opportune time. Hopefully, we will have another Bobby Fischer(Mayor Mike Fahey) to meet his challenge when it arrives.
Diane, you and I have met many times over the last several years, but I doubt that you remember “NE Voter”’s identity (although I did reveal myself to you at a parish festival). I only recently stumbled onto this site, and after a thorough review of the archives, look forward to more discussion with you. I miss your column in The Reader!
Thank you. I appreciate that.
NE voter wrote “Instead, I’m convinced that Daub has sized up the Republican field for the Hagel vacancy and sees his next opportunity. As of now, the most obvious candidtates are Lee Terry; Dan Welch; Jon Bruning; Adrian Smith and, perhaps, a recently defeated Dave Heinemann. Having taken the measure of each, Daub probably likes his chances.”
I agree with that. Daub did do a lot of good for Omaha and had a pretty progressive view for the city. If the choices were between those candidates, I definitely know who i would vote for.
Mike, I understand the logic behind the Lee Terry, Jon Bruning and Dave Heineman for Senate positions you take. Dan Welch and Adrian Smith are quality public servents in the eyes of many Republicans, however, that is one hell of a leap from Omaha City Council and the Nebraska Unicameral. Welch running for Terry’s seat one day, now that I can see. Smith running for 3rd C.D. this time, now that I can see. I just don’t see the logic in your argument of Welch or Smith making the jump to United States Senate from their current positions. Former Mayor Daub’s experience, work ethic, and record of public service would stack up well against the primary field that you mention Mike.
Damn Lee - you seem to have more respect for Hal Daub than anyone else I know. Even Republicans think the guy is too slick and conniving, yet here you are hailing him as a master strategist and public servant??? Huh?? If Hal Daub were half the politician he fancies himself (a “Republican Bob Kerrey”), he should have been in the Senate long ago. Instead, he’s the former mayor of a city that generally seems glad to be rid of him. And, though you’re probably right about his intentions, I just can’t see how he (or you, for that matter) could honestly expect him to connect with rural voters. My money is on Lee Terry to step up if Hagel departs. Daub is over (though he’s welcome to try and retake his old House seat….I think we could beat him).
Daub was a master at self promotion. No one heralded Daub like Daub did. My favorite Daub story was when a North Omaha pool had opened and Daub called the press to meet him there for a photo op. The pool filter had failed the night before causing it to be refilled that morning. Despite the cold water and inevitable blue lips, Daub insisted that officials open the pool for the fifteen minutes required to get those few precious minutes on film for the six o’clock news. Ya gotta love him….he’s a sitcom character.
I don’t know about that Kyle. From what I have seen of both Daub and Terry in person, Hal Daub is better at connecting with people than Lee Terry. While his personality or rather the legend of his personality may rub certain people the wrong way, Hal Daub does have one major advantage over Lee Terry. Hal Daub seems to understand specific policy issues that confront the United States Senate and has shown an ability to create legislation that benefits Nebraskans rather than just following the Party line.