Don Walton in the Journal-Star today:
It’s all relative now.
Nebraska still ranks as one of President Bush’s most supportive states.
Up there on a familiar list: Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, several Deep South states.
But even in Nebraska, where Bush swept to two landslide victories while narrowly winning nationally in 2000 and 2004, the president’s approval rating dipped below the 50 percent mark a few months ago.
It was down to 46 percent in a SurveyUSA poll of 600 Nebraskans in November. There hasn’t been a public measurement — or much good news for the president — since.
Nebraska’s disapproval for the President dates back at least to June 2006. Lee Terry damn near lost an election due to his blind support of the President’s policies. On the other hand, Ben Nelson won in a landslide in part because he was so conservative. And I’m not so sure that Ben Nelson doesn’t represent exactly where the state of Nebraska is right now as a whole.
Sixty-eight percent of Nebraska Republicans expressed their continued approval of the president’s job performance in the December survey. That was higher than the 59 percent favorable rating for Sen. Chuck Hagel or the 62 percent for Attorney General Jon Bruning.
This isn’t actually any higher than the normal numbers for Republicans across the country. There’s a certain myth that Republicans in one area of the country are more “moderate” than those in more Republican states, but for the most part it’s not true. Just as all of us are true-blue progressive Democrats. What’s the difference between a Massachusetts Republican and a Nebraska Republican? A Nebraska Republican can get elected, even if he’s completely unqualified (see: Adrian Smith). There isn’t much difference between Republican voters across the country – it’s just that there are more of them here.
And it’s part of the reason we work so hard. Because as soon as people in this state start voting for Democrats, we can get some real progressive individuals elected. It’s easier inside the city limits. We have a Democratic mayor. Jim Esch won inside Omaha. But in Sarpy County, in Western Douglas County, this district still needs a lot of work.
Statewide in 2004, only two counties gave a majority to a Democratic candidate for federal office: Burt (for Matt Connealy), and Thurston (for Connealy and Kerry). We improved vastly in 2006. Scott Kleeb gained a lot of ground in deep red areas. In a district that went 75-25 for Bush in 2004, Kleeb lost 55-45.
If there’s nothing else to take from 2006, it’s that it is possible to win here. And though it sometimes seems like we live in two different states, there are many things that bind Omaha and western Nebraska together.
If we are to make any progress for Nebraska, it starts today. It starts by helping elect Chris Beutler mayor of Lincoln. Getting involved with Young Democrats. Getting involved with your local Democratic Party. Registering voters. Being a proud Democrat. Showing up on Monday nights at 8 P.M.
It’s not easy to be a Democrat in Nebraska, but that just means we work harder.
Great Post Dave,
As with any “red” state it can seem lonely at times to be a Democrat here in Nebraska but I feel that we are making progress and the winds they are a changing.
Our party Caucus system is going strong bringing in New and Diverse blood to the party. (by caucus I mean Black, Latinoi women Etc)
Nebraska has been selected to host a YDA National Meeting! (you should post something and link it)
We are moving full steam ahead on making sure our Presidential Caucus is a success. Please contact your County or the State party and volunteer to be a precinct captain.
One day we’ll be able to tell our grandchildren how we made Nebraska a “blue” state. We just have to keep woprking at it.
Nothing that is worth having in life comes without a price and making our state more progressive is no different.
No worries. You’re not the only person feeling Blue in a Red State.
I’m an old Republican who knows why Nebraska still votes for Republicans hands down. Republicans began as the only people who would represent farmers and agriculture in Federal government. And so that loyalty still holds fast. Democrats are a threat to the rural areas (or so the Republicans would have us believe). I think it will change, just not soon.
But hang in there. I just went Independent last month to shake those Conservative morons in my party. Good luck.
Hi,
Most obviouly your quite wrong.