The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Adrian Smith is not on the host list for Hagel’s big fundraiser in Omaha. Fellow Republicans Lee Terry and Jeff Fortenberry, both rumored as potential Senate candidates should Hagel retire (though we’ve already ruled Terry out as a potential Senate candidate), are listed as hosts. Smith and State Treasurer Shane Osborn (who defeated the corrupt Loralee Byrd’s successor, Ron Ross, in the Republican primary) are the only state or federal Republican officeholders who are not sponsors of the fundraiser.
Bruning specifically cited Smith as a strong supporter of Bush’s Iraq policy in making his announcement last month. Smith has previously stated that Hagel “doesn’t want success” in Iraq. And given that Smith served with Bruning in the state legislature for four years, it would certainly not be out of the question that he would support a Bruning Senate bid. There’s certainly plenty of reason, given Smith’s absolutely wrongheaded stance on Iraq, that he would not support a Hagel reelection bid. So his absence from the host list is quite intriguing.
We’ll see what else happens in the next several weeks. Stay tuned.
I say we actually throw Yo Adrian in the hat for Hagel’s Senate seat….just for a good laugh.
If I recall correctly, Shane Osborn shared the 2006 campaign office with Bruning & Tom Osborne. Which if correct would shed light on who he is supporting.
Shane Osborn never shared a campaign office with Tom Osborne or Jon Bruning. Further, neither Hagel or Bruning have announced; they have only said they were considering running. Until someone has the brass knockers to get into the race, it is a little early to be giving endorsements.
I think that’s a little unfair. Hagel’s not “considering” a run for Senate. Hagel’s “considering” a run for President, he has been for a while, and the Senate is his fallback plan. Since he’s raising money for a reelection bid, I think we can safely assume that he’s running until the moment he says he’s not.
As for Bruning? He’s announced. He’s running. He can hide behind the “considering” language all he wants, but it’s clear right now that he’s running.
And, frankly, since both of these guys have filed papers with the FEC, it’s not “too early” for anything. In the eyes of the law, they’re running for U.S. Senate.
Knightn - Jon Bruning had a campaign office? During the primary? That man sure does know how to run an unopposed campaign…
2006 campaign office, during the primary and general sans Osborne at that point of course.
Publius-when I stopped by the office (13th and Lincoln Mall) last spring the Tom Osborne and Jon Bruning crew were also distributing Shane Osborn bummper stickers, etc. So while it may be correct that Shane never actually had an official office, he was being supported by Osborne and Bruning’s staff/campaign offices during the 2006 primary. fwiw.
is osborne was handing out osborn bumper stickers.. that could have just been a clever (or at least obvious) way to make it look like he had more support.
if I were on the ballot, and their was another Democrat named Owen who was also running and who I liked at all… you better believe I’d be handing out his stickers too.