Ricketts sees no letup in campaign (US Senate Ne)

Full story: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2192150

Published Tuesday
June 20, 2006

Ricketts sees no letup in campaign

BY JAKE THOMPSON


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Pete Ricketts, who spent nearly $5 million of his own money in winning the GOP Senate primary in Nebraska, suggested Monday that his campaign might spend at least $2.5 million more in his bid to unseat Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.

Ricketts said that between them, he and Nelson might spend $5 million to $6 million on the general election campaign.

Ricketts didn't say how much of his own money he might kick in for the race.

He said he is working to raise campaign contributions from donors and plans to attend a fundraiser Friday in Omaha being hosted by Sen. Chuck Hagel and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, both Republicans.

"We're going out, we're talking to people and convincing them I'm going to be a good senator and they ought to believe in me," Ricketts said.

According to his most recent report to the Federal Election Commission, Ricketts has raised $598,563 from individuals and political action committees. He loaned his campaign about $4.9 million for the May 9 primary in which he bested former Attorney General Don Stenberg and former state GOP chairman David Kramer.

His spokeswoman, Trisha Meuret, said Ricketts is treating that loan as a contribution from his personal wealth and does not expect to seek repayment through campaign donations.

ratings of anyone in the senate. He will be re-elected.

I'm not a fan.

>Who's voting
People in Nebraska

>why is his approval so high?
Have you been to Nebraska?

In general, DUers are more progressive than your average democrat. Something tells me you will never be a fan of any democratic senator from a state that elects Bush calibur republican presidents by large margins. Bush took 66% of the vote in NE, do you think they are going to elect a Feingold?

http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/100USSenatorApproval060523Net.htm

He has a good record of voting with labor. Labor raised over $300,000 for him for the primary. My International (AFSCME) gave the maximum $10,000. Then he voted against them a few weeks later on the death tax. He is running scared over the 135 million loss to the State of Ne the Repukes keep harping about. Nelson kept a nuclear waste dump out of the state as Governor, but the State lost in court. Ne is one of the redist of the red states. Between the two, I'll take Nelson hands down.