Chuck Hagel’s Primary Challenger
by Patrick Ruffini :: June 11th, 2007 10:54 am
Kos is wondering why no one is talking about Chuck Hagel’s primary challenger.
I’d be happy to oblige.
Chuck Hagel has drawn a serious primary challenger. His name is Jon Bruning, Nebraska’s attorney general. His website is here. If you’re so inclined, you can contribute here.
Bruning is the youngest Attorney General in Nebraska history. He was first elected by a 2-to-1 margin in 2002 and was unopposed for re-election in 2006.
A poll in early May put Bruning’s favorable rating as higher than Hagel or Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, a potential Democratic candidate:
Hagel’s 51 percent compared to 44 percent for Bush,54 percent for Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey — a potential Democratic Senatecandidate — 61 percent for Bruning and 70 percent for [Gov.] Dave Heineman.
Nebraska is one of the most bright red states in the country, and it’s unclear whether Fahey will run. Either way, it’s difficult to see the political wisdom of national Republicans getting involved to save Hagel. This is Nebraska, not Rhode Island, so you don’t need to nominate a particular type of Republican to win. And Bruning, the state’s popular Attorney General, would have a better chance in the fall than Hagel, who has forever alienated the party’s base. Ask Chafee and DeWine whether you can win without the base once Democrats smell blood.
For the NRSC, Chuck Hagel has to be seen as more Bob Smith than Lincoln Chafee. With a good alternative in the race, it’s time for national Republicans to tell Hagel that he’s on his own.
Tagged: chuck hagel 
jon bruning NE SEN
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while we’re at it, let’s get a challenger in South Carolina for Lindsay Graham
Will Hagel’s base remain alienated in 2008? Can any candidate seriously expect to be viable in 2008 without an exit strategy for the Iraq War? I don’t think so. Everyone, including the Republican presidential nominee, will be supporting some withdrawal plan or another a year from now. Hagel’s primary opponent will probably have to spend more time explaining his pro-war position than Hagel will defending his opposition. This assumes, of course, that Bush himself won’t give us a withdrawal plan earlier than that. Chances are 50-50 that before the end of the year Bush will be announcing a withdrawal plan for our combat troops.
I think Mitt Romney has already said that if Bush doesn’t shift his strategy in Iraq soon, that he (Romney) will come up with a plan of his own. This ship is sinking and the rats know it.
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I’ll never, never understand why the national GOP meddles in local races. Competition is a good thing, especially if a standing official has alienated voters. The national party should take a hands off approach until the primaries are over, and THEN throw money and support behind the winners. Its none of Washington DC’s business who party members in Nebraska or Montana or California or anywhere else vote for.