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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 1997)
Democrats still optimistic despite gubernatorial candidacy uncertainty DEMOCRATS from page 1 decide soon, but said he has no timetable. Both Moul and Bohlke played down talk of possible candidacies. Moul, who was lieutenant gover nor from 1991-93, said people within the party have talked to her about run ning. However, she said she has not even reached the stage of weighing the pros and cons of a gubernatorial bid. Bohlke said any thoughts she has had about running for governor have been “not very serious.” Bohlke attributed the lack of an announced Democratic candidate to the large amounts ofmoney raised by Republican candidates thus far. GOP funds have discouraged Bohlke as well. “My banker would say it’s not a good idea,” she said. Democrats banked on Robak When Democratic leaders are asked why their party has yet to announce a candidate, the name that continually surfaces is that of Lt. Gov. Kim Robak. Considered a front-runner to suc ceed Nelson, who is barred from seeking a third four-year term, Robak announced in June that she would not run for governor. She said she wanted to spend more time with her family. “I think everybody assumed Lt. Gov. Robak was going to run for office,” Hoppner said. Although he understood Robak’s decision, Randall said, it was never theless “a huge disappointment.” “She could have been, and may yet be, one of the best governors this state has ever seen,” Randall said. But three months after Robak’s decision, no Democrat has stepped forward to fill the void. The announcements that high-profile Republicans Jan Stoney and U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter would not run for governor haven’t yet enticed any Democrats to enter the race, either. Nebraska Democratic Party offi cials note that history hasn’t always favored early-announcing candidates. At this time in 1981, Bob Kerrey had not yet entered the governor’s race. Kerrey, now a U.S. senator, went on to win the election and serve one term in the governor’s mansion. Likewise, Nelson didn’t announce his candidacy until later in 1989. Bruning said the party wants its candidates to make their decisions based on personal convictions - after a period of what Randall called “soul searching.” “We don’t want candidates to run because they think the Democratic Party needs them to run,” Bruning said. “We want them to run because the people of Nebraska want them to run.” A. Christensen, an accomplish fund raiser in his two successful congres sional races, is likely to raise large sums of money from Omaha conserv atives, Bruning said. But she said moderate voters and corporations from Omaha would be a valuable source of campaign funds for the Democrats. Randall contrasted the campaign strategies of the two parties to this point. While Republicans have been raising money and organizing, poten tial Democratic candidates have been talking to voters and listening to their concerns, he said. “When candidates enter a politi cal race where money is the common denominator, it does scare some peo ple away because you’re no longer looking at the issues,” he said. “Christensen has espoused conserva tive principles, but he hasn’t been talking about state issues.” Referring to Breslow and Johanns, Bruning said, “You’ve got two candidates who have been cam paigning for two years, and no one knows what they stand for.” Bruning and Randall insisted that while the party does not have an announced candidate, recent Democratic Party gatherings in Grand Island and Omaha demon strate it has the enthusiasm needed to win the election. “The excitement (in Grand Island) leads me to believe 1998 is going to be a successful year for the Democrats,” Randall said. 66-— We don t want candidates to run because they think the Democratic Party needs them to run. We want them to run because the people of Nebraska want them to run.” Tricia Bruning executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party A head start for the GOP Republican leaders have scoffed at Democrats for failing to announce a candidate by now. Following Monday’s surprise announcement that 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jon Christensen would seek the Republican nomination for governor, the GOP now has four announced candidates. State Auditor John Breslow, Lincoln Mayor Mike Johanns and for mer Tecumseh Mayor Lavem Bartels have also announced their candidacy. Breslow has raised $1.1 million in cam paign funds, and both he and Johanns have organized campaign networks with offices throughout the state. But Bruning and Randall down played the GOP’s head start. Bruning said Christensen’s deci sion to run reflected the lack of strength in the Republican field. Christensen’s bid for governor amounts to a “power grab,” she said. Bruning accused the Republican candidates of shifting the focus of the campaign from state issues to power and money. At the same time, Bruning said, the Democrats aren’t concerned about the Republicans’ lead in fund raising. A good deal of that money will have to be spent as the GOP can didates battle each other for the nom ination, she said. “(Christensen’s) entry doesn’t put us in any kind of financial difficulty,” Bruning said. “There’s still a lot of Omaha money out there to be had.” Introductory classes are now available to students at the New Media Center. Multimedia presentations with Persuasion Basic Digitizing of images, video, sound Image editing using Photoshop I v. 3.0 Multimedia presentations with PowerPoint Web Graphics to optimize images for WWW Image editing using Photoshop I v. 4.0 Interactive software with Authorware WWW authoring with PageMffl WWW animation with Director/Shockwave Image editing using Photoshop II v. 3.0 image editing using Photoshop II v. 4.0 Virtual Reality Movies with QuickTime VR 3-D Modeling with Strata Studio Pro I 3-D Animation with Strata Studio Pro II Digital video editing using Premiere 2-D animation with Director Gain marketable computer skills! All classes held afternoons in the New Media Center, 163 Mabel Lee. Fees are $10 for students, $30 for faculty/ m staff. Payment is required with advance registration. To register, please visit us, call 472-0600 or send email to nmc@unl.edu. Space is limited. Cancellations with full refunds will be accepted up to 2 working days before class. Substitutions are allowed. Women’s Center and UHC Counseling and Psychological Services ® IP I? © ® 7 ® I? I? © 8 7 © W Q7Q Stress Management & Biofeedback Clinic Call for an appointment, 472-7450 Relaxation Hour Tuesdays, Sept. 9 - Dec 16, 12:10-12:45 p.m. Health Center, Rm. 43 Lesbian Bisexual Questioning Discussion Group Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. NU 338, Call 472-2597 for more info. Sexual Assault Support for Victims Tuesdays., 2-3 p.m. NU338, Call 472-2597 for more info. j Registration not required unless noted. I - Gay Men's Discussion Group Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Call 472-7450 for more info. Overcoming Procrastination Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1 1:30-1:00 NU 338, Call 472-7450 for more info. Students With Children Support Group Wednesdays, Starting Sept. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m., NU 338 Eating Disorders Support Group Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. NU338, Call 472-9428 for more info. NU = Nebraska Union J Counseling and Psychological Services University Health Center 15th & U Streets L — — — — — — — — — — — — CUp-n-Save — — — — — — — — — — — — -. — J Women’s Center holds raffle \ From Staff Reports Need a new set of wheels? The University Women’s Center is spon soring a raffle this Saturday, and the grand prize is a white 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible. The raffle is taking place in front of the University Bookstore from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets are $2 each. Proceeds will go to the Friendship Home. It will use the money to purchase and remodel a home that will be a safehouse for bat tered women and children. ■ I ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ijm * a ¥ \A B ■ ■ ■ Questions? Comments? Ask for the appropriate section editor at (402) 472-2588 or e-mail dn@unlinfo.unl.edu. Editor: Paula Lavigne Managing Editor: Julie Sobczyk Associate News Editor: Rebecca Stone Assistant News Editor: Jeff Randall Assignment Editor: Chad Lorenz Opinion Editor: Jessica Kennedy Sports Editor: MikeKluck A&E Editor: Jim Goodwin Copy Desk Chief: Nancy Zywiec Photo Director: RyanSoderlin Design Director: Joshua Gillin Art Director: Aaron Steckelberg Online Editor: Mary Ann Muggy Asst. Online Editor: Amy Pemberton General Manager: DanShattil Publications Board Melissa Myles, Chairwoman: (402)476-2446 Professional Adviser: Don Walton, (402)473-7301 X Advertising Manager: NickPartsch, * (402)472-2589 Assistant Ad Manager: Daniel Lam Classified Ad Manager: Tiffiny Clifton Fax number: (402) 472-1761 World Wide Web: www.unl.edu/DailyNeb The Daily Nebraskan (USPS144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, Monday through Friday dunging the academic year; weekly during the summer sessions.The public has access to the Publications Board. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by calling (402)472-2588. Subscriptions are $55 for one year. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln NE 68588-0448. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1997 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
