Candidates come out for spring banquet

Wednesday evening brought a unique opportunity for Dodge County Democrats.

Not only were the two front runners for the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo in attendance for the Dodge County Spring Democrats Banquet at the Scribner Steakhouse, but also, Fremonter Larry Marvin and the candidate for the United States House of Representative for the 1st District, Max Yashirin.

The emcee for the evening was the District 15 Democrat candidate for the Unicameral and Fremont native Richard Register.

The event allowed each candidate equal time to speak their beliefs, followed by a question and answer session where all national candidates could elaborate on their platforms.

Register opened the evening’s event with thoughts on the upcoming political elections.

“It is a different type of election year we have this year,” Register said, “Democrats are being offered the gauntlet of leadership and we need to take it.”

Later, Register offered, “We are the Democratic party. We are not going to tell you how to live your family values. We are going to live family values. We are not going to teach you how to hate. We are going to teach you how to cooperate.”

Scott Kleeb

Kleeb began with the reasons he became involved regarding politics as a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District in 2003-04.

“There was something happening in our politics. There was something happening in our country not being talked about. And, like a lot of people in this room, I became frustrated,” Kleeb said in reference to the economy, the environment and health care.

“15 million people came together (Super Tuesday) to say ‘Have you had enough?’ ‘Damn right, I’ve had enough,” Kleeb said regarding the extensive Democratic party participation in the February caucuses.

In addition, Kleeb stated, “I’m reminded of a story back in 2006, that happened up in Hemmingford, Nebraska ... This guy comes up to me and says, ‘I’ve never voted for a Democrat before. Of course, I’ve never met one before.’”

Kleeb continued “’You know, when I hear you talk about health care ... and education, and investing in your kids’ education from birth through college, I’m for that, too.’” the man added that he, too, is for universal health care and energy management, just as Kleeb.

“Historic numbers of Nebraskans are for those issues,” Kleeb said, “The reason that you all are here tonight is because you are part of this effort to take back this government.”

“We want politics to be about service, not self,” Kleeb said, “Mike Johanns has been about self. His entire election, his entire service has been about self.”

“This election, more than anything else, is about each of us engaging in politics and we did that in the Third District. And, we have to continue to do that across the state,” Kleeb concluded, asking attendees show their support in voting for him.

Tony Raimondo

Raimondo, a former Republican, shared his reasons for running for office.

“Who has the right experience, and the values to make that change in Washington, D.C.?” Raimondo began.

“My position is, the biggest threat that we have to our quality of life for our children and for our grandchildren is not developing nations, it is our politicians ... and it relates to the gridlock and our politicians in Washington, D.C.,” he continued.

Raimondo also spoke of his belief in small business and the individual.

“Eighty percent of Nebraska’s companies are small- and medium-sized companies ... We have got to keep our working families healthy, we have go to make our companies globally competitive, and that is what I have been doing my entire life,” Raimondo said.

Raimondo added that part of the success that he has had through Behlen Industries has come through investing in his employees and giving them interest in the company through incentives such as profit sharing.

“Nine out of the last 11 Senate races have gone to Democrats,” Raimondo continued, “As we moved Behlen from a failed company, I am really pleased to say that we pursued the leading edge of teamwork, we pursued in addition to continuous teamwork, and we have great health care programs.”

Raimondo also noted that since 2002, the corporate health care cost has more than tripled putting a squeeze on the average American.

“The only way to change that, is to get the right capabilities into our leaders in Washington,” Raimondo concluded.

Raimondo also touched on his three-point plan for extricating the United States Military from Iraq.

According to Raimondo, first we need to honor our troops and support the Iraqis.

Secondly, we have to reasonably keep our word with Iraq and establish a fair timetable for withdrawal.

Finally, according to Raimondo, we need a feasible ‘exit strategy,” which includes rebuilding the trust of our allies.

Larry Marvin

For more information go to www.fremonttribune.com for an in-depth look at Larry Marvin.

“I am the only candidate to fully endorse the party platform,” Marvin said.

“I hear a lot of people talk about abortion. I have a zero tolerance for genocide, and I support that we have a tax on genocide on corporations and individuals that invest their money in it,” Marvin added later in his introduction.

Question and Answer:

Audience members asked questions of each of the candidates. The following is a sampling.

1. How do you address the problem of illegal immigration?

Kleeb: Wishes for a fair and open process for those wanting to become citizens, as well as repercussions for those here illegally, possibly in the form of fines, adding, “We do want you here, but we also want you to respect our laws.”

Marvin: “To me, most of the irritations, at our coffee klatches sometimes in beer joints, it is Republican propaganda. These Republicans haven’t done anything to protect our women, they haven’t done anything to protect 9-11. And, now they want us to build walls, and, I want to tear down walls.”

Marvin added that he attributed many of the current border issues to Homeland Security.

Raimondo: “We do need to secure that border,” he said, “America is not ready to talk about any type of requirements of change until we secure our borders.” Raimondo concluded that it is important for the United States to enforce laws on the books and gain control of the illegal immigrant situation before substantial change can occur.

2. If you were a Democratic Super Delegate, who would you vote for?

Kleeb: Having worked with both candidates, he considers each to be remarkable for different reasons and, “that the one strength they both have is that they are not (President) Bush.”

Marvin: “I’m a John Edwards man,” Marvin said, adding that he will support Hillary Clinton.

Raimondo: Leaning toward Barack Obama. Raimondo believes he is best suited to reach across the aisle for compromise.

3. What is the solution to our energy needs? Is it ethanol?

Kleeb: Believes in developing an energy strategy that can encompass a variety of different “alternative” fuels to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Raimondo: Believes that we will soon be headed beyond ethanol toward other local alternatives such as switchgrass, and that they will be new alternatives further down the line.

4. What do you think about congressional earmarks?

Kleeb: Believes the budget system is broken. Kleeb also makes the distinction between the Democratic moniker “Tax and Spend,” and refers to current Republican administration as “Borrow and Spend.”

Marvin: Considers earmarks not dissimilar to corporate kick-backs.

Raimondo: Believes progress is being made on earmarks, particularly when the priority process begins with local officials.