Esch, Carter stake claims to Terry seat

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10300610

Published Thursday | April 3, 2008

BY TIM ELFRINK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A little more than a month before battling in their party's May 13 primary, the two Democrats hoping to take on Rep. Lee Terry in the 2nd Congressional District sharpened their campaign pitches at separate events on Wednesday evening.

Jim Esch, who lost to Terry by 10 percentage points in 2006, told more than 150 supporters at a campaign kickoff rally that voters in the Omaha-based district are eager for change and ready to defeat Terry this time around.

"We deserve better, and the country deserves better," he said. "This is not only about the power that our seat has in Congress, it also represents the power our community has to change things for the better."

Esch's challenger, Richard Carter, a political newcomer and Iraq war veteran, said his military experience lends him the credibility to help lead the United States out of Iraq.

"As a veteran of the war in Iraq, I have a unique perspective, and I know what's gone well and what's not gone well," Carter said at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

"This war has made us less prepared for other threats around the world, saddled us with debt and hijacked our energy policy."

FULL story at link.

[TheFarseer]

1. Thanks for keeping this forum alive

I can't decide who I want to take a crack at Terry. I liked Jim Esch, but he already lost once to Terry. I don't know enough about the other guy.

[Omaha Steve]

2. I'm voting Carter

I expect Esch to win the primary.

[acmavm]

3. Why are you voting Carter? Maybe ESCH can do it this time.

Maybe if we get behind the guy he can take out that renegade from a rubber room Terry.

[Omaha Steve]

4. I mad Esch waited till the last minute to file

Esch will win hands down and go on to face Terry in round two. I'll help Esch AFTER the May primary.

[TheFarseer]

5. I'd have to agree that Esch will win

Alot of people have heard of him, where as I would never have heard of Carter if not for this forum. I think they are both good but not perfect candidates. Carter might be a better matchup against Terry, but once again, name recognition might help Esch in the general. I think it will be a good race either way. . . . . . .Still not sure who I will vote for.

[Omaha Steve]

6. They are both anti abortion

It would be nice IF one of them was for choice.

[joeglow3]

7. We have to realize what state we live in.

Sorry, but we will never have a true-blue liberal from Nebraska. The best we can do is get a Ben Nelson or Jim Esch: someone who has a few progressive views. Too many progressive views and they will never get elected here.

Instead, our job is to elect any Democrat that we can, making sure we keep control of Congress and control the agenda. Not exactly what we want, but us doing our job with the tools we have to improve the country as a whole.

[TheFarseer]

8. they'd get trounced if they were pro-choice

I'm glad they are both pro-life because if they weren't that would be THE ONLY issue in the campaign no matter what they tried to make the election about and who the hell wants to talk about that for 5 months plus besides that freak show in front of Planned Parenthood on Dodge every Saturday morning.