Johanns, Kleeb both stake claim for change

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10351406

Published Friday June 6, 2008
Johanns, Kleeb both stake claim for change
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — In the first debate of their U.S. Senate campaign, Republican Mike Johanns and Democrat Scott Kleeb verbally wrestled for the right to be called the "change" candidate.

Kleeb said he was that candidate because, unlike Johanns, he has never held public office.

"You cannot continue to send the same people back to Washington and get results," Kleeb said several times in Thursday's debate.

Johanns countered that he has spent less time in Washington than Sen. Barack Obama, who has used the change message to become the presumed Democratic nominee for president. Johanns said he has the experience to make real change.

The two men are vying to succeed retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Republican who decided not to seek a third term.

The 90-minute debate was expected to be the first of several between the candidates.

The debate, which was closed to the public, was sponsored by the American Legion's Cornhusker Boys State. Attendance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was limited to about 380 boys, staff members and reporters.

FULL story at link.