Kerrey leaves the Village to run for former seat: A 2012 Nebraska Odyssey

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Good news for Democrats. I don't think that Kerrey's odds are great (see recent polling) but he certainly seems like their best bet:

Bob Kerrey has decided to visit with Nebraskans next week before reaching a final decision on whether to step into the 2012 Senate race.

...

A number of friends and close political associates said Friday they believe Kerrey is inclined to seek the Senate seat that will be vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson at the end of the year.

[bgwah]

haha. Hasn't he been living in NYC for the past decade? I can't see him winning.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Yeah, it's been a while since he lived in the state, and PPP pegged his favorability at 39-34 a couple of months ago.

[Keystone Phil]

Think living across the country for ten years is a big deal? Rubbish! There are plenty of Nebraskans in NYC - http://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/01/i-have-lots-of-friends-in-nyc-from-nebraska-110739.html


I really hope he runs. I'd love to see this line used in ads over and over and over...

Kerrey - That's English for "loser."

[Sibboleth]

The war criminal, yes?

[Frodo]

God, I hope not. 

[Governor Scott]

Awesome.

[Guderian]

The war criminal, yes?

It's not a crime if they are all dead.

[Bacon King]

The war criminal, yes?

It's not a crime if they are all dead.

But it is when it was men under his command that killed them.

[I'm JewCon in name only.]

He will lose badly. 59-40.

[rbt48]

I don't think he'll run.  But, apparently he is seriously considering the prospect.  I'm sure the state party is desperate for him to run as they don't have any other credible candidate.

If he actually runs, he'll have the advantage of the GOP not knowing who will be his opponent until after the May primary.  But in the general election, the fact that he almost ran for mayor of NYC in 2009 would come back to add credence to carpetbagging arguments.

[NCeriale]

I don't think he'll run.  But, apparently he is seriously considering the prospect.  I'm sure the state party is desperate for him to run as they don't have any other credible candidate.

If he actually runs, he'll have the advantage of the GOP not knowing who will be his opponent until after the May primary.  But in the general election, the fact that he almost ran for mayor of NYC in 2009 would come back to add credence to carpetbagging arguments.

Really??

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

     Pretty irrelevant ultimately; Democrats will lose this seat anyway.

[Paleobrazilian]

He just announced he's not running.

[Is Totally Not Feeblepizza.]

He just announced he's not running.

Aw! The race could have interesting .

[MilesC56]

He just announced he's not running.

Aw! The race could have interesting .

Yeah, but still Lean R even with Kerrey

[Is Totally Not Feeblepizza.]

He just announced he's not running.

Aw! The race could have interesting .

Yeah, but still Lean R even with Kerrey

I didn't necessarily mean that it would be lean D. I meant that it just be, you know, interesting. I would love to see what all kinds of negative crap the Republicans could churn up.

[MilesC56]

He just announced he's not running.

Aw! The race could have interesting .

Yeah, but still Lean R even with Kerrey

I didn't necessarily mean that it would be lean D. I meant that it just be, you know, interesting. I would love to see what all kinds of negative crap the Republicans could churn up.

I agree.

[freepcrusher]

considering he survived 1994 (the worst possible year) with 55 percent of the vote, I think he could have won but I guess he's done with politics.

[Frodo]

Good -that's one less DINO we will have to be saddled with. 

[Is Totally Not Feeblepizza.]

Aw! The race could have interesting .

I didn't necessarily mean that it would be lean D. I meant that it just be, you know, interesting. I would love to see what all kinds of negative crap the Republicans could churn up.

Christ, I seem drunk in these two posts.

[Governor Scott]

Damn.

[rbt48]

Best bet for the Democrats now is probably State Senator Steve Lathrop.  He is term limited in 2014.  He won a west Omaha 55% - R distrcit in 2006.  He is a well known trial lawyer.  He'd lose most surely, but could make the race a little bit (not much, though) interesting.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

So, he's rethinking.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73359.html

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

considering he survived 1994 (the worst possible year) with 55 percent of the vote, I think he could have won but I guess he's done with politics.

1994 wasn't really that bad year for Nebraska Democrats. Along with Kerrey winning second Senate term, Ben Nelson won reelection as Governor with amazing 73.03%. But that was almost 13 years ago. Polarization is lot deeper and appearing as a Democrat on the ballot, especially with Obama leading the slot, is kind of toxic.

Kerrey might have been a popular Governor and Senator back then, but he's been out of Nebraska since 2001. And if ever much more conservative Nelson wouldn't win, he's a non-starter.

I hope he doesn't run for two reasons. First, this seat is lost and Democratic shouldn't waste money there. Second, it would be sad to see him getting crushed.