So the logical choice for Republicans? A Club for Growth backed businessman, who benefited from over a $100,000 in contributions from the group, which advocates strong anti-ag positions.

Our choice? Scott Kleeb A forth generation Nebraskan, educated at Yale University, who got his doctorate studying the history of cattle ranching, who lives and works on a ranch and who says:

"We need young people coming back to our state. Folks who get their education and come back to the communities that they're from. That's exactly what I'm doing."

Scott Kleeb is a unique candidate who can give Republican opponent Smith a real run for his money. In a district that is considered an easy Republican win, Scott Kleeb is shaking things up.

He was born and raised on an Army base in Vincenza, Italy. He earned a master’s degree at Yale and soon will have his doctorate. During college years he worked during summer vacations as a ranch hand in eastern Colorado and Nebraska. Today he is a part of the McGinn Ranch Co. near Dunning.

So on the one hand we have Scott Kleeb, the intellect with a master’s degree in international relations. And then, on the other hand, there’s Scott Kleeb, who likes bull riding and can take down a cow at branding time.

Kleeb [has] turned heads, prompting some Democrats to look optimistically toward the 3rd District campaign. This year, they may have a contender.

At Monday’s forum Kleeb cleaned up well and he spoke well. At age 30, he is articulate and quotable.

“Agriculture is not only the centerpiece of the economy in the 3rd District, it’s the centerpiece of who we are,” he said to the crowd of mostly farmers and ranchers.

In the 3rd District, Republicans outnumber Democrats almost 2 to 1. If they vote the party line, Kleeb stands little chance of winning. If they vote for the candidate and not the party, it could be interesting.

Nebraska Democrats are fighting hard to take back their state. There are great Democrats running for office in even the 'reddest' parts of the state. They recently re-launched their website: NebraskaDemocrats.org and have put work into developing their own version of the 50 State Strategy - the 93 County Strategy which is working to spread their message, organize and mobilize state-wide.

To listen to the audio, click here.

Good morning. This is Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan.

These days, every morning, Americans are paying more and more simply to go to work, to drop off their kids at school, or to pick up groceries at the store.

While Americans pay out at the gas pumps, Big Oil rakes in record profits. Last year, Exxon Mobil posted $36 billion in profits, the largest for any corporation in United States history. Thursday, the top four oil companies reported a first quarter profit of $20 billion, and oil executives, like former Exxon Mobil CEO Lee Raymond, retire with $400 million retirement packages.

Meanwhile, gas prices keep skyrocketing, and in Washington, Republicans continue to turn a blind eye to the oil industry's activities. From this Republican controlled Congress, we hear more of the same: 'Let's just drill our way to energy independence, sacrifice our environment, and provide big tax breaks to Big Oil.'

Democrats, on the other hand, want to implement bold changes that ease consumers' pain today, and, in the longer term, wean America from its addiction to foreign oil.

With gas now averaging nearly $3 a gallon, it should be clear: giving special tax breaks to the President's oil company friends does not lower gasoline prices. Last summer, in a time of record deficit spending, when Congress enacted the Republican energy bill, energy companies received nearly $10 billion in special tax breaks.

One of my colleagues, Brian Higgins of New York, has proposed rolling back tax cuts for oil companies and putting the money where it's needed the most: helping pay energy bills for low-income Americans, small businesses, farmers, and ranchers.

Just as our farmers and ranchers deserve our support during this energy crunch, they also hold the key to our energy future. Members of the Democratic Rural Working Group, led by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth and Congressman Bobby Etheridge, are drafting legislation to harness ethanol and other alternative fuels.

Today, 70 percent of the cars in Brazil can run on ethanol derived from sugar cane. If Brazil can accomplish that, just imagine what American ingenuity will do with more alternative fuels.

While ethanol is a long-term solution, Democrats want to move aggressively right now to control gas prices. For the past year, my colleagues and I have been asking the President and the Republican leadership in Congress to investigate gas price gouging. Until recently, the party of Big Oil has turned a blind eye to gas price gouging.

Most people are shocked to find that there are no federal laws against gas price gouging, therefore, the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC, has never determined that gas price gouging has occurred. Why is this? Because there is no definition of price gouging. Without a clear definition of price gouging, the FTC can do little more than study the issue.

I have introduced the Federal Response to Energy Emergencies Act, also known as the FREE Act. This legislation will define price gouging and provide the FTC and state Attorneys General with the tools necessary to prosecute 'predatory pricing.' Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, the Republican leadership has not allowed a vote on the FREE Act.

Despite Republican opposition, Democrats are offering real solutions to the pain consumers are feeling. Democrats recognize that $3 a gallon for gas and $73 a barrel for oil is too much.

We realize that in crafting a new energy policy that breaks America's oil addiction, we must be bold. Democrats stand ready to implement bold, aggressive policy changes that will alleviate today's energy crisis and answer tomorrow's challenges.

This is Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan. Thank you for listening.

"President Bush is trying to get his Administration back on track, but unless he changes course with his failed economic policies, we can't get America's economic security back on track," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "The fact is, during his time in Washington, Portman has been a Bush loyalist who has promoted outsourcing and stood by as our trade deficit has ballooned. President Bush's decision to put Portman in charge of the his budgets shows that he is not interested in stopping the record deficits that will saddle our future generations with trillions in debt. Democrats remain committed to fiscally responsible policies that will ultimately help America's working families and make our economy stronger than ever."

Portman Is A Close, Longtime Friend of George Bush; Was Also A Pioneer. The New York Times wrote, "A friend of Mr. Bush for 17 years, Mr. Portman is credited with helping the president win Ohio's 20 electoral votes in a close contest in November. He is on a first-name basis with Karl Rove, now deputy chief of staff for policy at the White House, and Joshua B. Bolten, director of the Office of Management and Budget, who regularly consult him on domestic issues." The Times called Portman, who was a 2004 Pioneer, "one of [Bush's] closest friends in Congress," and "President Bush's man in the House." The Hill wrote that Portman "and Bush met at the 1988 Republican convention in New Orleans, where Portman was a young delegate. He remembers Bush, who is fond of nicknames and now calls him 'Robby Bobby,' as relaxed and friendly, wearing cowboy boots and holding a cigar." [New York Times, 2/16/03, 3/18/05; The Hill, 10/18/05; www.whitehouseforsale.org]

• Portman Did Debate Prep With Bush and Cheney. Portman practiced with Dick Cheney before the vice presidential debates in 2000 and 2004. Cheney said Portman "makes a pretty good Joe Lieberman and John Edwards...He was tougher than either one of them." [The Hill, 10/18/05]
  
  
• Portman Worked at the White House Under George H.W. Bush. Just after graduating from college, Portman worked as an advance man for then-Vice President George H.W. Bush. From 1989 to 1991, during Bush's tenure in the White House, Portman began his tenure there as an associate counsel, then became director of the legislative-affairs office. [New York Times, 2/16/03; Plain Dealer, 3/20/05; South China Morning Post, 12/16/05]
  
  
• Portman Often Says That He Owes His Career To the Bush Family. Talking about George W. Bush, Portman said, "I feel like I really owe my political career to his father." Portman also said, "I have a loyalty and allegiance to making them (the Bush Administration) successful. I have a real commitment to that." [The Hill, 10/18/05; Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/18/05]

Portman is Quintessential Washington Insider. CQ Weekly wrote, "Rob Portman of Cincinnati, the House Republican leadership's designated conduit to President Bush, is one of the few people in the current GOP hierarchy who can be labeled a quintessential Washington insider." [CQ Weekly, 1/25/03]

After His Nomination As Trade Representative, Portman Was Criticized For Inexperience. When Portman was nominated as Trade Representative, one European diplomat said, "Portman is the John Roberts of the trade world. It's a short record, with little to go on." [National Journal, 10/15/05]

Portman Was Criticized For His Advocacy Of Outsourcing Jobs. When Portman was nominated as Trade Representative, Alan Tonelson, a research fellow with the U.S. Business and Industry Council, which represents companies affected by free trade and opposes current free-trade policies, called Portman's nomination a "slap in the face to the U.S. domestic manufacturing base." "Rep. Portman has been a dedicated outsourcer throughout his career in Congress," Tonelson said. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 3/17/05]

Portman "Enthusiastically" Supported Tax Cuts Leading To Record Deficit, Voted To Make Tax Cuts Permanent. In Congress, Portman was known for his "enthusiastic" support of Bush's tax cuts, voting for them in 2001 and 2003, and voted to make the tax cuts permanent in 2002. According to Citizens for Tax Justice, if the Bush tax cuts set to expire in 2008 are extended, as Bush has called for, the impact on the budget will be a $176 billion larger deficit. [CTJ Fact Sheet, http://www.ctj.org/pdf/binge03.pdf; Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), 11/28/04; Vote #45, HR 3, 3/8/2001 Passed 230-198 D 10-197 R 219-0 I 1-1; Vote #103, HR 586, 4/18/2002, Passed 229-198 D 9-196 R 219-1 I 1-1; Vote #182, HR 2, 5/9/03, Passed 222-203 D 4-199 R 218-3 I 0-1]

While Portman Served As US Trade Representative, US Trade Deficit With China Soared To $200 Billion, Leading To Loss Of American Jobs. Portman served as US Trade Representative from May of 2005 to April of 2006. During 2004, America's trade deficit with China was $161 billion. During 2005, the trade deficit with China rose to $202 billion. U.S. manufacturers contend that China's yuan is undervalued by as much as 15 to 40 percent, giving Chinese goods an unfair advantage that has cost America nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs since 2000. Portman was criticized by members of Congress for failing to effectively address China's continued manipulation of its currency and for failing to take new action in the WTO or launching new efforts to enforce trade laws. [Knight Ridder, 4/13/06; US News and World Report, 4/24/06; The Hollywood Reporter, 2/15/06; Census Foreign Trade Statistics, www.census.gov]

Portman Fought To Pass CAFTA, Which Exported Jobs And Depressed Wages. When Portman was became Trade Representative, his first priority was gaining passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The deal was 15 votes away from passage when Portman joined the administration, but Portman lobbied members hard, even in the two months before his confirmation while he was still a member himself. The bill passed in July - on a 217-215 vote. The bill was criticized by technology workers, the American sugar industry, and the labor community as exporting jobs, depressing wages, and failing to protect workers rights. [Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/30/05; National Journal, 10/15/05; South China Morning Post, 12/16/05; Washington Alliance of Technology Workers, 5/05 Fact Sheet; American Sugar Alliance release, 6/23/05; Baton Rouge Advocate, 1/25/04; Los Angeles Times, 4/12/04; Washington Post, 9/20/04]

Portman Called For Steep Cuts To American Farm Subsides. On domestic farm subsidies, Portman wrote, "To jump-start our stalled negotiations, the U.S. is prepared to move, and move aggressively, by supporting a 60 per cent cut in 'amber box' support - the most distorting type of subsidies - during the next five years. This will require significant reforms to U.S. farm programs. WTO members agreed in the framework to establish a new cap in the less trade-distorting support programs under the 'blue box' and further define this type of domestic support. Getting control of 'blue box' payments has been a top priority of many WTO members. Recognizing its importance, the U.S. is prepared to move here too and go beyond the framework. Over the next five years we suggest reducing the agreed cap by half - a step that also requires changes in U.S. farm programs." [Grand Forks Herald, 10/17/05]

Portman Said Passed Medicare Bill Would Lower Drug Costs 15 Percent; Independent Research Shows Drug Bill Increases Costs For 25 Percent Of Medicare Beneficiaries. "Portman also addressed last Tuesday's passage of the Medicare bill that includes a prescription drug benefit for seniors, saying more market-based solutions to health-care problems are needed. 'We have research that shows that this benefit could reduce drug costs by 15 percent,' Portman said." Independent research by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that one in four Part D participants - 7.4 million - are projected to have higher out-of-pocket spending under the new Medicare drug bill than they would have had without the drug benefit in 2006, with an average increase of $492. [Cincinatti Enquirer, 12/2/03; Kaiser Family Foundation, 11/04]

The Bush Administration has dragged its heels and put compensation for black farmers on the back burner. Meanwhile, the number of black farmers continues to dwindle as more and more farmers face foreclosures and bankruptcy. Democrats in Congress are advocating a bill that would force the Bush Administration to allow farmers who are entitled, but received no compensation, to resubmit their claims.

Because of the continuing delay black farmers have decided to make their case in Washington. "Everyday more black farmers are forced to walk away from their farms due to years of unfair and unjust treatment and the government's inability to make good on their promises," said National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd. "The federal government has turned a blind eye to the plight of our nation's black farmers and instead of resolving their claims they have sat by while farm foreclosures on black farmers have increased. This issue continues to be a blemish on our nation's history. USDA can no longer afford to drag its feet on compensating black farmers."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"Farming is the lifeblood of America and small farmers are the foundation of America's agricultural system. While all small and family farmers have struggled enormously because of the Republicans' failed leadership, black farmers have shouldered the added burden of discrimination in lending and other practices. It is time to deliver on the promises made to our nation's black farmers. The Bush Administration is missing a historic opportunity to offer remedies for the ugly history of racism and discrimination in America. Instead of sweeping their claims under the rug, the Bush Administration and the Department of Agriculture should honor the contributions and sacrifices of black farmers by joining with Democrats to assure these farmers receive the redress they were promised and deserve."

The "Rural Report Card" highlights five areas in which President Bush has proposed steep cuts disproportionately weighted toward rural America including law enforcement, health care, education, economic development, and agriculture.

A radio actuality of Senator Lincoln's comments can be downloaded via the link below:

http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/audio/20060209_clip.mp3

Length of Actuality: 40 seconds

Text of Actuality:

"Rural America desperately wants to be a part of making our nation stronger. But in area after area it is sad to see that the President is letting our small towns dwindle and leaving them behind.

"The President has proposed the largest cut to federal education funding in the 26-year history in the Department of Education. And who depends most on education? It is communities in rural America.

"It is working families; it's the children living in rural America who want to make a difference in this nation, who want to be leaders of tomorrow. And much, much more they depend on their public school system and the Department of Education to provide them with that quality education."

For a full copy of the "Rural Report Card" visit the Democratic Policy Committee website at:

http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/dpc-new.cfm?doc_name=fs-109-2-22

He was in Boise to pump up Idaho's Democrats, who haven't seen the recent success of their Montana counterparts. But standing outside the packed banquet room at The Grove Hotel, Schweitzer looked in at the Idaho Democrats and said they seemed a lot like the people who elected him. "I suspect we look and talk a lot different than they do on the East and West coasts," he said...

Schweitzer talks about huntin' and fishin' and campin' — "no g's" he said. His speech was too late for The Statesman's deadline, but he said not to worry — he hadn't written anything out, just like every speech he gives. Montana and Idaho have political differences, but Democrat Jerry Brady hopes to duplicate that state's success in his second run for governor. In the West, people hunt and fish on public lands, and Brady thinks they want to protect those lands, too.

"President Bush's budget cuts have been devastating to family ranchers and farmers across the country. The President can pose for pictures with as many agricultural groups as he wants, but America's farmers know that his policies have made it more difficult for family farmers to stay in business. When President Bush sits down with the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals, he should join the Democratic effort to restore vital funding for those who work the earth for their livelihood each day."

Bush Proposal Slashes Agriculture Funding. The President's budget cuts agriculture funding by nearly 10 percent next year. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Plan Devastating for Agricultural Research. The Bush Administration has proposed to phase out $200 million in funding for agriculture, forestry and animal health research programs over two years, and replace it with about $70 million in competitive grants. This would affect 75 land-grant colleges and universities across the country, resulting in an estimated 2,000 job losses and fewer agriculture research projects. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Proposed Cutting Crop Insurance Program. The proposed budget also cuts $1.3 billion from the federal crop insurance program, which protects farmers against risks caused by natural disasters and price fluctuations. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Proposed Inspection Fees Would Cost Farmers Billions. The budget raises another $1.9 billion through increased user fees for inspections that will further reduce farm income. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Budget Cuts Marketing Loans. The budget includes a net cut of $5.7 billion over 10 years from farm programs through restrictions on marketing loans, a 5 percent reduction in farm program payments, assessments on sugar, and modifications to the dairy program. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Proposals Would Cut Deficiency Payments. The President's budget proposes to limit loan deficiency payments by more than $1 billion, which could drop deficiency payments for as much as 48 percent of corn in Iowa, for example. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Farm groups representing some of the rural voters who helped President George W. Bush capture the presidency are trying to deal a blow to his Social Security initiative.

The American Corn Growers Association, the National Farmers Union and almost two dozen other rural groups will announce today a coalition that is joining with Democratic lawmakers and activists to oppose Bush's Social Security private accounts plan.

"Social Security was one of the better-working programs the federal government ever did," said Keith Bolin, a self-described conservative Republican and head of the 14,000-member corn growers group. Bush's plan "is a way to get more money into the coffers of corporations," he said, adopting a line of attack used by congressional Democrats.

President Bush's proposal to allow taxpayers to invest part of their Social Security taxes would have an amplified, negative effect on farm families who depend on the government program in retirement, Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., said Saturday.

"Farm families have tight budgets, and most don't have access to employer retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans. In fact, three out of four farmers fund their own retirement. They depend on Social Security when the crop yield is low or the weather is bad," Etheridge, a member of the House Agriculture Committee and a part-time farmer, said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address.

Etheridge, who co-chairs the Democratic House Rural Working Group with Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., spoke as public polls show tepid support for Bush's call to allow younger workers to create voluntary personal accounts funded out of their Social Security payroll taxes.

When Gov. Brian Schweitzer dresses for business, he grabs a pair of blue jeans.

The dress-down governor doesn't have much use for three-piece business attire, except when formalities call for it. With a nice shirt, bolo tie, blue jeans, sports jacket and "relatively clean" cowboy boots, he's ready to run a state.
Why the casual wear? "It's the Montana I grew up in," he answered during an interview.

That Montana, he explained, was a state where people judge you by the quality of your character, not the quality of your clothes. He doesn't think it has changed much.

"The richest people in Montana drive pickups that are three years old," he said. "They don't drive BMWs. They don't wear their wealth on their sleeve, or drive it, or live in it."

Schweitzer certainly wasn't born wealthy. His parents were ranchers from the Hi-Line who never graduated from high school because there were no nearby high schools from which to graduate. He is a self-made businessman, a fact he regularly touted in his campaign for office.