Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Diane Wetzel

North Platte Telegraph

Fresh off his decisive victory in Tuesday’s primary election, U.S. Senatorial candidate Mike Johanns wasn’t spending any time resting on his victory laurels. The former governor and Secretary of Agriculture was in North Platte Wednesday morning with Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman on a campaign swing throughout the state.

“I have traveled all across this state in this campaign, and I have heard the people state clearly that they want someone in Washington to end the hopeless, endless bickering,” Johanns said. “I intend to do that.”

Nebraska voters have a clear choice on several issues, Johanns said, when it comes to deciding who will go to Washington — Johanns or Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb.

“This will not be a race about personalities,” Johanns said. “There will be serious debate and discussion on issues, and clear positions on the issues.

“For example, my opponent calls climate change the ‘moral crisis of our time,” Johanns said. “I believe it should be approached in a scientific, thoughtful way.”

Consumers are being painted into a corner with high gas prices, Johanns said.

“Nebraskans see the results of our failed energy policies every day when they go to the pumps,” Johanns said. “Our energy policy has had three components… no, no, and no.”

There has been no new exploration or drilling, no increased investment in renewable fuels, and no increase in use of nuclear energy, Johanns said.

Johanns said he does not support a gas tax holiday, as some have suggested, in an effort to provide relief from high gas prices.

“I didn’t support it as governor, and I don’t now,” he said. “Gas prices bounce up and down, there could be a tax holiday and no one would notice. And I believe that infrastructure in our state where there are long distances to travel is too important.”

Johanns is “proven, tested and trusted,” Heineman said. “I look forward to us working as a team, with one in Washington and one in Nebraska to move the state forward, to lower taxes, to control spending. And no one knows agriculture inside and out the way he does. I am proud to offer my support.”