On Tuesday Don Stenberg was in Alliance addressing the local Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs at a Mexican restaurant. After Stenberg laid out his plans to deal with illegal immigration (which is Romney's "self-deportation" plan), someone in the room cracked a joke about how they wouldn't have their waiters if there was a crackdown on employers. Stenberg found it hilarious. It'd hardly be possible for him to wear a wider grin. And thanks to American Bridge 21st Century, the rest of Nebraska can have a look at the treasurer's distasteful sense of humor.

Neal's first cartoon of the new year!

I've left the Bold office for a couple days to follow the Iowa caucus on the ground. Yesterday, was packed with candidates flooding in on the eve of the caucus. Here's what we know so far: it's a three-way dead heat with many who are still unsure. Traveling with a former Bold intern, we made our way into Des Moines and instantly headed into the Marriott Hotel where Ron Paul was holding a rally.

Mr. Paul ended up providing the most substance of all the candidates we encountered today. The room was packed, but it is likely that there were just as many reporters and crew as there were supporters. The demographic was very broad with a strong showing from those 25 year old and under. These youths, however, seemed very skewed towards high school students instead of recent college graduates. Their main agenda was drug legalization, and they didn't seem to care about too much else.

Today Sen. Ben Nelson announced his retirement from the Senate. Nelson's departure is being celebrated by the Republican party who think Nelson's seat is now a lock.

We'd challenge the entire GOP field not to get too cocky. If we've proven anything this year, it's that Nebraskans have a strong populist streak that the existing political parties simply don't get.

The NEGOP only has one wish for Christmas this year. The question is did they make Santa's naughty or nice list this year?:

So far, Neal hasn't been impressed with the candidates coming from the Big O:

Update, 5:45pm, August 16: Jon Bruning personally dropped off some sleeping bags today at the Bold office. Actions matter. We also added a new drop-off location in Omaha where you can drop-off a sleeping bag. And, we created an Amazon wish-list so you can just buy one from your computer and ship it to our office. We will be collecting sleeping bags until the end of September.

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The NE GOP, astroturf Americans for Prosperity (funded by the infamous Koch brothers), and national far-right talking heads have been hyping up the demise of Nelson’s career. They claim his vote for health care reform will be his downfall.

This quarter’s new fundraising numbers tell a different story. It’s clear that Sen. Ben Nelson is winning the fundraising race by a landslide. The only GOP candidate who’s close to Nelson is “Wrong Way” Jon Bruning.

Deb Fischer thinks she’s the gal who can best defend Nebraska values in Washington, DC.  She’s not a career politician.  She’ll protect landowners. She won’t raise taxes.  She’s going to find all the terrorists!  Seriously, these are her campaign promises.  They’re so dubious, all we can say is that there’s something fishy about Deb Fischer.

Let’s take her proclamations apart one by one.  First of all, you can’t claim that you’re not a career politician when you’ve served 21 years in elected office as a school board member and as a state senator.  When everyone around the state capitol knows you’re one of the governor’s favorites, you’re a career politician.

It's the first week of the 102nd Nebraska State Legislature, and Neal imagines "Wrong Way" Jon Bruning's already getting in trouble: