Earlier today, Tony Raimondo switched his party registration from Republican to Democrat.
Let me be one of the first to welcome Tony Raimondo to the Nebraska Democratic Party. He joins a growing list of former Republicans who have decided that the Democratic Party is a better fit for them than the GOP.
My friends, ours is the party of Zorinsky and Kerrey. In 1975, Ed Zorinsky, then Mayor of Omaha, announced that he was switching his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. He saw in our party the potential to better represent all Nebraskans regardless of political ideology and party membership. He went on to be a tremendous U.S. Senator, representing Nebraska with great dignity and enthusiasm.
Ours is the party of Senator Jim Webb of Virginia. Webb, the Vietnam War Veteran, former Secretary of the Navy and former Reagan Democrat. This week on NBC's "Meet the Press," Webb noted the following about his decision to run for Senate as a Democrat, "One of the things that I was very strong about when I decided to run was that it was time for the Reagan Democrats to come home, the people who, on issues of economic fairness and social justice moved away from the Democratic Party and who have a reason to come back."
Ours is the party of Scott Kleeb, who brings a new, common-sense brand of politics to Nebraska. His brave fight last year against tired Republican policies portends a bright future for Nebraskans of all political stripes.
Nebraskans yearn for genuine leadership from their elected representatives. The Nebraska Republican Party has failed the people of this state repeatedly. Instead of presenting us with fresh, independent leaders, they ask us to vote for the same rubber-stamping party loyalists each cycle. Rather than lead the way on issues such as property tax relief, health care, a balanced budget and improving education - Republicans focus on politicizing government and taking away from those who cannot fight back.
The modern Republican Party is a party of extremes. Moderates like Tony Raimondo and Jim Webb find that there no longer is a place for them at the table. Theirs is a small tent party, with a short table. Today we celebrate our diversity as a party - not only along racial, religious, geographic and economic lines - but along ideological lines as well. Our tent is large and our table long.
Historically our Nebraska Democratic Party has welcomed people from varying ends of the political spectrum. Our success has been the result of providing candidates who do not work from the extreme right or left, but who are independent enough to represent each and every Nebraskan. Today, we must be charged with continuing that tradition of independent leadership.
We must continue to welcome anyone who is willing to see that we are the party of inclusiveness. Our doors cannot be closed to the possibilities that these Nebraskans bring to us. Like Zorinsky, Kerrey, and Raimondo - those who switch parties do so to be a part of the conversation and to make our state a better place. In order for our party to thrive, not only should we not discourage Republicans from joining us, we must actively encourage them to do so.
Sincerely,
Steve Achelpohl
State Chair
Nebraska Democratic Party