Mitt Romney, in a move that puts the energy needs of Americans first, vowed to approve the Keystone XL pipeline the first day he is in office if he is elected President.

This announcement is in sharp contrast to Barack Obama's using the issue for transparently political purposes as he panders to his environmentalist base.

Read the NewsMax story.

It is apparent that we have an exceptional Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska. Deb Fischer who won convincingly in this week's primary election, proved that a 93 county strategy with grass-roots enthusiasm is a great combination. And, Nebraskans agree.

A new Rasmussen poll shows that likely Nebraskan voters prefer Deb Fischer over Bob Kerrey (D-NY) by a wide margin – 56% to 38%.

In addition, Fischer is viewed favorably by 69% of those surveyed, while Kerrey is viewed unfavorably by 52%.

We cannot take anything for granted, but November is shaping up to be a very favorable election in Nebraska.

Read the Daily Caller report.

"You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence."

- Abraham Lincoln

Deb Fischer will embark on a statewide "Thank You" tour to greet voters as the Republican nominee for US Senate and talk about how she plans to put Nebraska first in Washington.

She will be in Omaha on Thursday, May 17th.  Come meet Deb at 4:00PM – Marriott Regency, 10220 Regency Circle.

Fischer will face Bob Kerrey in the November election. As a lifelong Nebraskan and citizen legislator, she opposes Cap and Trade, opposes government-run healthcare and helped pass the largest tax relief passage in Nebraska history. Meanwhile, Bob Kerrey, who has spent the last decade in New York, supports tax increases, embraces a job-killing cap and trade program and defends Obama's healthcare plan.

Deb Fischer 'Thank You' Tour

State Republican officials gathered this morning at a “unity” press conference to rally around Sen. Deb Fischer, the winner of Tuesday's U.S. Senate primary race. Fischer won endorsements Wednesday from Gov. Dave Heineman as well as her two top primary opponents, Attorney General Jon Bruning and State Treasurer Don Stenberg.

“I’m 100 percent behind her,” Bruning said. “This is about how we can get together and beat Bob Kerrey.”

Fischer credited Bruning for being a tough campaigner whom she looks forward to campaigning with and credited Stenberg for being a public servant for many years.

“He serves his state with his heart and his soul,” she said.

Fischer will square off in November against Democratic candidate Bob Kerrey, a former U.S. Senator and Nebraska governor.

Fischer emphasized her rural roots and legislative experience.  She has served eight years in the Legislature.

Gov. Heineman touted Fischer as well, stating, “She has Nebraska values, not New York values.”

He laid out some of the distinctions between Fischer and Kerrey: Fischer is pro-life and believes in a balanced budget, lower taxes, repealing Obamacare and that “marriage is between a man and woman.”

“New York doesn’t need a third United States senator,” Heineman said. “Nebraska needs a second United States senator who shares our Nebraska values.”

Fischer agreed, saying, “I’m a Nebraskan. My sons are Nebraskans. … I live in the state of Nebraska, Bob Kerrey doesn’t, to my knowledge.”

Read more

WOWT

With an exciting come-from-behind surge, Deb Fischer won the Republican U.S. Senate nomination yesterday. She received 41% of the votes, outpolling Jon Bruning and Don Stenberg.

Having generated fewer campaign contributions than Bruning, Fischer credits her victory to a doggedly determined strategy of visiting every county in Nebraska and her staunch conservative credentials.

One of Fischer's campaign slogans is "Sharp as Barbed Wire – Tougher Than a Cedar Fence Post." That turned out to be true in Tuesday's election.

She will face Bob Kerrey (D-NY) in the general election in November.

Congratulations to Deb Fischer!

Read the WOWT article.

Embattled Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is running ahead in the recall election scheduled for early June. And, it seems the Democrats are not playing nice with each other.

Read the good news from Townhall.com.

"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

- James Madison

Governor Mitt Romney visited Omaha today, speaking to an audience of about 500 people at a private fundraiser hosted by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman at the downtown Hilton.  More than $800,000 was raised for Romney in what Omaha businessman Bruce Lauritzen called the most successful political fundraiser in Nebraska history.

After the private fundraiser, Romney spoke to a crowd at a public rally at Rick’s Café Boatyard. 

Romney pointed out that President Clinton often described himself as a new Democrat, but that President Obama is anything but…referring to him as an “old Democrat” who is much more liberal than Clinton.

“He's not the new Democrat. He's the old Democrat. Bill Clinton said the era of big government is over. This president has brought back the era of big government with a vengeance,” Romney said.

“Obama wants “hope” and “change”.  Well I agree.  I hope to change the out of control spending he is doing now,” Romney said.

Romney chided Obama’s attempts at painting himself as a supporter of energy independence, stating that Obama has prevented oil exploration, hindered the coal industry, and claims we don’t’ have enough coal and oil resources to support this country. 

He stated, “I support coal, oil, wind, solar and any means of energy we can harness. Obama say’s he supports all of the above, but what he really means is that he supports all energy sources that come from above ground.”

Romney pointed out Obama’s spending record which includes racking up $5 trillion in national debt by spending more than all of the previous presidents combined.

“If he gets another four years, that’s going to go up another $4 trillion,” he said. 

Obama wants to keep it a secret, but Romney said he plans to inform college students what their paychecks will look like if Obama is allowed to continue racking up debt.

Romney promised his first priority after becoming president would be to repeal Obamacare.  He also promised to get the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada here as well.

Are you ready for change?  Would you like to bring back jobs and our economy?  Energy Independence?  Here’s how you can help:

• Contribute to the DCRP with your time or your money. Click here to get started.
• Stay informed – Click here to get on our mailing list. You can also follow the DCRP on Twitter and Facebook.
• Volunteer to help. There are many different ways you can get involved – click here to stand up and be counted.
• Register to vote and encourage your friends, family, coworkers and others to get registered. Click here to make it happen.

According to an anonymous source quoted in the Washington Post, TransCanada could file for a new permit as early as Friday for its Keystone XL pipeline.  And that sits just fine with the majority of Nebraskans attending this week's pipeline meetings, including landowners near the proposed alternate pipeline route.

"I'm going to be living within four miles of where the pipeline does go through, but I feel safe. I'd feel safe if it went under my property where I live at," George Lierman of Oakdale, NE.

Citizens also believe that the pipeline will be a safe bet and boost the local economy.

"They're using the pipeline as a tool in their view to move us off of fossil fuel, and it's not really about pipeline safety, it's all about the larger issue of energy policy," said Brigham A. McCown

"Increase to the economy all the way around with the jobs situation. And we'll have a lot more of the younger generation that's got a future to look forward to," said Lierman.

"The way the pipeline is constructed is using a local labor force to do construction work, and so we anticipate that every Nebraskan that's qualified to work on this pipeline project will have the opportunity to do so," said Jeff Rauh, Keystone Project Representative.

Others point to the pipeline as a way for America to reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

"We need our own energy, and we have plenty around to use. And we need to take advantage of it," said Robert Petersen, Near Tilden, NE.

Petersen hopes political leaders will, "Do what's right for the country, and this is it."

Americans for Prosperity Nebraska is reporting that today's meeting in O'neill yielded great support for the pipeline as well. Reporting, "Nebraskans want the pipeline!"

TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline would run 1,700 miles from Canada to the Gulf Coast, transporting up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day. Because the project crosses an international border, it must receive approval from the U.S. State Department.

President Barack Obama has resisted approving the pipeline. 

TransCanada has identified a new preferred corridor through Nebraska that would avoid the environmentally sensitive Sand Hills and is expected to refine that route following public meetings and a review by the state.

A spokesman for TransCanada said it's encouraging to see the state process moving forward with public input and that the company has been encouraged by discussions with landowners along the potential new route.

Republicans have hammered Obama over his handling of the project and GOP lawmakers in Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., continue to try to force its approval. Backers of the project say it would help create jobs and provide greater energy security.

Pipeline backers point to years of environmental reviews that have found the project poses little hazard to environmental resources along the route.

OWH

KTIV

Are you ready to do something about the burden of high gas prices?  Are you ready for energy independence?  Some new jobs?  Help Republican leadership get the Pipeline back on track.  Help us expand drilling.  Here's what you can do:

• Contribute to the DCRP with your time or your money. Click here to get started.
• Stay informed – Click here to get on our mailing list. You can also follow the DCRP on Twitter and Facebook.
• Volunteer to help. There are many different ways you can get involved – click here to stand up and be counted.
• Register to vote and encourage your friends, family, coworkers and others to get registered. Click here to make it happen.