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NEBRASKA’S 2ND U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT --

Terry vs. White

Terry leads White in fundraising

Published Sunday, August 8, 2010: By John Gizzi, HUMAN EVENTS

After 12 years in the House—the longest stint for any U.S. Representative from Nebraska’s 2nd District (Omaha) in more than a half-century—conservative Republican Lee Terry is resigned to the fact he will always have to face a spirited Democratic challenge.

“This is a classic swing district—one of those you always read about being ‘in play,’ ” said Terry (lifetime American Conservative Union rating: 89.82%) with a sigh. “And with 40% of the registered voters Republicans, 40% Democrats and the rest independents, I’m afraid it’s always going to be that way.”

Clearly, 2010 is no exception, as State Sen. Tom White has all-out backing from state Democrats, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Service Employees International Union, and President Obama’s own Organizing for America group.

“In fact, the SEIU has its own ‘527’ to do my opponent’s dirty work by attacking me,” says Terry, “That lets him appear above the fray and sound ‘moderate.’ He learned how to do that from [ former Nebraska Democratic Gov. and Sen.] Bob Kerrey, a liberal who always sounded moderate.

Well, I’m running against the state senator who led the fight to overturn our Republican Gov. Dave Heineman’s vetoes of spending measures in the budget seven times. And our state right-to-life organization can’t get him even to say whether he’s pro-life or pro-abortion. That doesn’t sound ‘moderate’ to me!”

Facing political guerrilla warfare every two years has not made Terry dip his political sails. He still fights proposed tax increases as he did on the Omaha City Council and, in a year when social issues appear to be downplayed, Terry proudly proclaims: “I love the social issues. I oppose abortion in all circumstances except to save the life of the mother. Respecting human life is the foundation of my moral code.”

These days, Terry admits he spends much of his time “fighting the good fight by voting ‘no’ on the Obama expansion of government. Whether it’s healthcare or cap and trade, I stand firm and, after some of this stuff passes and I feel like a steam-roller ran over me, I get up, dust myself off, and fight another battle. That’s what it’s like for conservatives these days.”

That, of course, may change if Lee Terry has more company on his side of the House aisle after November. But in trying to elect more of their own to Congress, conservatives should not overlook one of their own already there: Lee Terry, who has long fought good fights and never gives up.

 

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