Let's talk about an issue that many are speaking about, and one that I have been questioned about ... Jane Kleeb.
Before I declared my candidacy for State Chair, I had been contacting Jane to encourage her to run for the position that I am currently seeking. I believed that she, more than any other Democrat in this state had the proven organizational skills and track record at accomplishing her goals than anyone else I could think of. And then ...
According to Jane, she approached Vince Powers and proposed a coalition of Hillary and Bernie supporters to lead the party with what was to be known as a "unity slate." She and Vince included Andy Holland and Sen. Steve Lathrop on their ticket as they believed such a group had all of the necessary experience and skills to lead our party into the future. It was not very well received, to say the least.
I will admit that I have never been an active supporter of Jane's organization, Bold Nebraska, but I always believed it to be a good one, one that was performing a very important service to Nebraskans. I mean, how could you not praise those that were working to save our precious water from evil oil? My reasons for not being actively involved were manifold. I had served, in various capacities, within the NDP organization - county chair, SCC delegate, Secretary of the CDO3, Assoc. Chair of CD3, and I served on a variety of committees. Such service was a great drain on my resources. As I approached retirement, I had to cut back. I didn't need to travel all over the countryside raising barns, planting corn, and getting myself arrested just so I could feel like I was doing something good either. I get enough of that with helping some of my handicapped neighbors and friends with yard work and such.
Once I had declared my candidacy, spurred on by seeing no one stepping up to run for Chair as a strong Bernie Sanders supporter, I began getting messages from people warning me about some issues that they had with candidates for a variety of positions. I learned more about Jane Kleeb, and what I learned led me to believe that she might not be the best person to lead our party, as I had thought. It also made me question the motives behind Bold Nebraska.
What I have to say from here on out will be considered heresy by those that worship at the temple, and believe in the sanctity, of Jane Kleeb. So be it. I have my reputation for being blunt to defend.
There are basically three things that bother me now. First is what, exactly, has Bold Nebraska accomplished? The oil that will no longer flow beneath our soil will now be transported aboard tanker cars on our railroads. We will be only one derailment away from an ecological disaster. Many of the tankers that carry that oil are owned by Warren Buffet, a guy whose very close personal friend and fellow investor, Dick Holland, gave Jane the initial funding to get Bold Nebraska off the ground. The question must be asked, was stopping the KXL Pipeline something that profitted two of the wealthiest men in our state?
Jane's husband, Scott Kleeb, started a business called Energy Pioneer Solutions. The Wall Street Journal published a very interesting article that tied the origins and fortunes of this company to Hillary and Bill's Clinton Global Initiative. I can't imagine why Jane would want to bite the hand that feeds her family.
The last thing that has always made me a little uncomfortable around Jane is her love for the camera. She travels all over the country to be on Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, NTV ... Anything dealing with Bold Nebraska will always have her face associated with it. I question whether this is a healthy thing for her organization. Would it be a healthy thing for ours?
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