The Bruning Revelations/Attacks

All of the last week's Bruning revelations were probably not unexpected.   Perhaps the vitriol of them should have been.    We've been solid believers that Bruning is the only guy that could win against Nelson and that he would win the primary in order to do so.   Both Omaha's and Lincoln's local dailys have been doing their part to fuel the news furor with Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star in the mix (see reference to his article below):

The last week's 'developments' lead us to certain conclusions:

1. Ben Nelson intends to run for re-election
2. Ben Nelson regards Jon Bruning as the guy who really is a threat to his (Nelson's) reelection
3. Ben Nelson will do ANYTHING NECESSARY to win re-election Don Walton reminds of a Chris Cillizza quote: "Chris Cillizza, writing in the Washington Post a week ago: "Paul Johnson may well be the best campaign manager of either party in the country."
4. As Don Walton notes, the raccoon analogy simply opened up the vicious Nelson/Johnson attack machine earlier than expected.
5. The attack machine, precipitated by the Bruning gaffe, precipitated the recent Omaha World-Herald 'reports' about Bruning's finances and beach house.  The local daily doesn't like to be scooped by the Johnson/Nelson/Nebraska Democratic party.     With 'Part 2' of the Democratic Party's response promised, you no doubt expect more from the Omaha daily
6. The Omaha daily has already positioned itself by its editorial shots and 'investigative reporting' (Robynn Tysver has no doubt been aided by an open telephone line to Johnson) as one that will endorse anyone other than Bruning for the G.O.P. nomination (our guess, probably Fischer) and Nelson for re-election, certainly if Bruning is the nominee.
7. Bruning has been damaged by these revelations.   It does not appear that he has violated the law but many are already being faced with the idea of being required to 'hold their nose' when they go to the polling place in November if Bruning is the nominee.
8. Bruning has been the only one of the potential G.O.P. nominees who has shown the aggressiveness and the fund raising ability to beat Nelson.    We suspect that last week's initial attack by the Democrat Party ad brought in some dollars.   The continued assaults suggesting the appearance of impropriety may change this.   The next round of F.E.C. fund-raising reports will tell something.
9. Bruning who should be out their daily attacking Nelson for Obamacare and the Cornhusker Kickback now has to defend his personal financials which is where Nelson and associates want him.   Who would have thought a rich guy like Nelson who got that way by questionable investments himself would have been able to put a young whippersnapper like Bruning into the same sort of position he put Pete Ricketts in (Wall Street versus Main Street) six years ago?

We could go on but the bottom line is that Nelson, etal., are as viscous as ever and Bruning is damaged.   Whether that changes the dynamics over the next months remains to be seen.  Certainly, prospects for Stenberg and Fischer may be changing.

You can read more the entire Walton article at: http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_f0c7ff6b-d910-5b71-a4cb-4bdf792e0932.html#ixzz1WQOn9Sb5