Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE), who has moved back to Nebraska to run for the state’s open Senate seat, has rolled out two new ads to reintroduce himself to voters after a 12-year absence — and perhaps to rebut Republican attacks about his having lived in New York for the past decade.
One ad shows various local supporters touting Kerrey:
“Welcome home, Bob”; “Back where you belong”; “Once a Husker, always a Husker”; “You never take the Nebraska out of a Nebraskan”; “Bob Kerrey was born here, raised here, and he’s got family here”; “He was a grunt soldier, he was a SEAL”; “He started his first business here, and he still has businesses here”; “He was a very good governor”; “A good, independent senator”; “served on the 9/11 commission”; “As a veteran, I know Bob Kerrey will put country first.”
And finally the candidate himself appears: “It’s good to be home. I’m Bob Kerrey, and I authorized this ad, to do what I can to change Washington.”
The other spot takes a more serious tone, with the candidate speaking about the nation’s problems:
“America needs to step up its game. Our government is dysfunctional; our schools are not performing at world standards; our competitors are stealing our technology; and our debt is crippling our future. We need leaders willing to lead, willing to make the tough decisions, willing to work with both parties — and I’m ready to do just that. It’s good to be back. I’m Bob Kerrey, and I sponsored this ad.”
