Bruning Says His Poll Shows Him Leading Hagel In Potential Senate Primary
April 23, 2007
Attorney General Jon Bruning says a poll he paid for showed him leading U.S Senator Chuck Hagel by nine percentage points, 47 percent to 38 percent, in a survey of 404 Republicans who said they were likely to vote in the 2008 GOP primary.
Bruning recently reversed a previous decision and strongly indicated he will challenge Hagel if the incumbent seeks a third term. Bruning cited Hagel’s severe criticism of President Bush and his handling of the war in Iraq.
The Hagel camp sent over its first barrage at Bruning, following the attorney general’s teleconference Monday with reporters.
"With his record of credibility, we don't put much stock in 'polls' Jon Bruning pays his pollster to produce,” said Hagel political director Kevin Chapman. “Whatever Jon Bruning claims, Nebraskans will not vote for a chameleon.”
“When Bill Clinton was president and the Democrats controlled Congress, Jon Bruning was a card-carrying pro-choice, pro-tax Democrat,” Chapman. “After a Republican Congress was elected in 1994, he transformed himself into a pro-life, anti-tax Republican.”
Chapman said Bruning previously told people, including Hagel, that he would support the senator for re-election, or in a bid for the Republican nomination for president.
Hagel has not announced whether he would seek a third term, run for president, or leave elective politics.
“Records and facts do matter,” Chapman said. “Senator Hagel has compiled one of the most conservative voting records in the Senate over the last ten years. Last year, Senator Hagel's voting record was the most supportive of President Bush in the Senate. He has worked with the President on immigration reform, Social Security reform, climate change, and tax and spending issues.
Chapman said “It’s laughable that Jon Bruning is claiming to be more Republican than Chuck Hagel.”
Bruning said Monday that he had not made a final decision on a Senate campaign.
A former state senator, Bruning said he poll also showed him leading former mayor and one-time Omaha congressman Hal Daub 55% to 16% statewide.
Whaddya' think of Bruning's poll? What about Chapman's comments on Bruning?
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