Republican Flynn: Johanns is vulnerable

ANNA JO BRATTON
Associated Press Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. — Republican Pat Flynn acknowledges that if he wins the May 13 Senate primary it would be a phenomenal upset, but he says that's just what his party needs.

Flynn faces Mike Johanns, a well-known and well-funded former Nebraska governor and U.S. agriculture secretary.

"He's supervulnerable if we can capture that," says Flynn, who reminds people often that he entered the race in July, before incumbent Republican Chuck Hagel announced he wouldn't seek re-election.

Flynn, a Schuyler investment adviser, has raised about $117,000, including a $20,000 personal loan. Johanns has raised more than $2 million, helped by a fundraiser in December with President Bush.

Money isn't Flynn's main problem.

"The true obstacle is name recognition, and that is a huge obstacle," Flynn says. "If we lose, it'll be because we didn't quite do enough, because the opportunity is there."

Flynn says campaign finance laws meant to level the playing field actually have hurt him. An individual can give only $2,300 to a candidate for the primary, and Flynn says he has a few donors who would be willing to give him much more. Even if Johanns does, too, Flynn says "that extra $50,000 or $100,000 could throw us over the top."

Flynn says the Republican Party is "letting the liberals define the agenda" and describes himself as a conservative Republican who will lead with resolve in Washington.

He lent the $20,000 to his campaign to pay for 30-second radio advertisements at 30 stations across the state.

"I can live without television ads, but radio ads I couldn't do without," Flynn says.

Flynn shook up his staff late last year, hiring Democrat Joe Shoemaker as an adviser and firing his campaign manager. Flynn's communications director also left, and Shoemaker is Flynn's new campaign manager. Flynn says he's not worried about the difference in their parties because "I'm the boss."

Flynn has presented a platform of less government intrusion in areas such as ethanol subsidies, health care and education.

It takes 3 gallons of water and three-quarters of a gallon of oil to make 1 gallon of ethanol, Flynn says, and it's shortsighted to subsidize the system.

He says the nation should use the best form of energy, whatever it is, and reduce regulations on oil drilling.

"We're acting like a helpless country," he says.

Flynn says the troop surge in Iraq seems to be working and says the U.S. needs to fight to win.

He would have voted against the economic stimulus package that put $600 into the pockets of many Americans. A better idea, Flynn says, would be to lower the corporate tax to keep companies in the United States. They leave U.S. shores not so much because of the cost of labor, but because of a strict regulatory environment, Flynn says.

Government should stay out of health care, he says, and he opposes a nationalized system.

Flynn says he'll vote for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, but as a career politician, he's not Flynn's first choice.

Flynn has pledged not to seek federal funding earmarks and says the federal government needs to be cut 10 percent.

"What would I bring back to Nebraska? Just our liberties," he says.

———

On the Net:

Pat Flynn for Senate:

http://www.flynn2008.com

Mike Johanns for Senate:

http://www.mikejohanns2008.com

Scott Kleeb:

http://www.scottkleeb.com

Tony Raimondo campaign:

http://www.raimondo2008.com