Political Candidate Spotlight: Scott Kleeb

Scott Kleeb is a former bull rider and he knows what it's like to get knocked off.

In 2006, he lost in the race for Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District Seat.

But he also knows it's important to get back on.  Now he's running to be your U.S. Senator.

“I'm a father, teacher and husband. I want to come home and say I did something today. Politicians come home and say I did nothing, took a long vacation and go ahead and elect me again. We can do better than that.”

And making the economy better is high on Kleeb's list.

He said he would have reluctantly voted for the $700 billion financial bailout plan..

But he says more needs to be done, like keeping a closer eye  on lending and mortgage companies that lost nearly everything during the housing crisis.

“We carry $9 trillion in debt, these companies were carrying way too much debt and we weren't actually having proper oversight to make sure they were regulating it. Not more regulation, just smarter regulation.”

Health care reform is also important to Kleeb.  He says we need to invest in  public and private partnerships that protect consumer choice while ensuring affordable care.

“We should be doing more to increase affordability, insurance coverage that stays with you for life.  Not a short term investment. Make them invest in the long term life of every Nebraskan.”

Kleeb says we need to invest in becoming less dependent on foreign oil.

He supports off shore drilling and continued financial support for ethanol, nuclear and hydropower.

When it comes to Iraq, Kleeb likes the idea of benchmarks for troop withdrawal.  He says it's time to leave the future of Iraq to the Iraqi government and refocus the U.S. military on fighting terrorism.

“The truest threat to American national security is the Taliban in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. But because we've had out of touch policies in Washington, we haven't gone after in the most robust way we should in the Afghan, Pakistan region.”

Kleeb's campaign slogan has basically been: It's time for change and we can do better.

To learn more about him www.scottkleeb.com