Scroll down for their immigration stances which I highlighted.

Published Tuesday May 6, 2008
Little ground separates Kleeb, Raimondo
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

• Raimondo gives campaign for U.S. Senate $450,000

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• Raimondo gives campaign for U.S. Senate $450,000
Democrats Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo come at key policy issues from a slightly different angle, but, at the end of the day, little light separates them on the big issues.

Instead, the U.S. Senate candidates are trying to differentiate themselves by highlighting life experiences and broad campaign themes.

Kleeb emphasizes his desire to unite people behind change, while Raimondo stresses his 40 years in business and his interest in economic development and global trade.

Kleeb, 32, is a Hastings College history instructor who ran for Nebraska's 3rd District House seat two years ago. Raimondo, 68, helped turn around Behlen Manufacturing Co. in the mid-1980s.

"It's really a matter of style. I don't think they're that far apart on the issues," says Vic Covalt, a Democratic Party official in Lancaster County who helped organize the April 26 debate between the two.

The race between Kleeb and Raimondo has generated few fireworks and has been waged in large part on the airwaves.

One reason may be that both entered the race relatively late, in February, and both spent much of their time scrambling for dollars and putting together a campaign. And neither contender has held public office, which means they have no voting records to analyze.

"It is in general more difficult to draw differences between candidates in the same party," said Randy Adkins, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Scott Kleeb vs. Tony Raimondo

What's at stake
Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo are entering the final stretch of what has been a low-key battle for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The winner of the May 13 primary likely will face Republican Mike Johanns in the fall.

Iraq war

Raimondo
Says war was a mistake, but that hes not comfortable calling for an immediate troop withdrawal. Iraq must be stable and secure before American forces withdraw. Says his goal would be to have troops out within one to three years. We have to design an exit strategy that gives us some honor, as we turn it over to the Iraqis.

Kleeb
Would place greater emphasis on diplomacy to end the war. Supports a drawdown of troops to send the message that the Iraqis must assume responsibility for their country. Says complete troop withdrawal cannot come until Iraq is secure and stable. We need to find a way to replace our unilateral presence there.

Economy

Kleeb
Would work to create jobs by investing in education and infrastructure. America should invest more in developing alternative fuels and green-collar industries, which would create high-paying jobs that could not be shipped overseas.

Raimondo
Says creating jobs would be one of his top priorities. The federal government needs to invest billions in the nations infrastructure, job training for workers and renewable energy technology. As the nation winds down war in Iraq, money spent overseas should be diverted to the domestic front.

Taxes

Raimondo
Supports continuing most of President Bushs tax cuts, saying now is not the time to raise taxes on middle-income Americans. Would consider repealing tax cuts for wealthiest citizens, notably those in top 2 percent.

Kleeb
Supports extending Bushs tax cuts for middle-income Americans. Would consider repealing some tax cuts for wealthier Americans but does not give a percentage or income level. We need to balance (the tax cuts) with our need to bring our deficit and debt under control.

Health care

Kleeb
Has no detailed health-care plan. Says he supports universal health-care system, but does not say whether he would support a requirement that all people have insurance in an effort to spread out the costs.

Raimondo
Has no detailed health-care plan. Says he could not support either a universal health-care system or a requirement that all people have insurance to spread out costs. Would work with moderate lawmakers to find solution to rising health-care costs.

Earmarks

Raimondo
Supports earmarks but calls for more transparency in the earmarking process. Earmarks have done good things for Nebraska communities, universities and others. Earmarks for me should start with local Nebraska communities in need.

Kleeb
Supports earmarks but says they have been abused by both Republicans and Democrats. Bring more transparency to the process, including a requirement that senators should put their names on all earmark requests. Says there should be all earmarks should be voted on.

Illegal immigration

Kleeb
America must secure its borders, but it is not feasible to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. Could support giving illegal immigrants the opportunity to earn citizenship by paying fines, back taxes and other penalties. Federal government needs to be tougher on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Raimondo
America must first secure its borders before deciding what to do with illegal immigrants. Declined to say whether he could support a path to citizenship.

Abortion

Raimondo
Personally opposes abortion, but sees no reason to overturn U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Says he would work to reduce abortions and increase adoptions. There should be no litmus tests for U.S. Supreme Court nominees.

Kleeb
Personally opposes abortion, but believes that abortion rights are the law of the land. Would work to reduce abortions. Would not make abortion a litmus test for U.S. Supreme Court nominees.
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