Kerrey, Ashford and More Back Kleine Over Nebraska Democratic Pa

Kerrey, Ashford and More Back Kleine Over Nebraska Democratic Party

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By Joe Jordan

Several key Democrats, including former Governor and Senator Bob Kerrey and former Congressman Brad Ashford, are lining up against the Nebraska Democratic Party's recent thumping of fellow Democrat, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.

In a statement joined by Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray, and two former Democratic candidates for Governor, Chuck Hassebrook and Bob Krist, the five say they are "disappointed in the condemnation" of Kleine by the NDP.

As News Channel Nebraska first reported, on Saturday the NDP adopted a resolution accusing Kleine of perpetuating "white supremacy" in his handling of the James Scurlock case.

Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black protester, was shot and killed May 30 by Jake Gardner, a white downtown bar owner who claimed he acted in self-defense— trying to get out of a headlock— during an 18 second brawl with Scurlock.

A few days after the shooting Kleine refused to charge Gardner. Furthermore, Kleine has stood his ground in the face of a recent grand jury indictment that charged Gardner with, among other things, manslaughter. Kleine has even upped the ante, now claiming that prior to the shooting Scurlock had been “terrorizing” the Old Market.

In today's statement Kerrey and the others say, "In our polarized nation, it is critical to first seek the truth, because events do not conform to any ideology, nor always fit what our political view would lead us to believe. Mr. Kleine’s actions demonstrate an earnest search for truth, as did his call for a special prosecutor and grand jury… (Kleine’s) values, record and behavior are beyond reproach.

According to the Omaha World-Herald Jane Kleeb, the head of the NDP said Sunday that while the resolution “expresses some concern from the community” about Kleine’s comments it does not condemn him or ask him to resign.

Kleine told the paper he is considering changing parties.

In an interview with News Channel Nebraska today Gray, one of Omaha's leading Black public officials, said the NDP was "idiotic and silly" noting as does the statement that Kleine has made a career helping low income defendants including African-Americans.

Here is the statement in full:

We are disappointed in the condemnation of Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine by the Nebraska Democratic Party.

In our polarized nation, it is critical to first seek the truth, because events do not conform to any ideology, nor always fit what our political view would lead us to believe. Mr. Kleine’s actions demonstrate an earnest search for truth, as did his call for a special prosecutor and grand jury.

Don Kleine has done much to help low income defendants including African-Americans. His values, record and behavior are beyond reproach.

Nor do we see any basis to attack the integrity of the grand jury or special prosecutor Fred Franklin. People of good will and conscience can reach different conclusions in a difficult case where multiple parties, including Jake Gardner and James Scurlock, took provocative actions that contributed to the tragedy.

We have a profound problem in America. Some police are murdering African Americans and some police departments are protecting the bad cops who destroy public safety.

Peaceful protests are forcing us to confront the problem. The overwhelming majority of protesters are peaceful and deserve our full support.

Incidents of violence and looting deserve our condemnation. They can prompt a series of events that end in tragedy, as in this case. They are undermining efforts to address police violence toward African Americans by driving Americans further apart, after the great majority had come together in supporting action to address police on black violence.

Chuck Hassebrook, 2014 Democratic Nominee for Nebraska Governor

Senator Bob Kerrey

Congressman Brad Ashford

Councilman Ben Gray

Bob Krist, 2018 Democratic Nominee for Nebraska Governor