Shoemaker, Nelson say attacks unfair

Legislative candidate Frank Shoemaker said his campaign is about "hope, not accusations," and Sen. Ben Nelson said he takes attacks on his pro-life stance personally.

Their statements came in response to charges made at a pro-life rally Tuesday involving Republican Senate candidate Pete Ricketts, legislative candidate Mark Christensen and State Sens. Mike Foley and Tom Baker.

Calling the Knights of Columbus rally "lightly attended," Shoemaker said: "If I had been asked I would have let the reporter and the readers of the Gazette know that my campaign is about hope, not about accusations. I am about giving voice to each of you who feels you are not listened to, about fighting for the rights of each of you who works for a living, about treating each person with respect and dignity regardless of age, or religion, or income."

Sen. Nelson said he was pro-life long before entering politics, and that he remains the only candidate endorsed by the Nebraska Right to Life and Nebraskans United for Life.

"It's personal when they attack me and my record," Nelson told the Gazette today, noting his pro-life views played a part in the adoption of two children.

As governor, he supported a waiting period for abortion, parental consent and the partial-birth abortion ban.

The pro-life rally was a "tag team" effort to distract from the credibility of an office holder with a long-term pro-life record, Nelson said.

Ricketts "has no record," he said.

Shoemaker continued that "today, rural Nebraska needs the help of all Nebraskans to survive the challenges of declining population and loss of essential services. We can only make progress if we stop looking for the issues that divide us and focus on the issues that will unite us. 

"In the article, Sen. Mike Foley says, 'he's not one of us,' in reference to me. His statement is ridiculous. I have never met nor spoken to Sen. Foley. If he had spoken to me, he would know that my position on family values has been consistent throughout the campaign. I oppose abortion except in cases of rape, incest and threat to a mother's life.

"To suggest that I am not pro-life is insincere at best and dishonest at worst. Such an attack certainly does not follow the Christian values that my opponent claims to follow. 

"My position regarding stem cell research has also been consistent. I agree with President Bush, Orin Hatch and Nancy Reagan and support research using only existing stem cell lines and adult stem cells to find cures for Parkinson's, Juvenile Diabetes, and other disabilities that afflict us. 

"I have not only been consistently pro-life, but also consistent about my positions on water, economic development and health care -- issues that I believe are important to the residents of the 44th District. 

"My opponent, on the other hand tells you he will put water in the lakes and then refuses to tell how he will do so. He says he is in favor of registering every gun and when questioned reverses his stance. He says he is against incentives to attract physicians to our hospital but won't respond when asked why. He says he will resign from WaterClaim and Nebraskans First if he is elected. However, during the heat of an election, candidates often say anything just to get elected. 

"This Legislative race should not be about politics, or religion, but about hope -- about saving not destroying lives. My family values are the values that each of us share and I am proud those values are a part of my life. There is great hope on the prairie because we are an independent people. We deserve an independent senator, not one tied to special interests such as WaterClaim or Nebraskans First," Shoemaker said. 

"Together we can grow our communities and provide our children with jobs and opportunities so that they will stay and raise their families," he said.

Shoemaker supporter John Kugler of McCook said he found irony in the statement, "As a father to seven children, Christensen said he believed life begins at conception and that each life is 'a gift from God.'"

"If Mark Christensen is so family-oriented and feels so strongly about his pro life and family values position, maybe he should stay home, support his wife and help raise his young family instead of entertaining the thought of being away from home more than half the year trying to be the next Tom Baker. What's wrong with that picture?," Kugler said.