Hassebrook Launches First Attack

Today Chuck Hassebrook unveiled the first negative attack ad from a candidate in the general election, making deliberately misleading accusations against Pete Ricketts.

“Two months ago, Chuck Hassebrook said he wanted a positive campaign on real issues.  Today . . . not so much,” said Matt Miltenberger, Ricketts campaign manager.  “What Chuck’s done with this ad is beyond the pale.  It takes class warfare to unprecedented lows in our state, and is downright absurd.”

Where do we start?

Falsehood #1:  Hassebrook’s ad says Ricketts is benefitting from ads “backed by his billionaire father” that are “misleading” about Hassebrook’s record.

Truth:  The Republican Governors’ Association (RGA) produced the ads Hassebrook cites.  They highlight Hassebrook’s well-documented support for and defense of Obamacare. The RGA operates independently from any campaign or candidate and publicly discloses contributions.  Joe Ricketts has never contributed to the RGA.

Falsehood #2: Hassebrook’s ad says Ricketts wants to raise insurance rates.  He cites Ricketts’ opposition to expanding Obamacare in Nebraska as support.

Truth: Nebraskans know the culprit behind drastic increases in their health insurance costs: Obamacare.  Many individuals and families lost the plans they liked and are now incurring double-digit percentage increases in their premiums and deductibles.  Even so, Chuck Hassebrook supports Obamacare, calling the measure “historic,” and saying people would support it if they understood it.

Falsehood #3: Hassebrook’s ad says Ricketts wants to single out reduced tax rates for “the rich and . . . corporations.”  His only cited source is a newspaper report about two legislative bills Ricketts has made clear he has always opposed.

Truth: Tax reform for the benefit of all Nebraskans has been a main tenet of the Ricketts campaign.  Ricketts has released detailed plans for property tax reform, which would be the top priority of a Ricketts administration.

Falsehood #4:  Hassebrook’s ad says Ricketts’ plan would raise taxes on 80 percent of Nebraska families.  The ad cites a report from a left-leaning think tank about Governor Heineman’s LB 405 and 406.

Truth:  Pete Ricketts has publicly denounced the two bills in question, stating their impacts on Nebraskans and the state’s largest industries, agriculture and manufacturing, would be detrimental to the state.  Instead, Pete has a plan to bring about tax reform that will help all Nebraska farmers, small businesses, and middle-class families.