Krist Downgrades Campaign Cash Forecast

Omaha, NE.— Shortly after winning the Democratic Party's nomination for governor in May, Bob Krist told me he expected to have more than enough money to knock off Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts in November: "We think $3.5 (million) is in our reach and maybe $5 (million). Times have changed. This is what Krist told me just the other day.

Joe Jordan NCN: Have you raised a million bucks yet?

Krist: No.

Joe Jordan NCN: Are you going to?

Krist: Yea, oh yea. I have all the faith in the world that we will raise about $2.5 million....I have a rough commitment for $1.5 (million) to $1.7 (million).

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Earlier this year Jane Kleeb, the head of the Nebraska Democratic Party said Krist would need to raise at least $2 million by "late summer to be competitive." Now she says: "I do think this is an interesting time in politics where the traditional campaign in a box—that you had to have a certain amount of money for air,  a certain amount for direct mail, etc.— has really gone out the window." Kleeb adds Krist is running a strong grass roots campaign, backing Medicaid expansion which Ricketts opposes. Krist says for a while his money hunt was "stifled" a bit by, among other things, potential donors asking, "Do you really have a chance." He says his recent debate with Ricketts has turned things around and those same skeptics now tell him, "You do have a chance." Follow Joe on Twitter and Facebook And on NCN (Cox Cable 1116, Spectrum 98)