Michelle Kennedy
English 105H12
Proposal Argument
November 14, 2000
Purpose
The purpose of this proposal is to examine and establish the need for President
Clinton to visit the state of Nebraska before his term in office is complete, with the
inauguration of our next President on January 20, 2001. At the present time, President
Clinton has visited the other 49 states in America during his eight years in the office of
President. It is not an explicit duty of the President to visit every state in the nation;
however, since President Clinton has visited every other state, isn’t it only fair that he
should visit Nebraska also? Thus, for the sake of equality, President Clinton should visit
Nebraska before his term in office is complete.
Methods
I will first give the background concerning presidential visits to states. I will then
establish the need for President Clinton to visit Nebraska, including citing complaints
from residents of Nebraska. I will then establish a plan for the visit. Next, I will outline
the benefits that will result from the visit to Nebraska. Finally, I will give my
recommendations for implementation of my plan.
Background
American Presidents have always maintained camaraderie with their constituents,
by visiting with them. The presidential salary covers travel provisions; currently the
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President receives $100,000 a year for travel expenditures.1 Even if a visit to a particular
state wasn’t within this budget, another faction could pick up this expense. For example,
the state’s presidential party affiliation may take up this expense.
As far as President Clinton is concerned, I’ve already established that he has
visited 49 of the United States. In addition, he has visited over 55 of our world’s
countries. While he just recently made Mississippi the 49th state he has visited, it is
important to note that Clinton has visited neighbors of the neglected Nebraska several
times:
Clinton has planted the presidential wingtip in the soil of neighboring
Missouri 14 times, Colorado 11 times, Iowa eight. He has kissed babies
next door in Wyoming, which has one-third the registered voters (of
Nebraska), on three occasions. Last month, the President headed to South
Dakota for the fifth time, visiting the Pine Ridge Reservation, which is, if
the wind is right, in spitting distance from Nebraska.2
Thus, while President Clinton has been close to Nebraska, there’s been “no cigar.”
Needs
President Clinton needs to visit Nebraska, in order to maintain equality between
the states. There are approximately 1.7 million citizens residing in Nebraska and that is
too large a number of constituents to ignore. Scores of Nebraska residents are upset that
President Clinton has disregarded a visit to their state; many of these citizens have voiced
published complaints against Clinton’s rebuff.
“Oftentimes a president will visit a state because of a natural disaster. So,
in a good way, this is a good thing,” insisted state Democratic Party
1
Howstuffworks.com’s “How much does the U.S. President get paid?” [Online] Available
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question449.htm, November 11, 2000.
2
Slater, Eric. Nebraska Upset Over Clinton’s Snub—Cornhuskers Ask Why President’s Been
Everywhere But Here. [Online] Available http://detnews.com/1999/nation/9909/23/09230189.htm,
November 8, 2000.
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Chairwoman Anne Boyle. Still, she added a bit mournfully, “We’d sure
like a visit.”3
In addition, when Presidential Scholar Nick Loomis had the opportunity to speak briefly
with President Clinton, he used his time to question Clinton on when he will come to
Nebraska.4 A columnist for the Omaha World-Herald wrote, “…I don’t like…being the
only state he hasn’t visited.”5 A visit by Clinton is needed to help alleviate some of the
hurt feelings of the 1.7 million Nebraskans and bring equality concerning President
Clinton’s visits to the fifty states.
Idea
President Clinton will make his visit to Nebraska during the month of December.
Since he has never visited the state before, a fairly extensive visit of a couple days would
be appropriate. President Clinton will partake in a “Tour Across Nebraska.” He will first
fly to the western panhandle of the state, to Scottsbluff, for a rally. While in the western
panhandle, he may want to visit Chimney Rock, a historical landmark on the Oregon
Trail. He will then travel to the central part of the state, to Grand Island for another rally.
Since he declined former Senator Jim Exon’s invitation to attend the dedication of the
Great Platte River Road Archway Monument6, this would be a good opportunity to tour
the monument, as he will be in the area. Finally, President Clinton will journey to
Lincoln, where he will visit with Governor Mike Johanns and other politicians from
around the state. A rally can be held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, in
3
Slater, [Online].
Associated Press, The. Lincoln Scholar Quizzes Clinton About Visit. [Online] Available
http://www.theindependent.com/stories/070500/new_clinton05.html, November 8, 2000.
5
Slater, [Online].
4
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order to allow important younger constituents an opportunity to share in President
Clinton’s visit.
Benefits
A visit by President Clinton to Nebraska will establish equality of presidential
visits and will alleviate some of the hurt feelings of Nebraskans. While some Nebraskans
will not necessarily be overjoyed by finally receiving Clinton’s attention, the visit will
create political enthusiasm in the state. It’s always a nice treat for the towns a President
chooses to visit, especially for a small state. Small states such as Nebraska are used to
being ignored by national politicians, so a visit by Clinton will be a pleasant change for
Nebraskans.
Additional Benefits
Nebraska is a historically Republican state. A visit by a Democrat president will
increase goodwill feelings toward the Democratic Party in the state. Nebraskans do feel
comfortable with former Governor, now Senator-elect Ben Nelson, who is a Democrat.
However, Nebraskans will be more likely to vote Democrat in elections if they feel at
ease with Democratic candidates (with the exception of Nelson and a few others). For
instance, in the 2000 Presidential Election, Nebraska’s five electoral votes would have
benefited Vice President Al Gore’s campaign for President. Instead, those five votes
went George W. Bush. At the present time, it looks like Bush will squeak out a victory in
the Electoral College. While they may initially appear insignificant, Nebraska’s five
6
Clinton Plans to Visit Nebraska Eventually. [Online] Available
http://www.cenebr.net/newsarchive/062300.html, November 8, 2000.
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votes contributed to Bush’s victory in a big way, and had the state voted Democrat
instead, the results of this election could have been a lot different. To avoid this problem
in the future, Democrats need to make their presence more visible in Nebraska. President
Clinton will promote these goodwill feelings and Democratic visibility.
Recommendation for Implementation
President Clinton needs to visit Nebraska before his term in office is completed.
Nebraskans owe themselves the right to a visit by President Clinton, and so they must
demand that this event occur. Immediate pressure is needed, in order to get a plan put
into motion. Nebraskans need to pressure political officials on all levels, from city
mayors to the Governor, who, in turn, can use their political influence to pressure the
White House into implementation of President Clinton’s Nebraska visit.
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Bibliography
Associated Press, The. Lincoln Scholar Quizzes Clinton About Visit. [Online] Available
http://www.theindependent.com/storeies/070500/new_clinton05.html, November
8, 2000.
Clinton Plans to Visit Nebraska Eventually. [Online] Available
http://www.cenebr.net/newsarchive/062300.html, November 8, 2000.
Howstuffworks.com’s “How much does the U.S. President get paid?” [Online] Available
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question449.htm, November 11, 2000.
Slater, Eric. Nebraska Upset Over Clinton’s Snub—Cornhuskers Ask Why President’s
Been Everywhere But Here. [Online] Available
http://detnews.com/1999/nation/9909/23/09230189.htm, November 8, 2000.
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