Dems target Fischer over grazing fees

Nebraska Democrats are rolling out a new campaign ad calling Republican Senate candidate Deb Fischer a “welfare rancher.” The ad goes after Fischer for what was, until recently, a relatively obscure point. Fischer leases public land for her ranch in Cherry County, and like other ranchers who lease federal land, pays far lower rates than market value. “Fischer’s a millionaire rancher collecting special subsidies from the federal government,” narrates a looming voice. The ad was released statewide by the Nebraska Democratic Party this week. Vince Powers, chair-elect of the Nebraska Democratic Party, says the amount of money Fischer has saved by leasing federal land at reduced rates adds up to approximately $125,000 each year. “It would be as if you were renting a warehouse for your business and your competitors only had to pay $5,000 a month and you only had to pay $500 a month,” Powers said. “It’s just a subsidy.” Fischer’s campaign released a statement Tuesday afternoon, responding to the Democrats’ ad, saying they have launched a “false and misleading smear campaign.” Fischer’s lease is “not a subsidy, and it’s certainly not welfare,” the statement read, adding “Ranchers are required to pay for additional maintenance costs and abide by strict federal regulations in exchange for leasing the land.”...more

Dems, criticizing someone for receiving a subsidy?  Amazing.  Guess it would have been ok if she had received a bailout or a stimulus grant.