Last edited Tue Feb 7, 2012, 01:03 PM - Edit history (1)

However, it was because of blue dogs like him that we got a very fair HCR packagge instead of something extraordinary

In reality, it is about time the party started to clean itself up

athat a majority in the senate is still important

However, why isn't there a Democrat to represent that Democreatic, that is disturbing

Look at Wisconsin, the people were passionate about getting a referendum on walker, but is there a viable candidate, and if not, this is why the Democratic party is where it is today, they have grown lazy and complacent

Best of luck to Kerrey. So disappointing that Nebraska has drifted so far to the right.

The cartoonish idiocy over more conservative Democrats here is such a self-defeating death spiral. Because Nelson had a few high-profile departures from the party line, it seems like the more limited viewpoints automatically ignore the effect of a seat switching parties, as this one most assuredly will, on committee makeup, on electing Senate leaders, on confirmations, on procedural matters - all where Nelson counted for as much as Wellstone.

And of course the 80% of votes he cast WITH the Dem party, including on many many major issues, will be completely ignored as idiots seem to think a Republican replacement will be "just the same". Trust me - he won't.

If the Senate leadership is lost 51-49 Nelson's retirement might be the lone reason why.

"Cut off nose to spite face."

Some people can't seem to get their brains around the reality of deeply red states.

An acceptably pure progressive won't get elected in a state like Nebraska for another hundred years.

Sen. Ben Nelson's mere existence (and Bob Kerrey's, for that matter) was something of an aberration.

SG

They've been voting in a Democratic Senator since 1976. That's straight 36 years! Plus, from '79 to '97, the state had TWO Dem senators. Finally, Obama won an EC vote there in '08.

It's not hopeless...

thanks to the minority neighborhoods in Omaha.

The trouble is the rest of the state, i.e. practically everything west of the Elkhorn River.

They will elect the odd Dem senator or govenor, but in a bow to frontier bi-partisanship rather than from conviction--and only if the candidate's been around for years.

And as you can see with Nelson and Kerrey, these are pure Dinos. But, the older generation is dying off and there are signs of hope among the young--if my NE nieces and nephews are any indication.

Hope this answers some of your questions!
SG

In the last challenge to Lee Terry's (R) seat, the young Dems running that campaign focused on trying to convert the white Republicans in their hoods rather than getting out the vote in the Democratic neighborhoods (predominantly POC) that got Obama the 1 electoral college vote in 08.

The young white, Latino, and African American kids from more affluent Omahan suburbs are pretty conservative -- even the ones sporting piercings, and tribal tattoos.

Since 1979, between the two Senate seats in NE, there have been 33 years of a Dem in one seat, and 18 years of a Democrat in the second seat.

That's a total of 51 (combined) years of Dems representing NE in the Senate.

Republicans have only had 15.

77% Democratic, 23% Republican.

If the state is THAT Red, how do y'all account for those numbers?

Senators back around the 90's.

Now a (D) has no chance here. The two (R) Senators are unbeatable and have little name recognition outside the state.

in a way Nelson or some other Dems wont be able to. Chuck HAgel was the same. maybe they like vets or something.

but this is why i hoped bob kerrey would run even though he can be an ass.

since its red

Wish it weren't so. It used to be better.

he spent a week in Nebraska and found out how tough it will be to raise the millions he needs for the run.

Follow the money, and watch it murder democracy.

full of dollars.

May the SC Justices who allowed this travesty choke on dollar bills stuffed into their greedy gullets.

SG