Nelson, Ricketts go on offensive in first debate (Senate race Ne)

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Published Friday
August 11, 2006

Nelson, Ricketts go on offensive in first debate


LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson and Republican challenger Pete Ricketts picked up Friday where their TV ads left off - attacking each other.

The first question posed to them in their first debate asked if they characterized their campaign as negative.

Nelson immediately criticized a Ricketts ad that said "A Democratic Senate controlled by Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy promises an agenda of higher taxes, more government spending and liberal judges. An agenda against our Nebraska values."

"My opponent is prepared to support his party above people and support partisanship above policy," Nelson said. "I've always put Nebraskans first ahead of party. I always have. I always will.

Republican Ben Nelson vs. ultra-Republican Pete Ricketts.

Anyone who claims that Ben Nelson is too liberal has a personal political preference which lies just to the right of Ann Coulter.

Nelson, the *Democrat* (DINO), is running ads linking himself with Bush. Figure THAT the hell out.

In a state that had maybe 1 county go to Kerry.

Kerry was shut out here in Ne. He was hoping to steal one of the 3 electoral votes we have, since our state does allow splitting the votes up my district.

Why is Nebraska so rightwing? You would think that farmer subsidies, a dem thing, would help the dem vote. Older population? I never could figure out why Nebraska is so sympathetic to the bush/cheney types.

Rickett Nelson was a teen idol and singer in the early 50's. Sang with his brother Dave.:hide: