Ben Nelson (Ne) known more for negotiating than legislating

FULL story reg req: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2265802

Published Sunday
October 22, 2006

Nelson known more for negotiating than legislating

BY JAKE THOMPSON


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Four months after Ben Nelson arrived in the U.S. Senate, he laid down his first marker on May 1, 2001.

The purpose of Nelson's bill, S.811: "To designate the oak tree as the national tree of the United States."

With Nebraska home to Arbor Day, that wasn't stepping too far out on a limb. The bill passed, although it took 31/2 years.

This caution and tenacity are representative of Nelson's 14-year public career as a two-term Nebraska governor and one-term Democratic senator.

The pragmatic Nelson is a careful vote-counter and a policy wonk. In Washington, he has spoken out on issues ranging from taxes to military benefits, health insurance to rural development, drought aid to ethanol - but usually in moderate tones.

Occasionally, he's stepped into the national spotlight, as when he helped broker deals on President Bush's tax cuts and judicial nominations.

"He's a low-key senator who reflects the interests of his state," said Marshall Wittmann, a senior fellow at the Democratic Leadership Council and a former aide to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"There's senators who make a big splash, and there are others who keep their heads down and work hard for their states," Wittmann said of Nelson.

In seeking re-election Nov. 7 against Republican Pete Ricketts, Nelson touts his work for Nebraska throughout his public life.

FULL story at link above.

He's the next one to get the boot! :evilfrown: but I can wait.....