Alright I'm finally going to admit it, "Benator" is pissing me off

Those of you who know me know that I'm pretty much supportive of any Senator with a D next to their name. I generally believe that it is a political reality that some Democratic senators in red states have to pretty much sell their souls to get elected sometimes and that generally their caucus vote does us a world more of good than having a Republican in that seat.

But Ben Nelson is REALLY starting to cross the line. He is considering voting with the GOP on the "nuclear option".

Look Ben I know that Nebraska is like the 3rd or 4th most Republican state in the country and I know that you are up for re-election next year. I usually accept the fact that you vote with the GOP because it is a political reality. But just ONCE can't you actually stand for something?

Okay rant's over, I'm not in Nebraska so this ends here for me.

I still think he's a good kid. He's famous most recently for being the only demacratic senator that won't reject bush's social security overhaul out of hand. If you listen to what he is actually saying, he basically is rejecting bush's plan. In fact last time I heard him talk about it, he was trashing bush's plan pretty good if you read between the lines. Considering siding with the GOP on the nuclear option could be just talk. Although last time I heard him talk about that, he said, "I just want these judges to get an up or down vote." so maybe I'm wrong on this one.

... "read between the lines" of what he's saying, he's already lost. Period.

... and he'll be singin' the Tom Daschle Blues come November, 2006.

Every goddamned Democrat in Congress should have a twelve-foot-wide placard in their offices with Truman's quote on it: "Give the voters a choice between a Republican and a Democrat who acts like a Republican and they will select the real Republican every time."

Y'know, guys like Nelson (hell, both of `em) are probably getting tired of being called fuckin' numbskulls by ordinary Democrats. They might get cut some slack if they stopped behaving like fuckin' numbskulls....

but a liberal Democrat couldn't win an election for dog catcher in Nebraska. Nelson has won. I'll take 50 percent over 0 percent any day of the week.

... Republican?

Know why Democrats don't control Congress today? They aren't Demos any longer--Nelson included.

Sounds harsh, but it's still true. Look at his votes.

I have one simple rule by which to gauge all reps. Each of them should first ask, of all legislation, "is this best for ordinary people? If it isn't, vote it down and start over."

Can't do that, he isn't a Democrat. If he can't win as a Democrat, he ought to go back to private life, instead of pretending to be something he isn't.

Cheers.

will give us a permanent minority. You can't expect a NY style liberal to win in Nebraska. It just isn't reality.

I'm serious. At least with the former you know what you are getting.

When Nelson loses next year, Nebraskans will have an opportunity in 2012 to elect someone who will serve the people rather than the corporations.

Unless Osborne has a change of heart or maybe Lee Terry decides to take him on, neither of which is likely. When Johans bailed to be ag secretary, I think the GOP's chances bailed with him. I guess they have about a year to dig someone up but I doubt he will have the name recognition to beat Nelson. I really don't even think "massive nationally funded RW smear campaign" will work at this point, unless Ben does something stupid.

I haven't seen this yet. Got a link?

he's toast in the causcus. Nelson may be doing this as an excuse to switch anyway--"Hey bill you may need my vote on this. If I vote I have to switch--what committee will I get for my move and my switch?"

I wonder if we couldn't get a twofer if Nelson switches--chafee and snow coming over to our side, maybe.

...but in a seperate post I hear Chafee will be backing the Bolton nomination.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1712081&mesg_id=1712081

He had said he would not vote for the Repubs bill but would try to present his own bill (not that it is better).

I hope that for once, Reid will be able to hold the caucus as he has made this issue his main issue.