OK Nebraskans. Tell me about Senator Ben Nelson.

Meeker Morgan

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:11 AM
Original message

OK Nebraskans. Tell me about Senator Ben Nelson.

Edited on Fri Jun-02-06 11:12 AM by Meeker Morgan

The headline is Bush Backs Amendment Banning Gay Marriage.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060602/D8I04VH00.html

Mostly pretty much what you expect.

I'll skip the basic complaint for now and cut to this:

-- snip --

It stands little chance of passing the 100-member Senate, where proponents are struggling to get even 50 votes. Several Republicans oppose the measure, and so far only one Democrat - Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska - says he will vote for it.

-- snip --

So tell me more about this guy Nelson.

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SteppingRazor

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:13 AM
Response to Original message

1. Dude... it's Nebraska...

Nelson's better than having an "R," even if he's not much of a "D." And it's votes like this one -- voting for a strongly conservative bill that stands no chance of passing -- that keeps him in office.

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greekspeak

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:27 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. So being from Nebraska makes it OK for a senator to enshrine hate?

I do not buy that. It is NOT OK for a senator who is supposed to be on my side to get a pass on voting for hate simply because of the state he is from. I have said it before, and I will say it again: I would rather have a Puke who is a Puke as my leader than a Puke who lies and calls himself or herself a dem. Its more honest, and the outcome and voting records come out pretty much the same.

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SteppingRazor

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:32 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. I disagree...

we all know there's no way this will become a constitutional amendment. It's a mathematical impossibility. Given that, it makes sense for Nelson to vote for it, thus getting the support of Neanderthals in his state and preventing a Republican takeover. If it were possible for this bill to actually become a constitutional amendment, I would think differently.

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skipos

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:35 AM
Response to Reply #2

6. Senators represent the the state they are from.

Feingold does a pretty good job of representing WI, Boxer does a good job with CA. Unfortunately, I think Nelson accurately represents Nebraska. Do I wish he would be more progressive, absolutely. Do I think as dems take back the power, his vote will be more progressive, yes. Do I think Nebraska would elected a Feingold or Boxer, not anytime soon.

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skipos

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:31 AM
Response to Original message

3. He has really, really high approval ratings.

He usually ranks in the top 10 as far as senatorial approval ratings go.

I am surprised democrats even get elected in Nebraska, but I guess he does it by voting conservative many times. I know it pisses off DUers, but it seems to make Nebraska happy.

I think that the more dems become the majority power, the more dems like Nelson are going to vote with us. And unfortunately, even states like MI passed gay marriage bands pretty easily. It is going to take even longer for states like Nebraska to wake the fuck up. It will happen though.

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norml

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:33 AM
Response to Original message

5. He doesn't always vote with the repubs, his replacement would.

Edited on Fri Jun-02-06 11:44 AM by norml

It hurts us in the Senate, if he loses.

Vote for Ben Nelson!

See this archived thread...

The Red States: What Makes Us (Them) So Red? Any Ideas?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1158158

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TreasonousBastard

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Fri Jun-02-06 11:41 AM
Response to Original message

7. As others have said...

Nebraska is one of the reddest of red states, and Nelson represents Nebraska, not San Francisco.

It's easy to shout about him maybe being a bigot or homophobe, but political realities being what they are he's got to throw a bone to to the troglodytes. Seemingly senseless speeches and votes are all playing to the homeboys. Ain't one congresscritter, even my own, who can be expected to do the right thing all the time.

Or even much of the time.

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moose65

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Fri Jun-02-06 12:53 PM
Response to Original message

8. That "D" after his name is what matters

Even if we're not happy with his votes all the time. If it came down to a 51-49 Dem majority, it would be damn better to have Nelson that some nameless Republican. Remember, the majority gets to set the agenda. Even if Nelson is a DINO, he's still a D, and would be part of that majority! Eyes on the prize, people!

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