Sources: Dem approached for agriculture post

[huskerlaw]

Nebraska's Democratic Senator Ben Nelson has been approached by the Bush administration to be the new Agriculture Secretary. Republican Governor Mike Johanns would get to choose Nelson's replacement.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/17/agriculture.secretary/index.html

[salin]

1. DON'T DO IT!

[MrUnderhill]

2. We need some quick damage control.

Lieberman I could see... and I would have hopes to win that seat back.

Nelson may be the only Democrat who can keep that seat in our hands.

I like the guy... and I wonder why he would consider it. If he was willing to switch parties, why wouldn't he have done it when the bribes were high right after the Jeffords switch???

[librechik]

3. NO! we need you in the Senate, Ben! n/t

[fidgeting wildly]

4. Wow! More dirty tricks from Bushco!

:wow: This is so transparent. They are trying to get a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. If the Dems tolerate this, they are truly finished.

[huskerlaw]

5. Yup, I agree...

If this actually happens, we're screwed.

[grumpy old fart]

7. Yep, Clear as crystal....

That that's the strategy....hand out the cabinet goodies to some craven Dems and cook the Senate....Can these Dems really be that stupid????

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. It's not "dems", it's all in Nelson's hands.

It's his decision. We can try to sway him and you bet your ass they are, but there's nothing to "tolerate" or "not tolerate". It's a personal decision and we have nothing to punish him with, so to speak.

[grumpy old fart]

8. Why not just offer knighthoods, royal titles.....?

Chimp king offering his largess to the minions in the Senate in exchange for the ole loyalty oaths. This is pathetic.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. No shit it's pathetic, but that's not the point.

There's nothing we can do to "tolerate" or "not tolerate" it. There's no preventative action we can take aside from trying to make sure we don't have members jumping ship. Even then though, there's no punitive action to take.

[huskerlaw]

11. Unfortunately, you're right

it is up to Nelson...and there's really nothing we can do to stop him. However, that doesn't make us any less hosed if he does accept.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. I know and I agree, but someone implied we should DO something.

As if there's something we can really do besides kiss Nelson's ass and pray for the best.

[grumpy old fart]

17. Actually the DNC

among others, can let these folks know that there won't be $$ flowing their way next election cycle, if they want to get back in party politics. There should be a political price to pay at least.

[Minstrel Boy]

9. One BIG Party for America - that's what the GOP means to be, and what

some Dems are ready to concede.

Anyone think Vilsack's going to do anything to stop it?

I think it's almost time for Americans of good conscience to give up this sham of an opposition party, and start a real one.

[The Blue Knight]

13. I don't think Ben is that stupid. I look for him to decline.

US Senator or a meaningless post at the Agriculture Department?

It's a no-brainer.

[The Stranger]

14. Make the Governor agree to appoint a Democrat and get the White House

to join in on the agreement. Otherwise, no appointment.

[huskerlaw]

15. ahahahahaha, you're funny...

If Johanns was smart (which he's not), he'd appoint the most liberal democrat he could find. One that would have no hope of winning the next election, thereby assuring himself of the seat. However, since we're not dealing with the brain trust here, Johanns would never agree to appoint a democrat.

[recovering democrat]

16. Careful what you wish for...

Georgia DEM governor Roy Barnes appointed ZELL MILLER, a Democrat, to the Senate in July 2000 on the death of REP Sen. Paul Coverdell.
Zell has been trying to "prove himself" to the Republicans ever since.

Hoping Nelson stays where he is!!!!!