WP: Centrist Democrat a Test of GOP Hold

[Pirate Smile]

Centrist Democrat a Test of GOP Hold
Nebraska's Nelson Could Help Thwart Drive to Build Filibuster-Proof Senate

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 5, 2005; Page A05

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Republican hopes of expanding the party's Senate majority begin in Nebraska, where first-term Democrat Ben Nelson is bidding for reelection in a state President Bush won by a landslide.

But Nelson, a leader in putting together last month's bipartisan pact on judicial nominees, is proving that red-state Democrats can still win fans by sticking to the political center and acting as can-do problem solvers who put pragmatism above party.

Already known for breaking with his party's leaders by backing Bush's tax cuts and considering the administration's Social Security proposals, Nelson thrust himself into the center of the effort to avert a Senate meltdown over judges. Last week, he proudly told Nebraskans that he wants Congress to stay focused on highway construction, retirement security and other issues they care about. One detail Nelson routinely omitted did not surprise those who watch him closely.

"Nelson will never say he's a Democrat," said University of Nebraska political scientist John Hibbing. It's a smart strategy, he said, in a state where registered Republicans heavily outnumber Democrats but voters embrace an independent spirit reflected in their one-of-a-kind nonpartisan, unicameral legislature.


Sen. Ben Nelson, left, is one of 18 Democrats whose seats are on the line next year. Republicans are defending 15.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/04/AR2005060401146.html

[napi21]

1. I would prefer a strong Dem, but if that's the way to keep a Senate

seat in a Pub stronghold, I'll take it! You have to remember that his seat will count as a Dem when we gain control of the Senate in 2006! If he changes, and some Pub beats him, we have nothing!

[kiraboo]

2. I suppose you are right. I tend to be a tad distrustful of those

who claim to be "centrist". But if we can add to the ranks of Democrats, then I'll take a centrist over a rightist.

[Pirate Smile]

3. Right. We need his vote for Reid as Majority Leader. Whatever people

say about the moderate Republicans - Chafee, Snowe, Collins, Specter - they are a vote for Frist, a vote against any investigations, and generally a rubber stamp for Bush.

edit to delete an extra f in Chafee.

[Teaser]

4. This is fine

as long as the moderates don't outnumber the fighting Dems. Moderates serve a purpose... but they can't dictate the direction of the party.

[usregimechange]

5. We need him, that is what red state Dems have to do, sad but true

[usregimechange]

6. Ha! We all just said the same thing!

[Pirate Smile]

7. I love it when we sound reasonable because sometimes I don't

think we do :silly:

[cornermouse]

8. If he continues to facilitate Bush's policies, how centrist

or even democratic is he?

[fasttense]

9. And if all else fails, they can always rig the election, again. n/t

[depakid]

10. More biased BS from the Post

This paper has become as bad as Pravda was during the Soviet era- maybe a little more subtle, but not an ounce less pernicious

"Democrats can still win fans by sticking to the political center and acting as can-do problem solvers who put pragmatism above party."

That STUPID attitude- that the Post CONSTANTLY trieds to reinforce AGAINST the Dems is EXACTLY why they lose. Do they ever say that about Republicans?

NEVER.

"a leader in putting together last month's bipartisan pact on judicial nominees"

In other words A SELL OUT whose actions caused three of the most extreme ar right judges in modern US history to get lifetime appointments on the federal bench.

Part of me hopes he does lose. With friends like that, who needs enemies....