Dem Asked to be Ag Secretary

[huskerlaw]

The Bush administration has asked Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson to be the Agriculture Secretary. http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/17/agriculture.secretary/index.html

This raises an interesting dilemma. Obviously, should Nelson accept, his Senate seat opens up. The governor of Nebraska gets to pick his replacement. Our governor, Mike Johanns, is a very conservative Republican. He's also expressed an interest in running for Senate when his term as governor is up (2 years). So who does he appoint? Himself? Or someone he's fairly sure he can beat? Either way, it's bound to be a Republican, which means,of course, one less Democrat in the Senate.

I'm from Nebraska, I campaigned for Ben Nelson in 1996. Not so much because I like him or his politics (about the only thing that makes him a Democrat is the letter behind his name), but because the guy running against him scared me (Don Stenberg of Stenberg v. Carhart fame). Basically, what I'm saying is that losing him in the Senate really doesn't mean losing any votes, and putting him on the cabinet doesn't really mean that there will be at least one voice of reason. However, it does mean that the Republicans will gain yet another seat in the Senate, and it's quite possible Nelson's replacement will be a right-wing nut job. It's a lose-lose situation.

[wicket]

1. He'd be a fool to accept it

I really hope he doesn't.

[huskerlaw]

2. Agreed...

If he cares at all about the Democratic party, he won't accept. However, I'm not confident that he'll be able to turn down the perks of being on the cabinet for the good of the team. This could really, really suck.

[Ducks In A Row]

11. the other rethugs won't let him do any.

it's just a ploy to fuck with the dems

[WyLoochka]

3. NO Dem should be allowed by

the "base" to accept any position in BushCo's regime. We need to call, fax and email the DINOS to inform them that a Dem working for BushCo will not be tolerated.

Let the Repukes wear the entire stinking, rotting, putrid albatross all by themselves.

[huskerlaw]

5. Well, unfortunately,

there's not exactly anything we can do to stop him from accepting. Sure, we can voice our displeasure and the Democrats can strongly urge him not to accept. But ultimately, Nelson is free to do whatever he wants. If he does accept, he's not much going to care what the Democratic party thinks, nor will he have constituents to answer to anymore.

[Skidmore]

8. Wonder what he'll bargain his soul for in exchange for

a *cabinet appointment.

[MaineDem]

4. I think it should be Susan Collins

She's a "moderate Republican" and our Governor is a Dem.

:evilgrin:

[huskerlaw]

6. Does she know anything about

Agriculture? I would think that would be something of a prerequisite. ;) Aside from that, I love your theory.

[MaineDem]

7. She's from potato country

She doesn't know much about being a good Senator but it didn't stop Mainers from re-electing her...sadly.

She doesn't have any experience to be Ag Sec...I was just tossing her name out. Since when has lack of experience stopped the Bushies though?

[huskerlaw]

10. LOL, lack of experience has never

stopped a Bushie. Heck, they don't even require experience after 4 years on the job.

[aprillcm]

9. This is the Bush Republican Way..

To get more control in the Senate there are plenty of great dems out there that no longer hold office or a senate seat that Bush could tap if we was truly interested in a Bi-Partisan Admin. But hes not this is about more Republican control in the Senate and if anyone thinks differently they are delusional.