Ben Nelson endorsement coming soon?

[jackson_dem]

While Mr. Obama trails Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in endorsements by their Senate colleagues, a half dozen or so Democrats were seen as likely candidates to lend public support to the Obama campaign in the coming days.

“There have been some conversations, I can say that,” said Senator Ben Nelson, the moderate Nebraska Democrat. Mr. Nelson, who invited Mr. Obama to campaign for him in 2006, said he has not yet pulled the trigger on an endorsement but that he was more inclined to consider one now since two Senate Democrats — Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut — had dropped out.

“When there were four of your colleagues, it certainly made it virtually impossible to do so,” Mr. Nelson said earlier this week. “You get to two and it is just a little bit easier.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/us/politics/10cnd-campaign.html?ex=1357707600&en=a18d35b18eefffd6&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[frogmarch]

1. Oh, WOW!

I'm sure Obama is salivating at the prospect of an endorsement from my state's DINO senator, Ben Nelson.

[Renew Deal]

20. There's two ways to look at it.

The positive view, and the negative view. The positive view is that Nelson is the highest ranking Democrat in the state, and that can help organizationally.

The negative is he's truly a DINO.

Still, it's always great to be endorsed by a senator.

[TheDebbieDee]

2. Sen. Ben Nelson? Isn't he a DINO?

Doesn't he usually wind up voting with Feinstein and Landrieu?

[Texas_Kat]

6. oh yeah, Ben Nelson

can Zell be far behind.

A new brand of Democratic politics alright -- Republicanism. I guess Obama's decided if you can't beat 'em join em.

[RoadRage]

32. C'mon.. he's from Nebraska..

It's where I live. There are no Democrats.. there are Republicans, and Republican Lights. The Republican Lights wear light blue ties. ;)

I have an Obama sign in my yard (why - I have no idea.. our primary is in friggin MAY).. and every day.. i'm just waiting for a rock or a bible to get thrown through my window.

[Texas_Kat]

35. Well, sorry...

In Texas, you sometimes get FIRED for being a Democrat. I'd settle for a rock through the window. There are still Democrats here, but ya gotta be willing to take the consequences.

It's why the Obama Kumbaya 'bipartisanship' talk is just plain silly. If you think the Repubs are singing "Why can't we all just get along", what you'll find is they're actually mumbling "Kill.All.Commie.Pinko.Democrats" in time to the music.

[jackson_dem]

36. None of the Republican candidates are talking about singing kumbaya with Democrats

You are right. Obama is the only one who wants to do this and he will get punched in the face by the Republicans when he extends his hand of friendship just like Reid and Pelosi were.

[cali]

3. And?

Are you insinuating that if Obama gets endorsed by Nelson it indicates that he's really the DLC candidate? Because I hate to tell you this, but Ned Lamont is definitely not some DLCer and I've heard that both my Senators are going to endorse Obama. It'll be really funny to see people trying to claim that Pat Leahy and Bernie Sanders are pro-corporate DLC dems.

[Inuca]

31. A Leahy endorsment would be great

I hope you are right on this.

[cboy4]

4. If Obama is "lucky" enough to get the endorsement of that

piece of shit Ben Nelson, the worst "Democrat" in the Senate, and far worse than some Republicans, maybe Zell Miller and Joe Lie-berman are within sight!! :bounce:

[FrenchieCat]

5. Lieberman has already endorsed John Bomb Bomb Bomb McCain

This just shows the wide expanse of Obama's support......

From Barbara Lee to Ned Lamont to John Kerry to Ben Nelson and whatever falls in between.

It's the difference between running someone everyone loves to love
versus
running someone everyone loves to hate. I'll go for the love.

I don't hate Republicans or Independents.....and if Obama can help them see the light through the tunnel, than he is already effective.

[cboy4]

8. As opposed to Ben "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Nelson and

Zell "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Miller?

LOL

[cali]

11. Funny. When he was in the Senate

Edwards was John "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Edwards.

[cboy4]

17. Yes, but so were plenty of Democrats.

Virtually no other senator votes with the Republics as much as Ben "Piece of Shit" Nelson.

He's despicable.

[Hippo_Tron]

19. Ben Nelson at least keeps his mouth shut

His voting record is horrible, but beyond his votes he doesn't actively hinder the agenda of the Democratic Party. Can't say the same for Lieberman and Miller.

[cboy4]

22. It doesn't matter if he keeps his mouth shut or not.

He's a destructive member of the Democratic Party by virtue of his voting record.

I'm sure you've heard of the expression "actions speak louder than words."

He just deserves zero respect.

[Hippo_Tron]

26. That expression does not apply in this case

Lieberman's words undermine the position of the Democratic Party because he's a "Democrat" that strengthens the GOP's position on the war. Nelson's vote is just one that we need to make up for elsewhere. That is the only damage that he does.

[cboy4]

28. My my my....."the only damage that he does" huh?

Unreal.

[cali]

9. Didn't answer my question

When Bernie endorses him what are you going to say about Bernie? That he's not really a progressive populist? And Ned Lamont, what do you have to say about him? What's becoming clear is that people across the spectrum are supporting Obama.

[cboy4]

13. I'm not insinuating that Obama is the "DLC" candidate

no matter who endorses him.

I'm saying that I would throw up just as much if my candidate received the endorsement of Ben "DINO" Nelson....whom I loathe more than some registered Republic Senators.

[1corona4u]

7. When is Jesus endorsing Obama?

Will it be soon?

[FrenchieCat]

12. No.....

But Nelson Mandela could! :)

[jackson_dem]

16. good one!

:rofl:

[Kucinich4America]

14. Jesus is voting for Kucinich.

If you want to know why, read the Sermon on the Mount.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Oh boy! Benny's blessing is KEY to any successful Presidential run.

:eyes:

on edit--Thanks, Ben! Sincerely.

[Texas_Kat]

15. Along with Fred Kagan and Billy Kristol

Nelson makes a matched set.

[FrenchieCat]

18. Can I get some links for this statement of yours, linking Obama to NeoCons?

I mean where Obama's speaks from his mouth as to what his policies are in reference to power....and if you could please outline how they are different from Hillary, whom you support, and how what she believes make her more of a dove?

I realize that we have been on the same team in the past, but I also believe that when one speaks, one needs to back it up. Please provide the beef and not the innuendos and various degrees of guilt by association.

As you well know, I have had to defend Wes Clark from too many accusations much more detailed than this one sentence of yours.....starting with SOA, to DU to ....well, you know what I mean.

I'll be waiting, Texas Kat.

Thanks a lot. :hi:

[jackson_dem]

23. Kagan

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4028721&mesg_id=4028721

[TwilightGardener]

21. Naw, Ben's not a neocon. He's just a Nebraska-style Democrat.

Pretty much known as a liberal Republican anywhere else. But he's OK sometimes. I'm pretty hard on him, but he does some good work.

[cboy4]

24. "Nebraska-style Democrat."

Translation: Right wing conservative.

What kind of good work does he do exactly?

Nelson's votes in the Senate have often placed him at odds with the leadership of his party. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has said that Nelson is probably the most conservative Democrat in the Senate. This perception is supported by a National Journal congressional vote rating from 2006, which placed Nelson to the right of five Senate Republicans (Gordon Smith, Olympia Snowe, Arlen Specter, Susan Collins, and Lincoln Chafee). Mary Landrieu was the only other Democrat to place to the right of any Republicans (she placed to the right of Chafee). <6> A similar 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating went even further, placing him to the right of eight Senate Republicans (the above five as well as Richard Lugar, Norm Coleman, and Mike DeWine), with Landrieu once again placing to the right of Chafee and being the only other Democrat to place to the right of any Republicans.<26>

Nelson was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Nelson is strongly opposed to replacing the income tax with a national sales tax, a position that finds favor with increasingly many conservatives. He has voted with Republicans on matters of bankruptcy reform, environmental protection, lawsuit reform, and trade. In 2004 he was one of only three Democratic senators to vote to invoke cloture on the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment; in 2006 he was one of only two Democratic Senators to vote that way.<27> He was the only Democratic senator to vote against a 2006 bill that would have extended federal funding for Stem Cell Research. He has, however, voted consistently against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He has also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. <7>. Early in Bush's first term he voted with the majority of his party against scrapping President Clinton's expansive new rules on ergonomics regulation for workers; many of his fellow conservative Democrats like John Breaux, Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln, and Zell Miller voted with Republicans on the issue.

On July 12, 2007, Nelson broke with his party in a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee, restoring funding to Vice President Dick Cheney's office.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Nelson

[TwilightGardener]

27. He votes with us on most of the big issues, like the war. He votes with

Repubs on social issues (guns, abortion, stem cell issues). That's how you get re-elected in Nebraska--it's a political reality here. Bob Kerrey was more liberal, but he left the Senate in the 90's, before Nebraska was as blood-red as it is now. He was going to come back and try to run for Hagel's seat, but he's too liberal now for Nebraska. Hagel himself is perceived as too liberal for Nebraska, if that gives you an idea of how far right this state has drifted. Nelson walks a fine line, and he often pisses me off (and I don't think he's the most ethical, either)--but he's far from the worst Senator.

[cboy4]

29. Well it may be a political reality, but that doesn't change

his well known and well deserved DINO status.

And I argued he is worse than many other Republican Senators.

I agree he's far from the worse out of 100.

But that's not saying much.

[FrenchieCat]

25. I'm still waiting......Texas Kat

For your information.

Hope it is better than that Kagan stuff. Kagan cites quotes only parts of Obama's speech in order to make it sound more than what it is. Kagan knows what he's doing. He knows that Obama is running in a Democratic primary. I'm Clark Smear trained. I'm not stupid.

Plus, Obama sounds very much like Wes (even if Wes decided to go with his Arkansas roots), especially the Peace Corp and the rebuilding of the broken down military!

"There is more to building democracy than "deposing a dictator and setting up a ballot box." We must build societies with "a strong legislature, an independent judiciary, the rule of law, a vibrant civil society, a free press, and an honest police force." We must build up "the capacity of the world's weakest states" and provide them "what they need to reduce poverty, build healthy and educated communities, develop markets, . . . generate wealth . . . fight terrorism . . . halt the proliferation of deadly weapons" and fight disease.
<>
"We cannot hope to shape a world where opportunity outweighs danger unless we ensure that every child, everywhere, is taught to build and not to destroy." The "security of the American people is inextricably linked to the security of all people." Realists, call your doctors."



"

[Texas_Kat]

34. Frenchie, I'm convinced that he's spoken with WKC

and took notes. I acknowledge that he 'briefs' well.

BUT, I'm also convinced that he lacks the fundamental understanding of what WKC was attempting to explain to him re, national security and international relations.

Like a brilliant student who "tests well' and can recite the answers to questions but has no real frame of reference. IMHO, given some personal experience in international diplomacy, he could be an amazing force in the world, but until then, I believe he is too easy to manipulate.

JFK and McNamara had some of the same dynamic going.

[ToeBot]

30. So who's it going to be, Huckabee, Giuliani or Romney? nt

[RoadRage]

33. I'm thinking Huck...

He DOES have some form of personality.. that attracts the dumb Repugs. And, he is a Bible Thumper.. so that attracts dumber ones.. and that right there takes care of 2/3 of the Party!