This is a brilliant move...IF Nelson accepts the post. Does Nebraska have a GOP governor (I assume they do). The GOP could just appoint a Pubbie Senator in Nelson's spot. Watch them whine and cry about it, but notice how not a peep was made when Zell Miller was installed in Georgia.
Yes, Johanns is GOP.
Yep, Mike Johanns, who seems to be eager to challenge Nelson in 2006.
I think this would be great if- Nelson does switch and when Chuckie Hagel is up for reelection.. the GOP contender could run against him and take it from that idiot.
It may take 56 historically to demand a two seat advantage on committees...that would explain the need to flip a chair.
They could put Osborne in Nelsons seat and lock it up until Osborne retires or dies, Nebraskans never will forget or vote against the legend.
If part of the deal is that Nelson switch parties right before leaving for Sec of Ag, then the Dems would have no place to whine. He would be leaving as a Republican, so he would be replaced with a Republican.