Posted on 12/30/2009 7:28:52 PM PST by freespirited
Senator Ben Nelson took to the airwaves in his home state on Wednesday, trying to defend his decisive 60th vote in favor of broad health care legislation.
In the days since,Nelson has faced scathing political cartoons, busy phone lines and criticism of his position, even from some former supporters.
To explain his vote, he appeared in an advertisement scheduled to be broadcast statewide on Wednesday evening during the one occasion when most Nebraskans were certain to be found before a television — the Holiday Bowl, in which the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers faced the Arizona Wildcats.
“With all the distortions about health care reform, I want you to hear directly from me,” Mr. Nelson says in the ad... In the 30-second spot, Mr. Nelson goes on to describe the legislation as “a common sense approach” that will lower costs for families and small businesses, protect Medicare, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, reduce the deficit and, he adds with emphasis, “It’s not run by the government.”
Nelson, a former governor and second-term senator who won re-election in 2006 with 64 percent of the vote, has long had a conservative voting record that left many in this conservative state saying they liked their down-to-earth, amiable senator, whatever his party. But with his vote on health care, some critics now said they were painfully aware of something that had been true all along: He is the only Democrat currently holding statewide office in Nebraska.
“Nebraska is in a huge revolt over this,” said Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, whose group has repeatedly endorsed Nelson. views. “My personal feeling is that he completely underestimated the level of opposition to the overall bill among Nebraskans, and it just whacked him on the side of the head.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
YOU LIE!!
He has no choice but to defend his vote.
He also has no choice but to suffer the consequneces for making said vote. Man up, Bill, no excuses required. We all know the deal; your a pathetic loser who could not find the right side of doing what is right from the left side of doing what is wrong. Kkthx, idiot.
Err, not “Bill,” but Ben. =.=
Odd how taxpayer supported abortion is now ok?
Ain’t gonna work. He thinks we’re morons as do the rest of the arrogant, in-your-face slimes in Congress.
We The People ain’t buying any of their BS. Nelson can shove his excuses up his RAT rear.
Mr. Nelson, politically speaking, you’re a dead man walking.
You can make all of the excuses you want, you can twist and spin all that you want, but it’s over for you... you’re done. If not before, in 2012 you’re out of a job.
I hope Ben Nelson is FINALLY Toast !
I e-mailed his office and explained I was booking every bit of extra work I can this summer in my contracting job so I can dedicate it to making sure he is not re-elected.
And I’m sure he’s spending his own money running those ads.
When Nebraskans start gathering outside of Nelsons offices with buckets of hot tar and bags of feathers maybe his dumb ass will get the message.
Keep talking Ben!
My faxed response to Ben Nelson after his treachery:
December 21, 2009
“Senator” Ben Nelson,
You are not worthy of the title. Common thieves follow a higher code of honor than you, Harry Reid, or that cabal of Democrats whom habitually disfigure wisdom and malign prudence to preserve their power. History recalls a word for such individuals: tyrants.
For 30 pieces of silver tossed by a scheming Stromboli, you betrayed your oath of office. To flatter pompous egos, your cohorts spat upon America, and foisted rude demagogues against her people, disgracefully defaming her desirable example as archaic or shameful. Now, with glib exhortations you parade your treachery a necessity of change, as though treason were a meritorious service—Machiavelli would envy your deceitful craft.
Mr. Nelson, for the approval of cynics, whose self-serving lectures are not worth the air they expel to so terribly fowl the public domain, you have willingly set America on a course anathema to that well-conceived plan of limited government and ordered liberty, established by men whose wisdom you and your self-absorbed fellows possess not the humility nor the intelligence to imitate, yet incredulously you view with contempt.
Petty impotent rustic! How dare you insult Americans in such manner! Have you not the good sense to be ashamed? You betray your constituents and the considered interests of the American people; and yet, with the temerity of a peacock, you strut exclaiming your perfidy a thoughtful endeavor for their benefit. Liar! If that to which you have consented were towards our interests, then why did you find it palpable only at the price of tribute? Mr. Nelson, was selling the American people into socialism worth the tainted accolades of your fellow hypocrites? The people of McCook may adorn their regional airport with your name, but the moniker assigned you by their posterity will be that of “old fool.”
However, sir, more infamous than an old fool, you will be branded a lying poltroon, a man unworthy of trust, for you have handed America over to despots. Your bribe has bought our bondage. You have forged us the fetters of enslavement to those who prefer oligarchy to representative government. Benedict Arnold will fare better than yourself.
Mr. Nelson, suffer my intelligence no further insult with your pretense to conservatism. Claim not that ideal, nor call yourself ever my countryman; but rather, fasten a red bolt of cloth round about your sleeve, and emblazoned with the hammer and sickle of Socialism. For you are more in company with Karl Marx than with Madison, Jefferson or Hamilton. Moreover, sir, spare Nebraska the continued indignity of your acquaintance; for you have obstinately attacked the Constitution, and have made gross mockery of its noble precepts. Damn your arrogant treachery, Mr. Nelson; for your conceit sows the seeds of civil war! When the configuration erupts, I pray those traitors who have brought forth such evil, and with whom you happily break bread, will trouble this land no more. In the interim, I promise to do all within my power, so to affect such action that neither you nor any of your infamous cohorts shall ever again hold a position of trust or power.
With bitter disgust,
Senator doing what senators do best.
Heh, heh, heh!
I will enjoy his rapid transition to TOAST!
I was listening to Nebraska AM radio broadcasts, and they were universally NOT happy about his vote, and they seemed to be going on about it for quite some time. I’d be surprised if he was still in office after his next election.
What would Nebraskans expect he is a donkey and will vote with his party no matter what his constitutes say in Nebraska...elect a conservative Republican, Nebraskans...
He sold his vote in order to get a total of a $45 million break on Medicare over 10 years - not $450 Million total, just $45 million ...
With 1.8 million people in Nebraska, it comes out to $25 per person over the term - or $2.50 per person savings a year ...
What he DID NOT mention to his constituents is that their OTHER taxes will rise drastically more than $25 per person over the same 10-year term ...
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