Posted on 10/13/2011 12:23:20 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
WASHINGTON — A new series of political advertisements on behalf of an embattled Nebraska senator could open the door to a flood of similar ads financed by outside groups and even businesses working directly with political candidates — a sharp departure from past practice.
The ads are innocuous enough on their face: Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat up for re-election next year, is featured on television and radio commercials discussing Social Security, the national debt, war veterans and other hot-button issues. What is remarkable, campaign finance lawyers and political operatives say, is that the ads were produced and paid for by Democratic Party officials in Nebraska and Washington — with the senator’s close involvement as their star.
Federal campaign rules restrict politicians from “coordinating” their advertisements with outside groups except under certain circumstances. Politicians — worried about tripping over the legal restrictions — have usually shied away from working directly with outside groups on ads. Instead, “issue” ads paid for by outside groups will typically hit on broad themes without focusing so squarely on a single lawmaker.
The Nebraska ads, which have cost Democrats more than $600,000 to run so far, could change that practice in a way that has wide implications for the 2012 elections, when 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
In one ad, the senator stares straight at the camera and portrays himself as a Washington outsider — different from Beltway politicians who “don’t get it” and value politics over all else.
Ben Nelson is certainly power hungry. The old sell-out coot has been in the US Senate too long. I will dance on the Moon (figuratively) if he's defeated.
All of the corrupt, deal-making, fossil incumbents must be defeated and replaced with Tea Party patriots!
What a crock, huh?
I didn’t link to the NYT to read the rest of the article.
The Democrats are totally desperate.
Yes, indeed, and with good reason.
LOL. The photos of Ben, look like mug shots!
(Fingers crossed)....lol.
“I’m not a Washington insider,I just take millions tax payers money to sell my vote”
Oh,OK....your for me
Hopefully the good folks of Nebraska get their act together and rid them and us of this maggot Ben Nelson.
Remember folks he voted for every one of obammys liberal big gub mint deals.
This is great news I hope the DNC and all the other democRAp national groups spend millions helping Nelson, McCaskill etc. etc. because they are toast and everyone know that 13% approval numbers are set in stone. Let them waste the money, let them pile up the debt. The turnover in Congress is going to be very large. I can’t wait to see my republican congressman sent home by a Tea Party guy that has better ideas.
Benedict Nelson and his Cornhusker Compromise. Sold his vote on DeathCare for 30 pieces of silver. He and Fat Mary belong in the Hooker’s Hall of Shame.
I hope so two...he WAS really loved around here...hell I voted for him once (long time ago) He still has a lot of friends...and the repubs don’t have a decent canidate...these ads are kinda funny..in one he says “that deal even stinks in washington” a good repub ad would turn those words on him and his selling out for obamacare.
I remember reports that after he voted for the porkulus stimuli he went to a restaurant and was soundly booed out of the place. Said he feared for his safety. I kind of like that part.
Hope folks there still feel that way???
Most of the people I know are ready, willing, and able to march to the polls and vote him out. We can’t wait until next November.
Majority of voters have short memories unfortunately. Nelson brings in the $$$$ and “Obamacare” is not being felt yet (2014) by the general population. Dems disingenuous design of their health care policy was formulated to ensure the 2012 election will be salvaged. So far their plan is not working 100%, but we will see in 2012.
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