Posted on 11/04/2011 11:41:06 AM PDT by freespirited
All the pieces are in place for a re-election bid, but Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson is wavering on whether he'll seek a third term in 2012 or retire _ a decision that could have a big effect on Democrats' chances of holding their Senate majority.
Nelson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he'll make a decision over the holiday season. In the meantime, he's piled up campaign cash, hired a campaign manager and watched his party spend more than $1 million on ads supporting him.
But Nelson, a conservative Democrat, has told friends and supporters he's not a lock for another run and has expressed frustration with the inability of a divided Congress to pass meaningful legislation.
"He's alluded to a lot of frustration back in Washington," said former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, a Nelson supporter. "There's a lot of frustration with him and independent-minded senators about the ability to get things done."
Fahey said he expected Nelson's happiness on the job, as well as family concerns, to factor heavily in his decision.
Nelson's decision will have important consequences for Democratic hopes of maintaining control of the Senate. Republicans need to net four seats in 2012 to take back the upper chamber.
Republicans see his seat as a pickup opportunity either way: They believe the state has tilted further to the right in recent years and think Nelson's vote for President Barack Obama's signature health care legislation will weigh him down.
(Excerpt) Read more at newser.com ...
Nelson has been getting kicked around since his tarp and obammycare votes as well he should,
I hope he runs and gets his ass whooped handily and has a real poor time even campaigning, what with loads of folks at his events ridiculing his sorry ass.
“All the pieces are in place for a re-election bid”
Ha! He’s deluding himself if he thinks he’s going to re-elected. Remember that woman in the Italian restaurant?? “Get him the hell out of here!” He’s toast.
Disagree. Easier to defeat him than almost anyone else the Dems put up. His defense of the Cornhusker Kickback was apalling. I will empty my tiny coffers to defeat this man.
If Tom Osborne could be lured away from being AD at nebraska, I think he’d be a very formidable candidate.
But he spent time in DC while a member of the House and maybe he’s just not interested in going back.
Hmm keep what cash he has or run n have to work hard? Y’all let me know how that works out. Essentially, that’s Obamas question. Rake in campaign cash from morons to sustain the lavish life, or spend money and work.
“conservative democrat”? No such animal. What a liar that reporter is.
[But Nelson, a conservative Democrat,]
Lol. Is there any such thing?
Control of the Senate is NOT in doubt next year. GOP takes over..just a question of by how many seats. And that’s the real reason why Nelson won’t run. He might think he has a chance to fool the voters one more time, and he might get lucky, but why go through a tough campaing onlyh to win a seat in the MINORITY...Far better to get out now
His vote on the 0bamacare law should be a millstone around his neck.
Just curious to hear you’re reasoning on why the GOP will take the Senate next year. That would be awesome, don’t get me wrong, but why does it seem to be the safe bet right now?
There might be, but I have yet to learn of one.
On second thought, maybe Zell Miller qualifies.
Intrade folks have GOP chances of taking the Senate at 73%.
Unfortunately they also predict Romney will be the GOP nominee—he’s at around 70.
Boy, wouldn’t that be a landslide election?
Hope he at least considers it.
Meanwhile old Ben would probably enjoy being able to go out for dinner once in a while without getting booed...
No more of this 'gentlemen' stuff.
Thank you both. Btw I don’t think Romney will be the nominee we’re looking at Cain or Gingrich imho.
About the only chance the Dems have is Brown in Mass..and he's still popular there, though NOT on FR (g)Warren is an awful candidate...she'll make them miss Martha Coakley. We hold that seat..and aren't really in trouble anywheres else.
Nelson in NE will retire. Nelson in FL is going down..believe me...especially so with Obama atop the ticket. McCaskill in MO, Tester in MON..both are in trouble..N. Dakota is a lock... that's why Conrad quit. We have great pick-up chances in Ohio, and Wisconis, and there are another 4-5 states, where, in a surge election, we could pick up a few more.
The odds are BETTER that the GOP gets to 60 seats than that the Dems hold the Senate.
I think we end up with 55-57..and if you really wanna get excited..look at the list of Dems up in 2014..another 23. WE end up after 2014 with a conservative president, a GOP controlled House, and a filibuster proof GOP senate of 63 seats..
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