Posted on 04/18/2005 5:02:38 PM PDT by RWR8189
"You're like Zell Miller without the crack," Jon Stewart once told Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson. Lately, though, it looks like Nelson may be taking hits from the pipe.
Nelson, the Senate's most conservative Democrat, is drafting legislation to give bipartisan cover to Bill Frist's plan to outlaw the filibuster of judicial nominees, known as the "nuclear option." Nelson's proposal would bar the use of the filibuster and allow any Senator to call an up-or-down floor vote on any judicial nominee, even if the Senate Judiciary Committee blocks the nomination.
Essentially, Nelson is doing Frist's controversial bidding for him, at a time when conservative opposition to Frist's plan is rising--from a host of GOP moderates and from two influential right-wing groups, Gun Owners of America and the National Right to Work Committee. "When Bill Clinton was president, we, effectively, in the Judiciary Committee blocked a number of his nominees," John McCain told MSNBC. "I say to my conservative friends, some day there will be a liberal Democrat president and a liberal Democrat Congress." However, the support of one or two more centrist Democrats could resuscitate Frist's plan at the very moment it is dying.
Nelson argues that his party's well-organized resistance to the nuclear option puts red state Democrats in a tough spot. But there's a different between trying to reach consensus and giving the GOP whatever it wants. Just ask North Dakota's Kent Conrad, who recently said of the filibuster: "when judges are way outside of the mainstream, I'm willing to do it." If the president wants bipartisanship, says South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson, he could start by consulting with Democrats on his selections. Further undermining Nelson's rationale is the example of Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, a state where Bush beat John Kerry by 27 points, who has emerged as one of the most effective critics of this Administration.
If Nelson has his way, Republicans may soon control the entire judiciary. Already Republican appointees hold a majority on 10 of the nation's 13 federal appeals courts. Three more lifetime appointments would give Republicans an advantage on every appeals court except the ninth circuit in California.
In that case, Nelson, nicknamed "Nellie" by President Bush, may earn a new moniker. We suggest Nellienquent.
They shot his plane down.
And yet, the courts routinely rule in ways that support Democrat positions and undermine Republican positions.
Doesn't that put the lie to the claim that it's dangerous to put Republican appointees on the courts?
Like Nellie Fox?
That is true in Vietnam,but not the one here in USA. I seem to remember that he crashed in the water in Gulf of Mexico? He went against his training for when these underwater escapes have to be accomplished and tore up the plane to get out instead of the simple (non destructive of Airplanes) way he was taught. He seemed to be a renegade type,and that can get you killed. B-1 Bob Dornan crashed twice also,but he is not what I call a renegade. Others may disagree.
Bush wont ask for Nelson's vote unless he needs it. If there are enough Republican votes, Nelson won't be asked to give "cover" to Frist
Senators Allen and Coburn at the OK Convention asked everyone to start using the words Constitutional Option and lose the "nuclear" option. They were both emphatic that this will come about shortly and the judges will be confirmed.
Actually, IIRC, he was sitting in a plane on a carrier when another accidently dropped his payload on deck, and McCains plane was one that got whacked.
IMHO, this is an incredibly stupid statement, which fails to recognize the fact that the MSM has run interference for the liberal wing of the Democrat Party for decades. The libs are losing their "cover" as the MSM continues its determined march toward irrelevance.
IIRC, the first one was during training in Corpus Christy Bay, the second one was onto the deck of a carrier, and the third was into Hanoi Bay.
Show some leadership, Senator, and do what is right for the country. You will be shown to be demonstrably right, and that won't happen for at least a generation. Sacrifice some of your popularity with the media for your country!
True, but Nebraska feels they have to elect one Democrat to congress so the minority has representation. They are kind of funny that way.
Since Nebraska has to have at least one Democrat in congress, wouldn't you rather it be a senator like Ben Nelson or Jim Exxon rather than one like Bob Kerrey?
excellent synopsis.
Awhile back there was a rumor that Nelson wouldn't be challenged for his seat. I have forgotton the specifics of the deal but I believe it concerned switching parties as his election drew near in return for keeping his seat in Congress. At very least bi-partisan cooperation in exchange.
So many rumors it is difficult to sort out Truth from fiction. If Nelson does support us on judges and proves a decisive vote I would say the rumors were true and his seat is "safe" from challenge from the GOP. To make doubly sure of that in an atmosphere where people are voting more partisan, I would suspect it likely he'd switch parties.
I'll say this, if this is more than panic'd thought on the part of the Dems I'd vote for him if in the state no matter if he had a "D" by his name. Few issues I'll do a crossover vote on any longer, but this would take courage that should be rewarded. Just as I hope to see Hagel, Chafee and later McCain booted out.
Third was into Truc Bach Lake.
It's also a stupid statement because if the Democrats had the Senate & Presidency and the Republicans tried to Filibuster a judge they would use the "Nuclear" option day #1
". I have NEVER heard the story of how he got that reputation. Do you know?"
He crashed his plane on one of his only missions. I recall he never faced enemy fire but not sure about that. His daddy was an Admiral and the commies knew it. It is rumored (only) that he received some special treatment. A couple of his contemporaries have not been kind in their comments.
In any event, he is a raging head case, not to be trusted.
Weird as this may sound, everyone knows about McCain serving in Vietnam, Senator Hagel, whose politics has also often infuriated conservatives, and also served in Vietnam, can actually lay claim to being a war hero.
Hagel, helped saved his brothers life by pulling him out of a fire, while he (not chuck, his brother) was on fire, and being shot at. Hagel also has other decoratations, which he never mentions.
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