Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The GOP's Favorite Democrat (Democrat Ben Nelson Helps Bill Frist Go Nuclear)
The Nation ^ | April 18, 2005 | Ari Berman

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.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Nebraska; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: 109th; bennelson; billfirst; bipartisanship; consitutionaloption; filibuster; frist; nelson; nuclearoption; reid; thenation; ussenate
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-48 next last
To: Ann Archy

They shot his plane down.


21 posted on 04/18/2005 5:46:16 PM PDT by rmgatto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
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.

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?

22 posted on 04/18/2005 5:49:23 PM PDT by WillRain ("Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
nicknamed "Nellie"

Like Nellie Fox?

23 posted on 04/18/2005 5:52:17 PM PDT by syriacus (Weird George Felos repeatedly flicked his tongue out his gaping mouth when lying to the press 3/31)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rmgatto

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.


24 posted on 04/18/2005 5:54:18 PM PDT by samantha (relax the grownups are in charge (I think).....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: el_doctor2
"Is it possible to get a conversion out of Nelson?"

I'll say one thing - If Ben supports Bush on judges, and then becomes a Republican, he'll never have to worry about re-election in Nebraska again - and he would be a valid presidential contender.

If he doesn't do both, he may have trouble holding his seat (either in the Primary, or against a Republican).

He may want to give it some thought. Nebraska is VERY red.
25 posted on 04/18/2005 5:55:14 PM PDT by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: All

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


26 posted on 04/18/2005 5:56:04 PM PDT by jimboster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

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.


27 posted on 04/18/2005 5:56:05 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (AOII Mom -- J.C. for Oklahoma Governor -- Run J.C. Run; Allen in 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samantha

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.


28 posted on 04/18/2005 6:03:13 PM PDT by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom
I say to my conservative friends, some day there will be a liberal Democrat president and a liberal Democrat Congress."

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.

29 posted on 04/18/2005 6:06:34 PM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: samantha; Ann Archy
According to the Washington Post, John has crashed 3 planes, and was a "captive" for 5.5 years.

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.

30 posted on 04/18/2005 6:23:50 PM PDT by PeaceBeWithYou (De Oppresso Liber! (50 million and counting in Afganistan and Iraq))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
"I say to my conservative friends, some day there will be a liberal Democrat president and a liberal Democrat Congress." - Senator John McPain

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!

31 posted on 04/18/2005 6:25:48 PM PDT by GenXFreedomFighter (We smirked our way back for a second term!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BobL
Nebraska is VERY red.

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?

32 posted on 04/18/2005 6:28:44 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (crime would drop like a sprung trapdoor if we brought back good old-fashioned hangings)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: xzins

excellent synopsis.


33 posted on 04/18/2005 6:30:37 PM PDT by 537cant be wrong (vampires stole my lunch money but left me with my bus pass. damn!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

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.


34 posted on 04/18/2005 6:36:27 PM PDT by Soul Seeker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vigilanteman
"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?"

I don't know. I'm Texan, I recognize Exxon's name, and that's about it with him.

But I did respect Kerrey as someone who was reasonable most of the time (and I ALWAYS respect someone with a Congressional Medal of Honor - something no doubt his 'cousin' in Massachusetts wishes he could have scammed). There's even talk today about Kerrey running for Mayor of New York - even as a Dem he would be way more conservative than Bloomberg - it's driving people nuts out there. What I'd really love to see is Kerrey run as a Republican (or Democrat) against Hillary - now that would be fun.
35 posted on 04/18/2005 6:39:18 PM PDT by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: PeaceBeWithYou
Addendum

Third was into Truc Bach Lake.

36 posted on 04/18/2005 6:45:33 PM PDT by PeaceBeWithYou (De Oppresso Liber! (50 million and counting in Afganistan and Iraq))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: gov_bean_ counter

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


37 posted on 04/18/2005 7:02:03 PM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Ann Archy

". 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.


38 posted on 04/18/2005 7:23:03 PM PDT by lawdude (Liberalism is a mental disease.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: qam1
"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"

...and this is the key. The days of bipartisanship are OVER, and the Republicans have to get it through their THICK HEADS. The last thing that the Dems are going to do, if they ever get the kind of control that they had in 93-94, is lift a finger to respect the Republicans. And these "bipartisan" Republicans will look like a bunch of IDIOTS.
39 posted on 04/18/2005 7:33:20 PM PDT by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Ann Archy
There are stories of McCain being offered a release, and turning them down, and stories of McCain also turning down special treatment.

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.

40 posted on 04/18/2005 8:12:21 PM PDT by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-48 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson