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27 Feb 2012 15:20

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Politics: Reports: In boon to Democrats, Bob Kerrey will seek old Senate seat after all

  • Bob’s Back: After previously saying he’d sit 2012 out, it looks like former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey will run for his old Nebraska Senate seat after all (it’s currently held by Democrat Ben Nelson, who’s retiring). Kerrey’s decision to run is significant, as Republicans would almost certainly take the seat if he opted out, due to a rather weak Democratic bench in the Cornhusker State. However, Kerrey is generally regarded as a strong candidate, and his candidacy is perhaps Democrats’ best shot at retaining control of the seat . In an election year when Democrats have to defend 23 Senate seats, versus only 10 for Republicans, every little bit counts. [Author’s note: Apologies for using the word “seat” so many times in this article]. source

27 Dec 2011 15:06

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Politics: Democratic Senator Ben Nelson to retire in 2012

  • NO Senator Ben Nelson won’t seek re-election in 2012 source
  • » Bye bye, Ben: Bowing out from what was expected to be a heavily-contested race in Nebraska, Democrat Ben Nelson has decided to retire from his seat in 2012, a move likely to disappoint those concerned with the Democratic Party’s ability to maintain control of the Senate. Nelson was one of the most rightward leaning members of the Democratic Senate (perhaps less so than Joe Manchin), having supported the Bush tax cuts and railing against the health care reform law as a “government takeover” before ultimately supporting it, with some big conditions: recall that infamous “cornhusker kickback?” Yeah, that was him.

12 Jul 2010 22:46

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Politics: Just like health care, Ben Nelson is holding up financial reform

  • 56 number of Democratic senators who will vote for the final financial reform bill for sure
  • three number of Republican senators who will probably vote for the bill (including Scott Brown)
  • one number of Democrats named Ben Nelson who (once again) will make things tough source

20 Dec 2009 10:40

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Politics: Fox News’ angle on Ben Nelson: He sold his vote for his state!

  • Do the twist! Saying that the abortion concessions weren’t enough, Fox News claims that Nelson sold his vote for health care to win kickbacks. “It’s pretty obvious votes have been bought,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia said. Nelson did get Reid to agree to help pick up his state’s future Medicaid tab, at a cost of $45 million. Most other states will get their tab picked up, but only over a short period.
  • Fair & balanced Politico covers the issue differently – they note it’s the kind of concessionary agreement made with legislation like this. Nelson’s fellow Democratic Nebraska senator, Tom Harkin, makes a good point: “… it is going to be the impetus for all the states to stay at 100 percent. So he might have done all of us a favor.” That’s right, the Feds might pay the balance of Medicaid for everyone eventually.

19 Dec 2009 10:07

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19 Dec 2009 09:54

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U.S.: Ben Nelson’s on board: Health Care’s close to 60 votes, guys.

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  • He must have had a change of heart after being snowed in with Harry Reid. D.C. has a huge snowstorm on its hands right now, but if everyone could leave their homes and go out and stuff, this would be the huge story. Reid worked hard to make the bill something Nelson could support, so now he’s on board. Next up: Working on Olympia Snowe. Hopefully she’s in D.C., ’cause she’ll feel right at home right now. (Update: No, she’s not on board. Did they really rest their hopes on Lieberman?) source

13 Dec 2009 23:41

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Politics: Max Headroom: Not even Barbara Walters can soft-pedal Glenn Beck

  • The Odd Couple Here’s that Alan Greenspan video we mentioned earlier. Our boy Al says a lot of smart stuff here, but the part that weirds us out is the fact that his sparring partner is crazy financial guy Jim Cramer. Great match, guys.


  • The Moderate Couple
    On “Face the Nation,” Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson were standing their ground for a health care option which gets rid of all the stuff that makes the health care bill desirable. These two guys are holding the bill back, liberal types.


  • The Vapid Couple
    Barbara Walters’ “10 Most Fascinating People” must’ve hit the bottom of the barrel this year, because Glenn Beck was on the list. Here’s the interview, and we must warn you: Glenn Beck still sounds like an idiot when he’s talking to Barbara Walters.