The craziness of Senator Ben Nelson

Posted on November 22nd, 2009 by ecthompson

I don’t know Senator Ben Nelson. I don’t know if he is a thoughtful man or one of those gut-men who flies by the seat of his pants. It seems to me that it is a little late in the game for Nelson to send Majority Leader Reid an items list of things he wants or does not want in the HealthCare bill.

From Political Animal:

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has a few thoughts about the kind of changes he’d like to see on the health care reform bill. In fact, he has two pages of ideas, which he’s already delivered to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

“There is not a lot of explanation there. These are just items,” Nelson said.

What’s on it? Public option, abortion, and CLASS Act, among other things.

“There will be a lot of discussion back and forth about what might get enough votes,” Nelson said after the vote. “There will have to be fairly significant changes for others as well, not just me…. Nuance will not be enough.”

I haven’t seen the actual list, but at this point, I’m not altogether sure what any of this means. Nelson hasn’t included “a lot of explanation” with his demands? Wouldn’t “a lot of explanation” be helpful under the circumstances?

He isn’t exactly a rookie. If Nelson has some specific ideas about policy improvements, he should, you know, craft legislative language, put together proposed amendments, start seeking co-sponsors, etc. Handing Reid a list of “just items” doesn’t sound especially constructive.

For that matter, it’d be helpful to know if this is a list or a ransom note. Does Nelson intend to join a Republican filibuster if only some of his list is addressed to his satisfaction?

As the process moves forward, keep in mind that Nelson appears to have a hierarchy of concerns in mind. Just a few days ago, the conservative Democrat said he doesn’t like the existing restrictions on abortion funding, but added, “If there’s no public option, perhaps some of the [abortion] problem goes away.”

In other words, Nelson has a list, but his top target is the public option.

Tags: Healthcare, Party Politics // View Comments

  • libhomo
    Ben Nelson is a bought politician. I'm surprised he doesn't have "For Sale" tattooed on his forehead.
  • libhomo
    Ben Nelson is a bought politician.  I'm surprised he doesn't have "For Sale" tattooed on his forehead.
  • David
    I am totally outraged with all Democrat Senators...and Representatives. Ben Nelson and the two lady Senators were not teetering on the fence. Their votes have been bought and paid for by Obama and his porkulous slush fund...the so called stimulus bill.
    We Americans need to vote some of the freshmen Blue Dog Democrats back into office starting in 2010, however; we must vote ALL incumbent Democrats out of office when their term is up for re-election. The Obama Presidency, Democrat Senate and Democrat House are severely out of touch with the American Citizen. We need to clean house and impose term limits for all elected officials.
  • David
    I am totally outraged with all Democrat Senators...and Representatives. Ben Nelson and the two lady Senators were not teetering on the fence. Their votes have been bought and paid for by Obama and his porkulous slush fund...the so called stimulus bill.
      We Americans need to vote some of the freshmen Blue Dog Democrats back into office starting in 2010, however; we must vote ALL incumbent Democrats out of office when their term is up for re-election. The Obama Presidency, Democrat Senate and Democrat House are severely out of touch with the American Citizen. We need to clean house and impose term limits for all elected officials.
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