Posted on 01/26/2011 6:25:30 PM PST by markomalley
Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson said Wednesday during a conference call with Nebraska reporters that he intends to get rid of the aisle in the Senate that divides members by party affiliation.
“I’m going to advocate — if there truly is an interest in working together — that we get rid of the aisle on the Senate floor,” said Nelson, “We could sit not by party but by state, or by alphabet, or some other way that erases the partisan divide.”
“We could sit not by party but by state, or by alphabet, or some other way that erases the partisan divide.”
“Others will probably join in. We’ve already gone through the exercise of last night so it should not be difficult to get others to sign onto the idea,” said Nelson, “The idea would be to send a joint letter to the leaders suggesting mixed seating.”
Nelson said that he is advocating this step as a more concrete follow-up to the bipartisanship of Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, where many congressmen chose to sit with colleagues of a different party.
Although one of the Senate’s most conservative Democrats, polling indicates that Nelson may follow the course of former Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln to a resounding re-election defeat.
Recent polls show that Nelson is vulnerable in his bid for re-election in 2012. A December poll conducted by Magellan Strategies shows Nelson down 14 points when matched against Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning.
Why don’t they sit in order of how much tax money they spend?
Preach it after 2012, Ben.
They are in a boat with ten holes and only have one cork.
Wouldn't that be simpler, not to mention reducing the impact it would have on people who are incited to violence by aisles?
-PJ
I know what he’s thinking: By sitting in a republican’s chair he’s hoping that the 2012 voters in Nebraska will not remember that he’s a democrat and think that he is a republican.
I know what he’s thinking: By sitting in a republican’s chair he’s hoping that the 2012 voters in Nebraska will not remember that he’s a democrat and think that he is a republican.
Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. With all the problems we are facing, this is all he can worry about? Nebraskans, send a chimp - not a chump - to Washington instead of Benedict Nelson. It would save his salary.
I’m hoping Nelson is still getting booed and is nervous when going about his state.
His votes have been terrible.
You have to wonder how bad things are in the Senate if he thinks that where he’s sitting makes a difference. I say seat them alphabetically, and when Nelson makes a stupid statement, the other Nelson can whack him on the head for besmirching the Nelson name.
The Democrats are still in the majority in the Senate.
I realize that. The point I was making is that when losing, as big as they did, the democrats are moving the goal line. The writing is on the wall!
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