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Nebraska Democrat wavers on running again, decision could help determine control of Senate [Nelson]
Newser ^ | 11/04/11 | HENRY C. JACKSO

Posted on 11/04/2011 11:41:06 AM PDT by freespirited

All the pieces are in place for a re-election bid, but Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson is wavering on whether he'll seek a third term in 2012 or retire _ a decision that could have a big effect on Democrats' chances of holding their Senate majority.

Nelson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he'll make a decision over the holiday season. In the meantime, he's piled up campaign cash, hired a campaign manager and watched his party spend more than $1 million on ads supporting him.

But Nelson, a conservative Democrat, has told friends and supporters he's not a lock for another run and has expressed frustration with the inability of a divided Congress to pass meaningful legislation.

"He's alluded to a lot of frustration back in Washington," said former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, a Nelson supporter. "There's a lot of frustration with him and independent-minded senators about the ability to get things done."

Fahey said he expected Nelson's happiness on the job, as well as family concerns, to factor heavily in his decision.

Nelson's decision will have important consequences for Democratic hopes of maintaining control of the Senate. Republicans need to net four seats in 2012 to take back the upper chamber.

Republicans see his seat as a pickup opportunity either way: They believe the state has tilted further to the right in recent years and think Nelson's vote for President Barack Obama's signature health care legislation will weigh him down.

(Excerpt) Read more at newser.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012; bennelson; senate
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He's beatable, but it would be better if he just didn't run.
1 posted on 11/04/2011 11:41:09 AM PDT by freespirited
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To: freespirited

Nelson has been getting kicked around since his tarp and obammycare votes as well he should,
I hope he runs and gets his ass whooped handily and has a real poor time even campaigning, what with loads of folks at his events ridiculing his sorry ass.


2 posted on 11/04/2011 11:44:03 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (FUBO ( Real conservative or go fish))
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To: freespirited

“All the pieces are in place for a re-election bid”

Ha! He’s deluding himself if he thinks he’s going to re-elected. Remember that woman in the Italian restaurant?? “Get him the hell out of here!” He’s toast.


3 posted on 11/04/2011 11:44:03 AM PDT by cotton1706
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To: freespirited

Disagree. Easier to defeat him than almost anyone else the Dems put up. His defense of the Cornhusker Kickback was apalling. I will empty my tiny coffers to defeat this man.


4 posted on 11/04/2011 11:44:41 AM PDT by Hessian (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.)
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To: All

If Tom Osborne could be lured away from being AD at nebraska, I think he’d be a very formidable candidate.

But he spent time in DC while a member of the House and maybe he’s just not interested in going back.


5 posted on 11/04/2011 11:46:13 AM PDT by MplsSteve (Amy Klobuchar is no moderate. She's Al Franken with a nicer smile.)
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To: freespirited

Hmm keep what cash he has or run n have to work hard? Y’all let me know how that works out. Essentially, that’s Obamas question. Rake in campaign cash from morons to sustain the lavish life, or spend money and work.


6 posted on 11/04/2011 11:50:06 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Look out Left Coast, we are coming and we have Bibles and Guns! LOLca)
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To: freespirited

“conservative democrat”? No such animal. What a liar that reporter is.


7 posted on 11/04/2011 11:50:31 AM PDT by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
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To: freespirited

[But Nelson, a conservative Democrat,]

Lol. Is there any such thing?


8 posted on 11/04/2011 11:51:20 AM PDT by KansasGirl
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To: freespirited

Control of the Senate is NOT in doubt next year. GOP takes over..just a question of by how many seats. And that’s the real reason why Nelson won’t run. He might think he has a chance to fool the voters one more time, and he might get lucky, but why go through a tough campaing onlyh to win a seat in the MINORITY...Far better to get out now


9 posted on 11/04/2011 11:52:02 AM PDT by ken5050 (Cain/Gingrich 2012!!! because sharing a couch with Pelosi is NOT the same as sharing a bed with her)
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To: freespirited

His vote on the 0bamacare law should be a millstone around his neck.


10 posted on 11/04/2011 12:06:05 PM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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Mash His Cute Little Nose

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11 posted on 11/04/2011 12:09:17 PM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list)
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To: ken5050

Just curious to hear you’re reasoning on why the GOP will take the Senate next year. That would be awesome, don’t get me wrong, but why does it seem to be the safe bet right now?


12 posted on 11/04/2011 12:14:39 PM PDT by erod (Unlike the President I am a true Chicagoan.)
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To: KansasGirl

There might be, but I have yet to learn of one.

On second thought, maybe Zell Miller qualifies.


13 posted on 11/04/2011 12:16:14 PM PDT by freespirited (Stupid people are ruining America. --Herman Cain)
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To: erod
Just curious to hear you’re reasoning on why the GOP will take the Senate next year. That would be awesome, don’t get me wrong, but why does it seem to be the safe bet right now?

Dems had a good year in 2006, which means a bunch are up for reelection in 2012. Something like 22 or 23 of the 33 Senate races involve Dem-held seats, so it's a good year to replace a bunch of Dem Senators with Republican Senators.
14 posted on 11/04/2011 12:17:24 PM PDT by DTxAg
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To: erod

Intrade folks have GOP chances of taking the Senate at 73%.

Unfortunately they also predict Romney will be the GOP nominee—he’s at around 70.


15 posted on 11/04/2011 12:19:01 PM PDT by freespirited (Stupid people are ruining America. --Herman Cain)
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To: MplsSteve

Boy, wouldn’t that be a landslide election?

Hope he at least considers it.

Meanwhile old Ben would probably enjoy being able to go out for dinner once in a while without getting booed...


16 posted on 11/04/2011 12:24:01 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: ken5050
And when we do, we had better shove stuff down the Democrats throat they way they were stuffing it down the GOP's throat, not allowing debate or filibuster.

No more of this 'gentlemen' stuff.

17 posted on 11/04/2011 12:25:52 PM PDT by fortheDeclaration (When the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Pr.29:2))
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To: DTxAg; freespirited

Thank you both. Btw I don’t think Romney will be the nominee we’re looking at Cain or Gingrich imho.


18 posted on 11/04/2011 12:27:11 PM PDT by erod (Unlike the President I am a true Chicagoan.)
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To: DTxAg; erod
Look at the list..

About the only chance the Dems have is Brown in Mass..and he's still popular there, though NOT on FR (g)Warren is an awful candidate...she'll make them miss Martha Coakley. We hold that seat..and aren't really in trouble anywheres else.

Nelson in NE will retire. Nelson in FL is going down..believe me...especially so with Obama atop the ticket. McCaskill in MO, Tester in MON..both are in trouble..N. Dakota is a lock... that's why Conrad quit. We have great pick-up chances in Ohio, and Wisconis, and there are another 4-5 states, where, in a surge election, we could pick up a few more.

The odds are BETTER that the GOP gets to 60 seats than that the Dems hold the Senate.

I think we end up with 55-57..and if you really wanna get excited..look at the list of Dems up in 2014..another 23. WE end up after 2014 with a conservative president, a GOP controlled House, and a filibuster proof GOP senate of 63 seats..

19 posted on 11/04/2011 12:46:19 PM PDT by ken5050 (Cain/Gingrich 2012!!! because sharing a couch with Pelosi is NOT the same as sharing a bed with her)
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To: ken5050
WE end up after 2014 with a conservative president, a GOP controlled House, and a filibuster proof GOP senate of 63 seats..

From your keyboard to God's ear. You really want to see liberals' heads explode, have a conservative President in 2015 nominate 2 or 3 pro-life SCOTUS judges with a filibuster-proof Senate.
20 posted on 11/04/2011 12:48:30 PM PDT by DTxAg
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