In new Senate, Nelson (D-Ne) vote may be key for both parties

[Better with a Union Man]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101226/NE...th-parties


Nelson

By Joseph Morton
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson will still have plenty of sway when the 112th Congress convenes Jan. 5, but the Nebraska Democrat's role could shift.

For two years his party has been at or near 60 Senate seats, the chamber's magical threshold to shut down filibusters and advance legislation.

That breakdown is what put Nelson in a position to cast the dramatic deciding vote in favor of a sweeping overhaul of the health care system at this time last year. But on Nov. 2, voters thinned the Democrats' ranks. The Democrats will count 53 senators in their caucus next year, and the U.S. House will be controlled by the Republicans.

Nelson's influence in the next session compared with being the 60th Senate vote “really goes down, given the shrunken majority,” said Sarah Binder, a political science professor at George Washington University.

[firedupdem]

Nelson drives me nuts. He's come through on some key votes, but certainly did his share to help the republicans too. I always remember going to his website when I first moved here and there were pictures of him with bush. Yikes! I realized quite quickly I was in a red red state!

[Better with a Union Man]

I hope he does run again in 2012. Even then we have to worry about his health. In Ne. the Governor is free to chose any replacement in Congress. We would have a hard time stopping this seat from going to a hard line conservative either way. D's have way more seats to defend in the Senate in 2012 as is.

Nelson does vote with labor about 75% of the time. But he has made it clear he won't vote for EFCA that has card check in it.

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/legislativealert/

State Name Party Lifetime Voted right way %

NE Nelson, Ben D 75