Re: Ben Nelson and "Obstructionism"

At 11:59 AM, Kyle Michaelis said...

I seem to remember us having shared control of the Senate for two years thanks to Ben Nelson's being a Democrat. It sure as hell isn't his fault that the Democrats fell so quickly from there.

Just because Nelson doesn't subscribe to the hyper-partisan notion that a Democrats job is to oppose President Bush hardly classifies him as a traitor. I ask this, where in the Senate has Ben Nelson betrayed the principles by which he governed Nebraska for eight years? It's simple...he hasn't. If he was a Democrat then, he's a Democrat now.

On this issue of Judicial appointees, changing filibuster rules is just a bad idea, but the Democrats' delay tactics are little better. We haven't had enough bark to back-up our legislative manuevering, so we're getting creamed on a losing issue.

As a former Governor, it's understandable that Nelson should think an executive deserves some free hand in his/her appointments. Allowing judicial nominees a vote is the very least that could be expected. It certainly is no betrayal (assuming he's not just a "yes" man on every nominee).

This "obstruction" issue is exactly the DEFENSIVE posturing that has crippled us. Voting proudly against Bush's abominations of justice and letting them hang themselves from the bench is the only way we can win back the people. We are holding desperately onto power as it slips though our fingers rather than letting go and getting back on the offensive where we belong.

In the Clinton years, if we would have been HALF as effective going after the Republican Congress for what they were doing to the courts, we'd probably have majorities in both houses. We missed our chance. Now, they've won and expect only that they be given the rope/noose to which they are entitled.

I say it's time we give in and let them have it. Let the people see the Republicans for what they are and who they put into power.

Ben Nelson is Ben Nelson. You don't have to like it. He's not my ideal Democrat either, but I refuse to insult him for being who he is and who we elected him to be.

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