Nebraska Democratic Party: Ben Nelson: America's Favorite Senator

Ben Nelson: America's Favorite Senator

Apr 19, 05:49 PM CST

Nelson fever continues to sweep Nebraska. While a trio of would-be challengers in the Republican primary have gathered headlines and spent millions of dollars on advertising, it’s clear all that attention is only proving to Nebraska voters how good Ben Nelson looks by comparison.

Yes, the latest numbers from SurveyUSA’s monthly, state-by-state tracking poll are in, and they show Nelson with an amazing 73% approval rating, capping off what has been a 12-month climb as the Senator of choice for all Nebraska.

Nelson’s stunning net approval of 54% is even enough to rank him as the most popular U.S. Senator in the country.

Those are numbers that just don’t lie. Republicans. Democrats. Independents. Everybody loves Ben.

Clearly, Nebraskans know true Nebraska values when they see them. In this election year, voters are rallying to Nelson’s independent voice of common sense so perfectly matched by his personal style of bold leadership through brave compromise. It’s what sets him apart, and it’s what makes him such an asset to not only the people of Nebraska but to every American who cares about good government that actually gets things done.

Our compliments to the Senator and to the people of Nebraska for being so wisely understanding just how good a representative they have in Ben Nelson.

– by Kyle Michaelis | Send this to a friend

Kyle – thanks for pointing this out. if you look at the breakout page on the poll at survey USA – Nelson has 20 point margins in favorability among GOPers’ Dems and Indies over Hagel. In fact, Nelson leads in every category over hagel as far as approval. Its interesting to see a Senator with such a high opinion of himself that he is planning to run for the White House losing among his base in his home state to a no nonsense Democrat like Nelson.
— Bill Apr 22, 10:23 AM CST #
Ben Nelson is that rare breed of politician in Nebraska that appeals to people across a wide spectrum of political thought. When I think of Sen. Nelson I can’t help but think back to Governor Frank Morrison and Governor and Senator Jim Exon as Democrats who appealed to all people in a very Republican-rich state. It seems to take the Nebraska Democratic Party a while to “ferment” good men like Ben Nelson, but when it does, these people are winners.
— John Waddell Apr 22, 11:25 PM CST #
From the Washington Post(via Sirotablog):

“There was a buzz when Dick Cheney walked into the ‘Fox News Sunday’ 10th anniversary bash Wednesday night, but it was another guest—arriving fashionably late—who really got heads turning. Hillary Clinton ?!!? Here? ‘Having the clear frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination show up at a Fox News party created a lot of excitement, and makes a statement about how we’re regarded in top Democratic circles,’ said host Chris Wallace , who invited her to the celebration. Clinton spent an hour at Cafe Milano schmoozing with News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch (very chummy since last year’s truce), Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes , and most of the Bush administration, including Karl Rove, Josh Bolten, Karen Hughes, Dan Bartlett and former Fox host Tony Snow , just hours after he was named the new Bush spokesman…More than 300 VIPs crammed into the Georgetown hot spot, passing a gantlet of security to make the cut. Much jockeying for face time with Brit Hume and Bill O’Reilly, and once-and-future power brokers such as House Speaker Dennis Hastert , Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Sens. John McCain and Ben Nelson , Rep. Tom DeLay , Newt Gingrich, Ken Duberstein, Ted Olson, Vernon Jordan and former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe. Yes, that flashy redhead was Georgette Mosbacher… The mood was conservatively expansive…and appropriately lush: Open bar, lots of food, cigars aplenty.”

Yep, Ben’s a popular guy, all right. Especially when he’s hangin’ with his peeps.
— Don Kuhns Apr 28, 12:28 AM CST #
Don … thanks for the post I remember reading that same article and feeling more then a little queazzy. Sorta like the overly congratulatory tone of this article about Nelson.

Listen, I think it is wonderful Nelson is so well thought of by the husker electorate; but, does this mean we give him a free pass when he has failed to represent his real consistuency … nebraska democrats.

Take the time to put some pressure on ol Ben … I can think of numerous issues where he has been absent for the party. As an example, the censure concern. I don’t mean to be overly negative but I for one think if a you are a democrat … you had beter damn well act like one.
— bamabarrron May 03, 02:50 AM CST #
I think its wrong of you to say that “nebraska democrats” are Senator Nelson’s “real consistuency [sic]”—we aren’t. The people of Nebraska are, and the senator is laudable for remembering that.
— Kevin Gant May 03, 09:31 AM CST #
I agree that Sen. Nelson’s constituency is the people of Nebraska. But, I have to wonder, what is the point of having a Nebraska Democratic Party if our candidates aren’t, in some way, reflecting the ideals of our party?
I agree with bamabarron that our Senator, and indeed – all our candidates, should be held accountable for the support they receive from us. If not, we might as well give up and become Republicans.
— Brian T. Osborn May 04, 12:09 PM CST #
Ben Nelson has my approval Along with every one else in the Democratic party in Nebraska Its nice to see the Democrats shine in a very red state.
— Josh Greo May 05, 09:29 PM CST #
People have to accept the fact that a state that only barely has a two-party system can’t really support minority officials. Until the party is rebuilt and becomes competitive, we will only have choices between right-leaning Democrats and far-right Republicans like Ricketts.
— wws May 06, 09:44 AM CST #
I, for one, expect my representatives in Washington to seriously consider censuring, if not impeaching, the entire Bush junta. I believe the majority of Americans are ready for that. We are sick and tired of their bold-faced lies and their corrupt administration.
We are closing in on the 2,500th American casualty in this ill-begotten experiment in Middle Eastern democracy and the only resolution seems to be the spilling of more blood and further plundering of our nation’s treasure.
Bush and his pack of jackals have thumbed their noses at Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution. Ours is supposed to be a representative form of democracy, not a kingdom, nor a theocracy, but that is what it is headed for at breakneck speed.
I want Ben Nelson, Chuck Hagel, and Tom Osborne to take a stand with the people of the United States and quit rubber-stamping everything this damned administration wants. I want them to restore the checks and balances between the branches of our government.
So, as I have stated here before, I am a Democrat and I will actively support Ben Nelson in his quest for re-election. But, I think that for him to represent me, he has to know what I think and how I feel. That’s why he gets emails from me on a regular basis.
Our party is the party of the people, not the party of big business and the military industrial complex. Each of us has the right and the duty to tell our representatives what we expect of them. Sure, they have to make decisions that will appeal to the majority of their constituents or be in line with their personal standards, but we are not sheep who merely follow. Our voices need to be loud and proud to be heard over the din of those who would silence us.
— Brian T. Osborn May 06, 03:23 PM CST #
Do mean the illegals and there illegal employers are his consistuency. He just voted for closure paving the way for an pro business/anti-lawabiding worker amnesty for illegal bill. Watch next he willv ote against the bill and say he was really agianst it. When he could of helped stop it from coming to a vote.
I live in G. I. and see the devastation caused by this crime and would not be able to vote for some one who is so anti law abiding workers. The wages at Swift Beef are the same as they were when I graduated in 1977. That can only be susutained with the help of anti-lawabiding worker Senators like Nelson
— Debra Rimmer May 23, 02:17 PM CST #
Dear Senator Nelson,
I have a personal concern that I feel needs to be addressed. My Mother is physically disabled, and has been told time and time again that she does not qualify for disability, because she did not work a full time job, and is to young to qualify for medicare.
So here is my delima (not only for her, but for others who choose family over career).
This is a woman who stayed home and raised 8 children, who most of them, their spouses, and now their children, reside, work and pay taxes in the state of Nebraska.
We keep hearing over and over again about family values, and yet here is a prime example of someone who has been penalized for choosing family values.
If there is anything you can do to help in this matter, I would LOVE to hear from You!!

Sincerely,
Mary L. Browning
— Mary L. Browning Sep 19, 03:33 PM CST #
As a long time Democrat, I finally settled in to vote for Ben Nelson, although his and Pete Ricketts ads very nearly drove me away from both men., and whatever policies they may think they have.

I thought Nellson might be the best of the two.

Then, tonight, I saw on T.V. Nelson participating in big game hunting, killing various beasts to give himself trophies and perhaps
credence with the NRA. That very nearly turned me…..but the the kicker which did; A slain Giraffe.
A Giraffe which could only bat his eyes at you. A Giraffe who would be no danger to man. Is it that men who have too much money, need to pretend they are in the wild with a Lion breathing down their neck. These beautiful creatures, who exsist only for the survival of their species are slaughered for a photo shoot? Who is the civilized one in this scene? Ben Nelson, you have lost me forever.
— Georgia L McSorley Oct 09, 10:37 PM CST #