6.05.2005
Centrist Democrat a Test of GOP Hold (WashingtonPost.com)
Nebraska's Nelson Could Help Thwart Drive to Build Filibuster-Proof Senate
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 5, 2005; Page A05
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Republican hopes of expanding the party's Senate majority begin in Nebraska, where first-term Democrat Ben Nelson is bidding for reelection in a state President Bush won by a landslide.
But Nelson, a leader in putting together last month's bipartisan pact on judicial nominees, is proving that red-state Democrats can still win fans by sticking to the political center and acting as can-do problem solvers who put pragmatism above party.
Already known for breaking with his party's leaders by backing Bush's tax cuts and considering the administration's Social Security proposals, Nelson thrust himself into the center of the effort to avert a Senate meltdown over judges. Last week, he proudly told Nebraskans that he wants Congress to stay focused on highway construction, retirement security and other issues they care about. One detail Nelson routinely omitted did not surprise those who watch him closely.
(More ... Centrist Democrat a Test of GOP Hold) ¶ 16:44
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 5, 2005; Page A05
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Republican hopes of expanding the party's Senate majority begin in Nebraska, where first-term Democrat Ben Nelson is bidding for reelection in a state President Bush won by a landslide.
But Nelson, a leader in putting together last month's bipartisan pact on judicial nominees, is proving that red-state Democrats can still win fans by sticking to the political center and acting as can-do problem solvers who put pragmatism above party.
Already known for breaking with his party's leaders by backing Bush's tax cuts and considering the administration's Social Security proposals, Nelson thrust himself into the center of the effort to avert a Senate meltdown over judges. Last week, he proudly told Nebraskans that he wants Congress to stay focused on highway construction, retirement security and other issues they care about. One detail Nelson routinely omitted did not surprise those who watch him closely.
(More ... Centrist Democrat a Test of GOP Hold) ¶ 16:44
