Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson will vote for ObamaCare.
He had been holding out for no-abortion funding language, and apparently he go it.
And what else?
"Nelson also secured other favors for his home state."Oh, remember the Ben Nelson who just a few days ago said he couldn't be bought?
He was bought.
Remember those who said that even with abortion language, he wouldn't vote for it?
He's voting for it.
Let the campaigning begin.
Let the campaigning begin.
***
According to Jonah Goldberg at NRO:
The deal for Ben Nelson includes additional Medicaide funding for Nebraska and carve outs for physician owned hospitals in Nebraska — and Nebraska only. Uncle Sam will take the hit for 100% of the Medicade expansion for Nebraska, forever. Nebraska is the only state to get this deal.***
From a Senate Republican aide :
Nelson made an interesting comment when talking to reporters this morning. If there were substantial changes in the House-Senate conference committee, he said he reserved the right to filibuster. How will the Left take that? Does it embolden Howard Dean and the Daily Kos?***
Now isn’t the time to give up.
This is no compromise. The abortion language is on page 38. It's not Stupak. States can opt out of covering abortions. But abortion in states that don't opt out will be covered by federal dollars (including by taxpayers who oppose abortion).***
From Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell:
This bill is a "legislative train wreck of historic proportions."
"The bill includes permissive language on government-funded abortion."
Medicaid: "The bill imposes massive burdens on states that are already struggling under the weight of the cost of Medicaid. At the same time, however, it gives special sweetheart deals to a select few states. Interestingly enough, two states that stand out are Nebraska and Vermont." This means that taxpayers elsewhere around the country end up "paying more so that Nebraska and Vermont can get a special deal."
"A bill that was sold as helping a major problem in our nation actually makes the problem worse."
"If this was a good bill with bipartisan support, they would not be trying to pass this the weekend before Christmas and in the middle of the night."
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29 comments:
Ben Nelson should be a Senator from a coastal state. There he could represent all the jelly fish with his "no spine" positions.
Dave Heineman for U.S. Senate.
I just drove by the capital building. I think I saw a tear in the Sower's eye.
Shame on you Ben Nelson. I wonder if it's too late to stop his statue in McCook.
This bill is going to hand the US House to the Republicans.
No one is less pleased with the advent of gubmint-run health care than yours truly ... but ... I have a question:
How many of you who are now screaming for Nelson's scalp were gonna vote for him in 2012 if he hadn't folded up like a seersucker suit on this health care mess?
Me neither.
You want to do some good? Then spend less energy ranting on conservative blogs (where you're preaching to the choir) and go convince some of your "moderate" friends to quit voting for this posturing lardhead.
There ... I feel SO much better.
"YOU LIE, BEN NELSON" Stupak language is not in the bill. Julie Schmidt Albbin where are you on this? Babies will die with federal dollars!!! So is Nebraska Right to Life going to support this action????????
This bill alows for the government to pay for abortions. Period...no question.
I think Julie Schmidt Albin needs to explain were she stands. Ben Nelson has sold us out!!!
Sam Brownback is saying abortion will be funded with tax dollars with the Nelson compromise.....Where is Nebraska Right to Life.
UW -
I agree in general with you, BUT... it was a lot less difficult for EBen to be a moderate in a GOP Senate or with a GOP President. But now he has to measure up with what his party really wants and he's faced too many tough votes for the sake of his party.
I think he's toast for 2012. He just can't hide from the liberal direction his party is going.
Who cares where Nebraska Right to Life is. What are they going to do about it now? Nothing and there's nothing they can do. The only thing they can do for the future is not believe Democrats when they say they are pro-life. The Party of Death can't be trusted.
BTW, I think this is a testament to Senator Nelson's character that it took up until the last minute before Nebraskans knew what was truly important to him.
This just in...The Nelso abortion language is worse than Reid's initial language!!!
To be fair to EBN, he's a mighty high-priced whore. I thought he'd get Medicaid paid for for 5 or 10 years, but forever?
(Or the next GOP congress, whichever comes sooner).
I still think this will kill him. I overestimated the man. It's the second time he's gone in the tank for an increasingly unpopular president. And cap-and-tax is still to come. Want to see if he can go three-for-three?
Who has any right to be surprised by any of this?
well, i will not vote for him in the next election. kiss it goodbye, benny...
i wonder what he received in return for his vote?
Well said Cigar Maestro.....Smirking Tom harkin said this is "just the first step" to scocialized medicine. Ben Nelson you ruined our healthcare system!!!
Scott:
I'm a little surprised -- not that Nelson would sell out his principles, but that he'd make what I think is a major political mistake. It's tough to run on a "I'm not really a Democrat" ticket when, on all the important votes, you've voted lock-step with your party against united Republican opposition.
And from what they're saying on NRO, the pro-life movement is not going to like the abortion language.
I think Julie will protect the Benator. She has made exuses for him for years. Time to step up to the plate Julie!!!
Amen to what Scott 12:01 said. Nelson has done this for years and this time he got caught in his own double speak. In the Baskin Robbins of life, he's always been vanilla, not even French.
Scott,
I'm not surprised he caved. He has been searching for a way to support this all along. What surprises me is how blatant the bribe and payoff is. Also surpised as to how he could ever think this was anything close to an acceptable compromise on abortion. His vote allows federal funding of abortion...period.
The Republican party does not own the U.S. Treasury. A lot of pro-choice people pay taxes too. Why should our laws reflect only the will of those on the right? There's plenty of us lefties out here and that ain't gonna change.
Pro choice? You means there is a choice in this America? WoW
This is about more than pro-life...this is just one less freedom and another step closer to bankruptcy. Three-fourths of America have no clue of the losses this country has suffered due to nanny government control at the local...state and federal level.
Nelson is just another Nero fiddling the final swan song for our nation.
Unc...
I made the calls and wrote the letters...
Ben Nelson Sucks. So, like most (all) washington politicos, he can be bought- to vote against what a clear majority of his constituents want. A pitiful little medicaid money for marxism to get its start here in our state. Congrats Ben. Oh you will be remembered for this as your statues are torn down, not put up.
You are out of office in 2012 Nelson. You caved again what a weak man. They all bow down to obama but remember God is here and is going to do something about it. I have faith. Nelson is gone in 2012 vote for Shane Osborn
You know I called Nelson's office last week and asked about the rumors of Nelson voting for the bill and I got laughed at and told that was just people talking. Who's laughing now I know Nelson is out in 2012. I own a small business and talk to about 300 people a day. I will make sure they all understand what he has done.
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