Rat Rally: Backlash against Ben Nelson still growing
They call themselves the “Nebraskans Advisory Group” — a small band of citizens angry (yes, ANGRY!) about Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson’s ridiculous Demcare cop-out/sell-out/attempted shameless do-over. Group founder Susan Smith e-mails that a dozen members stood out in the snow for their first “Rat Rally” last weekend.
A few choice photos:
The protesters have plenty of company. Nelson’s approval rating has plummeted to 42 percent over his Cornhusker Kickback/Backtrack.
On a separate but related front, a prickly and panicked Nelson showed up uninvited at a meeting of pro-life activists in Washington, D.C., via LifeSiteNews.com:
One month after Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) stunned pro-lifers across the country by casting the crucial vote allowing the health care bill to pass the Senate, the beleaguered Democrat caused a stir when he arrived unexpectedly at a private meeting of pro-life leaders Wednesday to explain his reasoning and insist that he was still devoted to their cause.
The atmosphere of the room grew tense, however, as it became clear that Nelson had not come to apologize for casting the 60th “yes” vote that dashed the hopes of pro-life leaders counting on the senator to stop the abortion-expanding bill in its tracks. Instead Nelson rebuffed the idea that he caved on his pro-life position, and said that the “compromise” language that he had offered just before the final senate vote – which segregated the taxpayer subsidy monies funding abortion-providing insurance plans – allowed Nelson to “hold true to my pro-life principles” in voting for the measure.
Nelson opened his prepared remarks by stating, “I haven’t changed one bit on the principles that you and I share, that every human life is precious and needs to be protected.” He defended his decision to pass the senate bill with weaker abortion language, saying he was saving “leverage” for a later conference committee vote. At that point, he said, he would have insisted on the stronger language of the Nelson/Hatch/Casey amendment that the Senate had earlier rejected.
Cryptically, Nelson also suggested that Republicans were failing to be adequately pro-life by not working harder to pass the health care overhaul. Pro-life leaders should “lobby [Republicans] for life,” he said, in hopes that “just one pro-life Republican” would step up to offer a vote for the bill if it included the Hyde amendment.
…In a question-and-answer session following his remarks, Nelson expressed frustration when one pro-life leader suggested that Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak, unlike Nelson, stood his ground for adequate pro-life language.
“Excuse me, I don’t want to give the impression that I didn’t stand my ground,” said Nelson. “We might have a difference of opinion about the language that was written, but there are some others who do believe that that was written in a way that it did bar the use of federal funds. It may not have been the language people preferred, I understand.
“But I’m not going to stand here and hear that I didn’t stand my ground, because I believe I did.”
Self-delusion is always a wonder to behold.
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Via LifeNews: Barbara Boxer Confirms Nelson’s Health Care Deal Doesn’t Stop Abortion Funding.
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Nebraska GOP keeps up the pressure: Give Ben the Boot.
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I pledge to donate to the campaign of a true pro-life candidate who challenges for “Benedict” Nelson’s seat!
Must have got some lessons from Clinton. “I did not have sex with that woman.”
I feel like I’m living in a bad film noir.
Nelson,aside from being delusional about the pro life wording, doesn’t even express shame regarding his bribe taking at the expense of the rest of the Country.
Obama and his radical buddies are intent on settling old scores and are governing with a seething vindictiveness.
Chances of him tacking to the center. Zero.
Here’s to hoping they keep the delusion going till the next election. They won’t change and become honest law abiding citizens so might as well hope they keep fantasizing and get thrown out on their A$$!
All right then. If you don’t have the gumption to say the truth, then 58% of your constituents will say it for you.
The days of having their comfy seats are over.Oblamer is the best thing to happen since it awoke the sleeping giant.The pressure is on in every state and they can’t hide anymore.
The only way the people of Nebraska, or any other state, will be able to exercise oversight of their Federal, State, and Local elected representatives/officials is to pass, and then use, recall provisions into their state election laws.
Ben, what is that smelly stuff on your shoe? Seems to be sticking no matter how hard you try to get rid of it.
Elections have consequences. I don’ think the career politicians thought it would be the ones they’re seeing sweeping the nation.
Ben, you probably should start thinking about putting together a CV…but maybe you should change your name or move out of Nebraska.
= NAG
People taking back their government by flexing their 1st amendment muscles will no doubt now be characterized as “Naggers and Teabaggers” by the left.
Oh, what a troubled way we weave when we first start in to deceive. (Or something like that). It is especially difficult when we deceive ourselves. But it is a liar that lies and tries to pass it off as “You’re too damn dumb to understand plain English”.
I’m sure our lovely hostess will keep us informed, but when we receive information about groups/movements like this, please post it here for all to see. I know Nelson is not up for re-election until 2012, but now is the time to start working for his defeat.
I live in Illinois. The senate seat of His Most High Obamaship is up for grabs, and the likely Republican candidate is Mark Kirk (R – cap & tax), one of the 7 Rs to vote for C&T. I will vote for Kirk (if only to put another “R” in the senate and another step towards regaining the majority), but that is as far as my support will go. I live in Melissa Bean’s (D-Pelosi) district in Illinois. She also voted for C&T, and in response to my call asking her to oppose it sent me a letter essentially saying I’m too stupid to understand the legislation. I am going to put my resources (money, time and effort) into defeating her. We have our primaries on February 2nd, and when we have a candidate I’ll get on board.
Anyway, as we learned in the Scott Brown race, when Conservatives identify a candidate that reflects our values, state boundaries don’t matter. I donated to Brown, and will not hesitate to again donate directly to a legitimate Conservative candidate, regardless of where they live. Can you imagine the impact on the races if the Conservative grassroots get involved in every race the way they did in Massachusetts? I’m thinking of the vulnerable donks in LA, ARK and of course Dingy Harry. Then there’s Florida, perhaps Dodd’s seat, the list keeps growing.
By the way, the dough will go directly to the candidate. I don’t want it filtered through the RNC and perhaps go to candidates I wouldn’t approve of (like Mark Kirk!).
That 42 percent in the heartland is the disturbing part. With 42% of the people in Nebraska supporting this nonsense just how United can this country ever be? I do look forward in unseating many of this rats come November but the long term outlook for the United States is bleak indeed.
One other comment about politics. My life stretches back to FDR’s first year (1933 for those in Rio Linda as our illustrious radio host would say) and never have I seen or heard of an uprising of private, (usually silent) citizens, angry as hell, like this past year. Politicians used to hand out lies like Nelson did in this case and people would just shrug, go about their business and complain to themselves. Not now. Maybe it’s better information (internet, cell phones etc) but it makes me so happy and proud to see folks who really love this country, love children they can’t see, and fight for those kids lives I could just cry for joy. Thank God for Americans–No better people.
Basically, “we don’t care what the people we are supposed to represent want. We know better and are going to do what we want no matter what.”
Well Ben, you punched your ticket and you better start looking for new employment. I am from Nebraska, and I will not forget how you sold us out in 3 years and neither will most others.
Lame.
Edward G. Robinson: “You dirty rat! Mmmm!”
This rat likes to cut his cheese both ways!
Nebraskans respond: Then leave us, Ben Nelson
…and cruise control!
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to decieve.”
Sir Walter Scott.
I think he needs Obama to come help him campaign in Nebraska.
Deceived you with that spelling of deceive, sorry, but practise was correct for the day.
We want representatives who have the courage to go against their constituents when their constituents are wrong.
But the representative who defies his constituency had better be right.
And Nelson is clearly badly wrong.
He is either a liar or a fool. It doesn’t matter what ‘language’ he thinks shows he was still ‘standing up for his principles.’ If the fool knew anything about government and its bureaucracies and the nature of the pro-choice movement, he would understand no language will prevent government controlled health care from eventually funding abortions.
Just as no language will prevent government controlled health care from being provided to illegals.
The man is a fool and a liar, and I doubt he did what he did out of courage. He did it out of stupidity. He thought he could fool us.
Ben, your strategy to vote for ObamaCare with the idea that you would argue for stronger anti-abortion later is absurd. Once the ball got rolling, it would roll over you like an avalance. Obama and Reid wouldn’t even entertain the idea of giving you a chance to speak about it. To think otherwise just shows how naive you are about your fellow crapweasels, Obama and Reid.
At the end of the day, Ben, it really doesn’t matter what you believe about your actions. What does matter is what your constituents believe.
It is apparent that they are starting to believe you haven’t stood your ground. They are mobilizing to find someone other than you to better represent their views in DC. For the sake of the country, I hope they’re successful. You, sir, are not worthy.
indeed, i stood my ground right up to the point i took the biggest bribe i could muster. and yes i’m going to enjoy my post senatorial job in the administration as ambassador to fiji.
Ben is like most career politicians; his experience tells him that the media will help him deny, lie, cover up and confuse his constituents, that voters have very short & selective memories, and as the incumbent; he has the edge with money coming from every direction. Therefore, he does what he wants and expects no serious challenge and no penalty. It’s just possible that times are changing and Ben will be sent home without his perks & privileges. I sincerely hope my fellow citizens do just that.
Ben Nelson statement in other words:
“I’m only partly pregnant! I’m often honest too!”
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Ben Nelson must really be “toast” now. Courageous patriotic Americans standing out in the snow and slush freezing their b**ts off and tea partying him! And in rat suits also–and smiling and enjoying it.
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Just wait until warmer days come and his re-election date gets closer–the turnout will be gigantic. He can’t even go out for a pizza anymore.
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John Bibb
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Did Ben Nelson say something?
All I heard was: “Squeeeeeek!”
Graysonret, I was thinking along the same lines: It depends on what the meaning of “stand” and “ground” are.
When he is defeated, it would be interesting to find out what he was offered in the back room to betray his fellow Nebraskans.
Simple:
stand = stab
my ground = my constitutents in the back
Not until His Hope and Changeness spends the summer stumping for Reach McCain-PLEASE. Please oh please Mr. President show your Post Partisanshipness and campaign for JohnnyBoy-PLEASE.
Isn’t Ben Nelson giving rats a bad name?
This just in:
Chuck E. Cheese has sued Ben Nelson for giving rats a bad name.
Nebraskans, speaking in a John Wayne voice, “Mr. Rat, we have a writ here that says you are to stop selling your vote forthwith! It’s a rat writ writ for a rat, and this is lawful service of same!
He’s not listening!”
BANG!
Uh, you just did Bennie.
Seeing the picture which accompanies this post reminded me of another rat named “Ben”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_(film)
Maybe some enterprising soul out there can redo the lyrics to the song made famous by Michael Jackson.
Hoepfully the 2012 tidal wave that sends Obama for a long golf vacation in Oahu sends Ben Nelson back to chasing ambulances in Lincoln.
BTW, Ben spent the entire 1960s in college, bachelors, masters, than a law degree.
Anyone smell a draft dodger?
I find it hard to believe that 42% of Nebraskans still support him. These people are either welfare Obamaites, or have been living in a cave.
Another incumbent that needs to be sent home. These people are not representing the citizens. They are not upholding their oath of office. Most don’t even respect the Constitution.
Didn’t he just prove the case against him with his own words? By saying “I’m not going to stand here”, Isn’t he saying he’s not going to stand his ground? So, he’s not willing to stand his ground now any more than he was willing to stand his ground then.