Ben Nelson

Kyle Michaelis of New Nebraska Network:

While Nelson backed-down from the fighting words he’d initially used against a public health care option, he’s given no real indication of being any more open-minded on the subject than was necessary to get the heat off his back.  And, it’s just not true – not in the slightest – that Nelson’s made any public promise not to join a Repubican filibuser of health care reform.

Actually, Nelson has been a vigorous defender of his right to join just such a filibuster.  In fact, in Roll Call last week, he left open the possibility wherever "extraordinary circumstances" might exist.  I’d say the biggest overhaul of U.S. health care in more than four decades – perhaps ever – is pretty darn extraordinary, wouldn’t you?

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The NP Telegraph’s report suggests that all we’ve seen from Nelson has been smoke, mirrors, and non-committal rhetoric designed to keep the heat off him while he works to undermine the fundamental reform for which most Democrats in Congress are fighting and most of the American people are demanding.  Every statement from Nelson indicates that his first priority is protecting the insurance industry and the status quo rather than delivering the best possible outcome for the American people.

Nelson does a great disservice to the people of Nebraska by promoting the idea that this debate is all about more or less government.  This is about people’s lives.  This is about the security of our families.  This is about the future of the U.S. economy.  But, Nelson practically turns a blind eye to those struggles – in favor of ideology – leaving a gaping hole where Nebraskans are so desperate for a real champion of reform who’ll work to relieve their fears and defend their interests.

I wonder how popular the health insurance industry is in Nebraska.  Would be interesting to know.  Do people in Nebraska really believe that Blue Cross profit margins are more important than their health care needs?