I don’t think Florida’s Senator Bill Nelson is really prepared for how they will be going after him in his 2006 run. He has been pretty much moderate in his votes, with a 52% approval rating among Republicans and only 47% among Democrats. I don’t think he is aware of how the playing field has changed so quickly.
The attacks are more vicious than ever, and he may have to get out of his play nice mode in order to win. I am not sure he will be able to do that. The GOP will never let Katherine Harris run against him, and the rumbles are already starting for her to step down. Whoever they run against him will appeal to more Republicans than Nelson does……so he is NOT going to win by going right. He just is not. He needs to be prepared to stand up and fight and say who he is.
The latest which is just overboard in its outrageousness is this:
SNIP.”But even Nelson was caught off guard when told a Republican group was questioning whether he would be easy on sexual predators simply because he appeared with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in historically black Eatonville.
After the appearance, the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted items on its Web site asking “Nelson Campaigns With Obama — Does He Agree With Obama’s Record Of Lenience On Sexual Predators?” and “Does Nelson Agree With Obama’s Refusal To Support Commonsense Measures To Keep Children Safe?” The site then listed votes Obama made as a state senator on issues like sex offenders, pornography and adult businesses near schools.”
Nelson’s response to this interview was an off-guard one, and I am sure he was shocked completely at being attacked for appearing with Obama. He needs to be prepared for stuff like that coming at him here. His answer shows he was misreading and underestimating them:
“Anybody who would suggest that one senator should not appear with another because that senator is African-American, then those comments themselves are un-American,” Nelson said.”
That was not the gist of the attack, and he was off-guard.
Many of us have a feeling because of some under the radar things that have happened that perhaps the state party now might be inclined to not extend the welcome mat to controversial party leaders. I think that is a mistake. Nelson does not have a choice except to fight back as hard as he can, and to let anyone who wants to help him come here.
I may be reading it wrong, but I don’t think so.
Go for it, Nelson. Don’t let them intimidate. They are not going to play nice this time at all.
Good god. How does a decent person react to that crap?
Too bad the word “bullshit!” is verboten for politicians.
Bill Nelson makes me furious with many of his votes, and he does not respond to his constituents very well. However, there are no Democrats going after him…no one is running against him…the field is cleared. No one will work against him in anyway, unlike last year when our Democrats killed each other.
He can win, but he may not be able to do it unless he willing to take chances.
He is not a good chance-taker. This time I don’t think he will win unless he becomes a fighter.
He makes me furious with some of his votes as well. And someone should explain that taking a couple of weeks and then responding for a form email is just wrong.
He is definitely not the fighter I would want or that we might need. However, he really seems to be benefiting from the Repubs fighting over their nominee. Hopefully it’ll be enough to carry him through.
I think they sense it, like sharks smelling blood in the water. He is a good man, but he is out of step with his constituents. But of course we will vote for him.
Did you ever read “Jesus Plus Nothing” at Harpers Magazine?
He is part of that group they call the Fellowship or the Cedars, various names.
Senators Don Nickles (R., Okla.), Charles Grassley (R., Iowa), Pete Domenici (R., N.Mex.), John Ensign (R., Nev.), James Inhofe (R., Okla.), Bill Nelson (D., Fla.), and Conrad Burns (R., Mont.) are referred to as “members,” as are Representatives Jim DeMint (R., S.C.), Frank Wolf (R., Va.), Joseph Pitts (R., Pa.), Zach Wamp (R., Tenn.), and Bart Stupak (D., Mich.). Regular prayer groups have met in the Pentagon and at the Department of Defense, and the Family has traditionally fostered strong ties with businessmen in the oil and aerospace industries”
Stupak and Nelson are the only Democrats mentioned. Interesting article. Link.
Jesus Plus Nothing
I had heard of them before but didn’t know that Nelson was a member. Wow. And yes, I will vote for him. But someday I dream about voting for someone I really am inspired by, someone who I believe in. How I envy those who get to do that.
You know, what he did there–whether on purpose or inadvertently–was use a Republican trick. Instead of addressing the gist of the accusation he skipped all that and went straight to calling his accusers racists.
I thought that was a GREAT reply.
“Let’s make him deny he is a pig-fucker” is the classic here. He did NOT dignify the charge with an direct answer. There is no way you can “defend” yourself against that chage. His answer was great. He put it right back in their face.
Q:Are you a pig-fucker?
A:No I do not frequent pigs.
Headline: Links candidate name and pig fucking
Q: Are you a pig fucker?
Q: Are you a bigot?
Headline: Other candidate linked to bigotry
His response was beautiful.