Sen. Nelson (DINO-Neb.): I don't want an activist for SCOTUS

[babylonsister]

http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/05/24/sen-nelson-i-dont-want-an-activist-for-scotus/

Sen. Nelson: I don't want an activist for SCOTUS
@ 9:24 am by Jeremy P. Jacobs


Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), one of the Senate's most centrist Democrats, just laid out his criteria for President Obama's pick for the Supreme Court.

"I don't want an activist on the bench," Nelson said on Fox News Sunday.

"Quite honestly," he went on, "I think we want to read the law, we don't want to read the justices minds."

Nelson is unlikely to disagree with whoever Obama picks, but it is worth noting that the word "activist" continues to plague liberal judicial appointments, even among Democrats. The word has been very effectively branded by Republicans, the same way the GOP has tried to define "empathy" in the last couple weeks to mean, basically, what "activist" now means.

[mmonk]

1. Sure he does. He wants someone to interpret law and the Constitution

with no deference to precedent but according to his interpretations.

[book_worm]

2. but it was okay for GOP presidents to put activist conservatives like Scalia and Thomas on the court

[aquamarina]

3. I really wish someone would define exactly what "activist" means.

Because I find the conservative interpretation - and that means you DINO Nelson - to be a bunch of bull. If we were to eliminate all the "activism" of the court we'd probably still allow slavery and women wouldn't be allowed to vote.

[Me.]

4. Boy He's Either A Brave Guy Or Is A Stupid, Dumb Egoist

He keeps shoving his fist in Obama's face. Sooner or later that famous counterpunch is going to land and knock Nelson off his feet.

[babylonsister]

9. He's had one counterpunch already...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5648964

Dem Senator Shunned In Quest To Block Health Care Reform


Ryan Grim

Ben Nelson All Alone In Quest To Block Health Care Reform


Sen. Ben Nelson announced at the beginning of this month that he opposed the creation of a public health care plan that people would have the option to buy into. He'd be gathering together a coalition of like-minded senators to oppose the plan, the conservative Democrat from Nebraska promised.

More than two weeks later, it's still a coalition of one.

Since Nelson's announcement, eight moderate Democrats and one Republican have told the Huffington Post that they are open to a public health care option. Two others, Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.), have signed on to the idea.

Last week, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) said they were open to a public plan but undecided. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) said much the same in a letter to the advocacy group Health Care for America Now,

Add more names to the list of those open to a public option: Jon Tester (Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Kay Hagan (N.C.) and Maria Cantwell (Wash.).

Because Democratic leaders have said they are willing to pass health care reform with a simple majority -- rather than the 60 votes needed for most Senate business -- fewer centrist senators are needed.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/ben-nelson-all...

[Me.]

13. Nelson, Apparently, Isn't A Quick Study

Here's another smack, the student loan program he adores, Lhttp://parentstudentloans.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/obama-proposes-to-end-federal-lending-through-banks/

So what's it gonna take for him to get the message?

[annabanana]

5. Nelson is only a "democrat" because the republican field is too

crowded in Nebraska..(with it's population somewhat less than the city of Chicago)

[Dappleganger]

6. 'Activist' is code for 'Pro-Choice'

WTH does he even have a D after his name??? We all know the litmus test the repukes will use on any of the President's SCOTUS nominees, and it looks like this jerk is lining up with other side already.

[Hawkeye-X]

7. Nelson is no centrist. he leans too far to the right

Let's ask Reid to kick his sorry ass out of the caucus. Certainly not representing Nebraska but himself.

[spanone]

8. then switch parties mr nelson

[Solly Mack]

10. from the man who voted YEA to Alito and Roberts

[FLAprogressive]

11. Is it wrong to wish bad things on a certain E. Benjamin Nelson?

Not death or physical harm....but maybe something like a scandal that forces him out of office.

[LiberalAndProud]

12. I weep.

True to form, Sen. Nelson.

[newfie11]

14. He is a repug in Democratic clothing

He will not get my vote when the time comes.

[pansypoo53219]

15. he is 1 of 100.

why is the press listening to him?

see see, we are not libral! and so they prove something they never were AGAIN.