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Nebraska's Nelson first Democratic senator to oppose Kagan
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) (L) is trailed by reporters in Washington in this December 19, 2009 file photo.
Credit: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
WASHINGTON |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson has announced he will oppose the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, making him the first Democrat to declare against her.
"I have heard concerns from Nebraskans regarding Ms. Kagan, and her lack of a judicial record makes it difficult for me to discount the concerns," Nelson said in a statement issued late on Friday.
While the break in his party's ranks is unlikely to be welcomed by President Barack Obama, it may make little practical difference for Kagan's chances.
Kagan, who has served the past year as Obama's solicitor general, has broad support among the rest of the Senate's Democratic majority and is expected to get at least some Republican votes as well.
Nelson also said he would oppose any attempt to block the nomination by a filibuster because he believes Kagan "deserves an up-or-down vote in the Senate."
Nelson's statement did not elaborate on the concerns about Kagan his constituents expressed.
But he is considered one of the Senate's most conservative Democrats. Kagan, a former Harvard Law School dean, has come under fire from conservatives and other critics for a lack of judicial experience and a background of Democratic political activism.
Supporters say she will be fair-minded and has vowed to rule on cases based on law, not ideology, and point to her top rating from the American Bar Association.
If Kagan is confirmed -- a Senate vote is expected this month -- and does in practice vote with the more liberal justices, it will make little difference in the court's recent balance since she will replace its leading liberal, retired Justice John Paul Stevens.
(Reporting by Jerry Norton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
This is a prime example of how the senate is broken. Who really gives a rats ass about how a senator from a state with a tot. pop. of 1.7 mill. is going to vote.
The initial equal state representation provision put in by the constitutional founders to protect states rights has gone completely out of whack. And more so recently (past 50 years) as states are more like special interest fiefdoms.
If this govt is ever going to function properly again I believe it’s time for a substantial overhaul. I also believe the founders if alive today would say “you mean everything is basically the same as nearly 250 years ago? Are you kidding me? It was suppose to be a framework not gospel!”
There is always one or two Black sheep in all organization or Party. So also in Democratic Party.
One cannot rule out the possibility of being influenced by the ex-democratic senator best known now as Betrayer was of late kick out of the Party. Senator Bel Nelson is a very close friend of the betrayer.
That betrayer went to the extent of threatening to file a case against the President if did not reverse his demand to freeze settlement permanently in occupied Palestinian territories. It is reported that betrayer is a member of a powerful Lobby group AIPC of Israel.
So one can easily understand the reason. It is said that Kagan would not do anything as per the desire of AIPAC the Israel lobby group, therefore oppose her.
There are lot many stories of AIPAC the famous is that it has the power of changing the resolution of congress from No to Yes and Yes to no. In short can make day into night and night into day.
Most of the Law makers of both the parties are scared of this Israel’s Lobby Group AIPAC. it is said AIPAC controls America, need to be verified such claimed.
This guy is a nut job, plain and simple, an embarrassment to the people of Nebraska
The guy is representing his constituents. Something the president could learn from as he passes unwanted, unpopular bills, after another. We need more politicians to represent the governed rather than a political party.
Let’s not get excited here, we’re taking about Ben “Mr. I Talk out of both side of his mouth” Nelson.
Will believe it whewn I see it.
Dear Sen. Nelson:
We regret to inform you that you can expect no further funding from the DNC for your re-election bid in 2012.
Sincerely,
Tim Kaine, Chairman, Democratic National Committee.
Only when it is a sure thing Kagan will get in does nelson come out and act like he is representing the people of his state. His opposition means nothing and he gets to look conservative to his voters.
We will regret Kagan for the rest of her life.
