Breaking News: Ben Nelson to Retire

Just a short note, I’ll be helping out around here, seeing that the boss lady broke her arm trying to link to Stacy’s blog. I figured, I’m available and work for cheap; so, here I am! Yes, I will behave myself.

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Looks like the fallout from the ObamaCare vote is continuing.

Via Politico: (H/T to HotAir)

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska announced his retirement from the Senate Tuesday, delivering a serious blow to Democratic efforts to hold on to the majority in the chamber next November.

 “There’s much more that needs to be done to keep America strong. And while I relish the opportunity to undertake the work that lies ahead, I also think it’s time for me to step away from elected office, spend more time with my family, look for new ways to serve our state and nation. Therefore, I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection,” Nelson said in a video posted on YouTube, titled “What’s Next.” “Simply put, it’s time to move on.”

The 70-year-old Nelson was considered one of the most endangered Democratic incumbents this cycle. GOP-affiliated outside groups have already dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into TV ads bashing Nelson, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spent over $1 million on its own ad blitz to bolster his image.

 The White House and top Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Chuck Schumer of New York, had quietly mounted a pressure campaign to keep Nelson from retiring. Nelson has more than $3 million in his campaign war chest, and his approval rating solidified after falling over the past several years. Nelson can give unlimited amounts to the DSCC from his reelection fund, Democratic sources noted.

Michelle Malkin Notes:

The people of Nebraska whom he betrayed and embarrassed won’t be shedding any tears.

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The Cornhusker Kickback was not forgotten. Or forgiven.

As does Ed Morrissey:

There’s a reason for that shutout in federal offices; Nebraska went for John McCain in 2008 by 15 points and nearly 140,000 votes in a race that Obama won by seven points nationally.  After ObamaCare and the betrayal of Nebraskans by supposedly conservative Democrat Ben Nelson, it’s very likely that it will take a long time for Nebraskans to trust a Democrat to be conservative and pro-life in Washington again.

If it makes any difference at all, the Kos kids are not that worried about him leaving either, some of them are calling him a Republican-lite. So, obviously, he did not have many fans anywhere.

The blogger round up is here, and it is quite interesting to say the least.

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Pat in Michigan Blog’s here.

Tags: Democrats, health care, obama, obamacare, politics