should nebraska democrats try to convince Bob Kerrey to primary Ben Nelson?

[freepcrusher]

Nelson seems to have an uphill battle for re-election in 2012. Bob Kerrey was far more popular than Nelson (he survived the 1994 senate election). Kerrey couldn't lose an election if he tried. Should democrats get him to primary Nelson similar to Phillip Hayes challenging Hartke in 1976 or Halter challenging Lincoln in 2010?

[Badger]

Nelson seems to have an uphill battle for re-election in 2012. Bob Kerrey was far more popular than Nelson (he survived the 1994 senate election). Kerrey couldn't lose an election if he tried. Should democrats get him to primary Nelson similar to Phillip Hayes challenging Hartke in 1976 or Halter challenging Lincoln in 2010?

Kerry has been in NY for almost a decade and been out of office even longer. I'm not familiar with NE politics but I have a hard time seeing him having a sufficient political base to win in 2012 Nebraska. A primary there wouldn't help in keeping the seat.

[Niemeyerite]

Ben Nelson doesn't deserve that. He is as good as we can have from a nebraska's senator =). Bob Kerrey would loose in a landslide in today's nebraska. Nelson could still make the race competitive.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Ben Nelson doesn't deserve that. He is as good as we can have from a nebraska's senator =). Bob Kerrey would loose in a landslide in today's nebraska. Nelson could still make the race competitive.

This

[freepcrusher]

Bob Kerrey would loose in a landslide in today's nebraska. Nelson could still make the race competitive.

Bob Kerrey never lost an election he ran in statewide as either governor or senator. Even in a bad year like 1994, he still defeated his opponent by around ten points. When he was in office, Nebraska (in national elections) was just as republican, if not more.

[Smash255]

Bob Kerrey would loose in a landslide in today's nebraska. Nelson could still make the race competitive.

Bob Kerrey never lost an election he ran in statewide as either governor or senator. Even in a bad year like 1994, he still defeated his opponent by around ten points. When he was in office, Nebraska (in national elections) was just as republican, if not more.

True, but we have even more polarization now when it comes towards Senate elections.  I also think he has been out of office, out of the spotlight and out of the state for too long.  If he were to run I would probably pull for him over Nelson, but while I'm not a fan of Nelson I'm also realistic, considering the state it is probably the best we could hope for.  Now granted the GOP nominates someone like Pain or Bachmann at the top of the ticket all bets are off.

[Niemeyerite]

Bob Kerrey would loose in a landslide in today's nebraska. Nelson could still make the race competitive.

Bob Kerrey never lost an election he ran in statewide as either governor or senator. Even in a bad year like 1994, he still defeated his opponent by around ten points. When he was in office, Nebraska (in national elections) was just as republican, if not more.

True, but we have even more polarization now when it comes towards Senate elections.  I also think he has been out of office, out of the spotlight and out of the state for too long.  If he were to run I would probably pull for him over Nelson, but while I'm not a fan of Nelson I'm also realistic, considering the state it is probably the best we could hope for.  Now granted the GOP nominates someone like Pain or Bachmann at the top of the ticket all bets are off.

exactly that. also, teabaggers would play the "liberal" card against kerrey. rememberthat kerrey was a moderate-to-liberal senator. and I think Kerrey has worked as a lobbyst. definitely, he would be unelectable if he ran in nebraska in 2012...

[freepcrusher]

True, but we have even more polarization now when it comes towards Senate elections.

What can change between 1994 and 2012? Its only been eighteen years. When it comes to polarization in senate elections, I don't think there's much of a difference between then and now.

[rbt48]

If Kerrey wanted to run, there would not be a primary.  He would only agree to run if Nelson agreed to step down.  They are both loyal to the growth of the Democratic party in Nebraska and would not jeopardize this goal by running against eachother.

[Chief Justice PiT]

True, but we have even more polarization now when it comes towards Senate elections.

What can change between 1994 and 2012? Its only been eighteen years. When it comes to polarization in senate elections, I don't think there's much of a difference between then and now.

     What sort of question is that? Eighteen years is an eternity in politics.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Nelson seems to have an uphill battle for re-election in 2012. Bob Kerrey was far more popular than Nelson (he survived the 1994 senate election). Kerrey couldn't lose an election if he tried. Should democrats get him to primary Nelson similar to Phillip Hayes challenging Hartke in 1976 or Halter challenging Lincoln in 2010?

Yes, Kerrey survived 1994 reelection, but very same year Nelson got reelected as Governor with a biggest margin in Nebraska history. And he was a Democrat in a freaking 1994.

Plus, Kerrey has been out of office for over ten years.

[freepcrusher]

Yes, Kerrey survived 1994 reelection, but very same year Nelson got reelected as Governor with a biggest margin in Nebraska history. And he was a Democrat in a freaking 1994.

Plus, Kerrey has been out of office for over ten years.

I forgot about that. So that begs the question. If Nelson could survive 1994, why is he supposed to have such a tough re-election in 2012?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Yes, Kerrey survived 1994 reelection, but very same year Nelson got reelected as Governor with a biggest margin in Nebraska history. And he was a Democrat in a freaking 1994.

Plus, Kerrey has been out of office for over ten years.

I forgot about that. So that begs the question. If Nelson could survive 1994, why is he supposed to have such a tough re-election in 2012?

Also, despite his great popularity Governor Nelson lost 1996 Senate bid, he was thought to win in a walk, to underdog named Chuck Hagel. And by pretty huge margin.

What I've been always saying. Being a popular Democratic Governor in a Republican state (or popular Republican Governor in Democratic state) doesn't mean you'd have as easy in congressional election. Ask Bill Weld, for example. And Nelson? Nelson might had that luck, but a lot of things changed since 1994 and that doesn't look good for him.

[freepcrusher]

Also, despite his great popularity Governor Nelson lost 1996 Senate bid, he was thought to win in a walk, to underdog named Chuck Hagel. And by pretty huge margin.

^^^^ This. This is the reason I would think Kerrey would be a better choice. Unlike Nelson, Kerrey never lost any elections.

[Niemeyerite]

Also, despite his great popularity Governor Nelson lost 1996 Senate bid, he was thought to win in a walk, to underdog named Chuck Hagel. And by pretty huge margin.

^^^^ This. This is the reason I would think Kerrey would be a better choice. Unlike Nelson, Kerrey never lost any elections.

Kerrey didn't loose because he wasn't up for reelection this Century =/ ... Look at David Boren. do you really think he could win a senatorial election in today's oklahoma? I don't think so, and he's incredibly popular.

[Brittain33]

Kerrey is not reviving his political career in Nebraska. He's been in New York for far too long.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Also, despite his great popularity Governor Nelson lost 1996 Senate bid, he was thought to win in a walk, to underdog named Chuck Hagel. And by pretty huge margin.

^^^^ This. This is the reason I would think Kerrey would be a better choice. Unlike Nelson, Kerrey never lost any elections.

Kerrey didn't loose because he wasn't up for reelection this Century =/ ... Look at David Boren. do you really think he could win a senatorial election in today's oklahoma? I don't think so, and he's incredibly popular.

And Howell Heflin now in Alabama, if he were alive. Would Fritz Hollings be relected in South Carolina now?

Beside, Kerrey lost all touch with his Nebraska constituency.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

God no, Nelson is one of the best Senate Democrats. It wouldn't help, either, as a primary would make it far harder for the Democrats in the general election, regardless of the nominee.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

God no, Nelson is one of the bestworst Senate Democrats. It wouldn't help, either, as a primary would make it far harder for the Democrats in the general election, regardless of the nominee.But still better than a generic Senate Republican.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

God no, Nelson is one of the bestworst Senate Democrats. It wouldn't help, either, as a primary would make it far harder for the Democrats in the general election, regardless of the nominee.But still better than a generic Senate Republican.

All right, I get why you think Nelson is one of the worst Senate Democrats, but do you really think a primary wouldn't make things worse for the Democrats in the general?

[Badger]

God no, Nelson is one of the bestworst Senate Democrats. It wouldn't help, either, as a primary would make it far harder for the Democrats in the general election, regardless of the nominee.But still better than a generic Senate Republican.

All right, I get why you think Nelson is one of the worst Senate Democrats, but do you really think a primary wouldn't make things worse for the Democrats in the general?

Kal and Officepark are both absolutely correct!

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

What's amazing is that Kerrey was one of only 13 nay votes on DOMA. Yeah, the argument that Ben Nelson is the best that we can do in Nebraska might have been a little stronger if his immediate predecessor wasn't more liberal.

[freepcrusher]

bump

Does anyone here think that living in New York as opposed to a more "real" state cost him re-election. Nebraskans probably think of New York as some kind of scary place with mean swarthy looking people and welfare chiselers.

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

Nebraskans probably think of New York as some kind of scary place with mean swarthy looking people and welfare chiselers.

If people from North Dakota don't think that way (and I can assure you they don't), I doubt people from Nebraska do.

[Badger]

Nebraskans probably think of New York as some kind of scary place with mean swarthy looking people and welfare chiselers.

If people from North Dakota don't think that way (and I can assure you they don't), I doubt people from Nebraska do.

Refresh my memory: What again makes a Twin Cities denizen like yourself such an expert on ND politics? Let alone knowing enough about NE to extrapolate alleged similarities.