TPMDC
Nelson: 'I Don't Know' If I Could Support A Health Care Bill Without Snowe
Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 12:54PM
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)
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Speaking to reporters moments ago, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) addressed yesterday's vote in the Senate Finance Committee with words of support for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)--the only Republican who agreed to vote Sen. Max Baucus' health care bill out of committee. Nelson described it as a "courageous vote on her part to speak her mind when she thinks it's best to move the process forward."
There's been a flood of speculation in the past 24 hours about the possibility that Snowe's vote might now become the glue that keeps conservative Democrats on board with the reform process. I asked Nelson whether he could imagine voting for a bill that does not have Snowe's support. Nelson didn't answer one way or another--but without saying yes or no, Nelson indicated that her final position will weigh heavily on members like him.
"I don't know. That's a good question. I have to see everything before I can really say what I would do."
Last night, Nelson and Snowe shared spot. No. 22 on GQ Magazine's "Most Powerful People" in Washington list. TPMDC caught up with Nelson, who said now the "spotlight" was off his friend Snowe, he knows where it has landed.
"I know who it's going to be on next," he said.
"I will be a team player," Nelson told TPMDC, with one condition: Democrats must be careful not to tack too far to the left when the health care bill reaches the floor.
Additional reporting by Christina Bellantoni
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VivaAmerica!
October 14, 2009 12:56 PM
You're a real DICK, you know that?
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freaktown
October 14, 2009 1:00 PM
why? the voters of nebraska sent you to the senate, not olympia snowe.
this guy needs a spine. seriously. he never fails to find some reason NOT to do something important.
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Ann Arbor
October 14, 2009 1:04 PM
For God's sake, Ben, grow a pair. It's only the success or failure of the president from your party that's riding on this.
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Stroszek
October 14, 2009 1:07 PM
Senator Olympia Snowe (R - Maine, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota)
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blmack
October 14, 2009 1:14 PM
Ben then went on to say, "Also, I'll need to get my wife's permission for whichever way I'm going to vote."
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Lynn Dee
October 14, 2009 1:45 PM
Snow cover.
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Steve LaBonne
October 14, 2009 1:50 PM in reply to Lynn Dee
Snow job, more like.
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Obama1st
October 14, 2009 1:53 PM
Snow, Nelson and Collins are not really in the game except for cover to go w/out the public option coming out of the Senate. Regardless of any statements or positions they take, the true bottom line is that it is Obama's bill from here on out. The reality is that in everyway from here it gets harder and next to impossible to do real reform. Combining the two senate is best and easiest way to get the job done. Obama will either push for or kill real reform. Here we go for a truly a moment to see which Obama will go...
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dougom
October 14, 2009 1:55 PM
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brewmn61
October 14, 2009 1:55 PM
You don't have to vote for the bill, Ben. you just need to vote with your party procedurally.
will people please stop asking this buffoon what he thinks? It only encourages him.
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neesy08
October 14, 2009 2:34 PM
what does he need snowe for. to hold his hand. or to do something i cannot post here? the voters of nebraska want them to do what is right for them. that is just another excuse to not vote on the bill. nelson is a ass!
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chimpale
October 14, 2009 2:47 PM
Apparently, Sen. Snowe owns Sen. Nelson's balls.
Yeah, you want to be careful not to tack to far to the left where that 60-80% of the country is on the public option.
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Jaybird
October 14, 2009 2:53 PM
I couldn't possibly stop myself from jumping off that bridge. Well, unless Senator Snowe somehow stoped herself from jumping off the bridge. Then I might consider it.
Because I'm a pussy.
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JohnAH
October 14, 2009 3:14 PM
What happened to the idea that these men and women vote for what they think is right and not what their friends vote for or even what they can "sell" back home?
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Tanjaoui
October 14, 2009 3:40 PM
Do we need Snowe's vote to overcome a filibuster? Is that what this is all about?
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randomname
October 14, 2009 5:39 PM
WHY??????? Does he not have a brain? Does he not think for himself? Does she take him to the bathroom, too?
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afisher
October 15, 2009 7:06 AM
As I am not one of his constituents...I would love to hear what Nebraskan's think about his comments. To the run of the mill person, they sound inane.
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