Ben Nelson: Hey, maybe I’ll give back that ObamaCare bribe; Update: South Carolina AG to investigate ObamaCare deals

posted at 4:45 pm on December 22, 2009 by Allahpundit

Turns out Harry Reid just kind of forced the money into his hands, you see.

“Three senators came up to me just now on the (Senate) floor, and said, ‘Now we understand what you did. We’ll be seeking this funding too‘,” Nelson said.

But the Democratic senator, who has faced a heap of criticism for appearing to trade his vote on health care for millions in federal Medicaid money, said he’s considering asking that the Nebraska deal be stripped from the bill.

Though he defended the exemption as a “fair deal,” he said he never asked for the full federal funding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ended up granting his state. Nelson said he instead asked that states be allowed to refuse an expansion of Medicaid.

“This is the way Senate leadership chose to handle it. I never asked for 100 percent funding,” he said.

Nelson has maintained that the only reason he even brought up Medicaid was that Nebraska Republican Gov. Dave Heineman put him up to it.

See what happened here? This guy thought this was politics as usual, that the Medicaid stocking stuffer for Nebraska would cushion the blow of a yes on cloture. Instead it made him look like a bribe-peddler who’d vote for an awful bill and sell out on something as morally grave as abortion in return for a cheap earmark. (As Ed noted, even DNC TV feels clammy about it.) Worse, it gave all the other pigs the idea to come running to the trough, with Politico now hailing Nelson’s deal as something that will almost singlehandedly raise the bar for legislative buyoffs going forward. Never mind those “Joker” posters: When even a bridge-buildin’ RINO like Lindsey Graham is calling you “sleazy” on national television, the writing is on the wall. So now he’s trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Too late, too late.

Here’s his pal Tom Harkin using his own moment on national television to inform the hoi polloi that they shouldn’t sweat the “small stuff.” Click the image to watch.

harkin-small

Update: I doubt anything will come of this, but as anti-ObamaCare PR, it’s simply awesome. Godspeed, McMaster:

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said Tuesday that he intends to organize his counterparts in different states to investigate dealmaking that sealed a final compromise on federal health care legislation.

McMaster was asked by South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint review how Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson was able to spare his state higher Medicaid costs as the Democrat held out for perks for his state in the mammoth bill…

“In my judgment,“ said McMaster, “Democrats and Republicans alike from every state in the union should be outraged by this deal.”

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DevilDoc77 on December 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM

–The problem is that what Nelson did is not bribery. He didn’t take the money himself and he didn’t corruptly take it for someone else.

Jimbo3 on December 23, 2009 at 8:49 AM

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 8:41 AM

What really baffles me is I always gave Nelson credit for political savvy and astuteness. I never expected him to commit political seppuku, (hara-kiri) not in a million years.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 8:51 AM

I hearing that Obama and the Dems are looking for an historical moment and this health care nonsense is supposed to be it. It will be historical alright, Obama and fellow Dems will ring through history as the most brazenly corrupt Presidency so far.

jeanie on December 23, 2009 at 8:54 AM

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 8:45 AM

Nelson’s D.C. office machine is always full. Do you remember Nelson jumped down that man’s throat during the radio interview when the guy mentioned that no one could get through????? I’ve called the D.C. number every day since Friday at all times of the office hours and it is always full!

____

HotAir posters, call the Lincoln, Omaha, Scottsbluff, Kearney and South Sioux City numbers if you want to leave a message or fax a message to Ben Nelson to his offices.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

The problem is that what Nelson did is not bribery.

No, he exempted himself but took a bribe for all of his constituents. I wonder how they’re feeling about this.

jeanie on December 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

–The problem is that what Nelson did is not bribery.
Jimbo3 on December 23, 2009 at 8:49 AM

Betrayal of his constituents is even more heinously egregious to Nebraskans.
Judas is toast here.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Do you remember Nelson jumped down that man’s throat during the radio interview when the guy mentioned that no one could get through?????
yoda on December 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

Yes. We have long memories here. The shabby way he treated one of his constituents was reprehensible. We have very long memories here in Nebraska.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 8:59 AM

jeanie on December 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

Read the entire thread comments. There are constituents of Judas Iscariot Nelson who are active here.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:04 AM

Nelson vote steams some in McCook

By David Hendee
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
« Metro/Region

McCook’s city fathers managed to avoid getting scorched by the political firestorm swirling around the community’s favorite son.

It took some explaining to constituents who were upset about the way their hometown hero — Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat — voted Monday to cast the crucial 60th vote in the health care debate in the Senate.

Nelson’s vote happened to come on the same day that the McCook City Council voted to tweak the timing of sending payments to a sculptor for work on a bronze statue of Nelson.

Life-size bronzes depicting a teenage Nelson receiving his Boy Scout Eagle rank from his parents will be erected on the grounds of Nelson’s vacant boyhood home.

Nelson is one of four Nebraska governors who either grew up or lived in McCook, a southwest Nebraska community that was the home of the state’s most acclaimed politician, former U.S. Sen. George W. Norris.

Councilman Jerry Calvin said Nelson’s health care vote upset and angered some constituents.

“They felt betrayed,” he said.

He said some people had the mistaken belief that city funds were used for the sculpture.

“Not one penny of taxpayer money is involved,” Calvin said. “People were upset (with Nelson’s vote), but good golly, Miss Molly, let your emotions ride and then think with a clear mind.”

Mayor Dennis Berry said some residents wanted the council to delay the sculpture project. “But we stuck to our guns, approved it and moved on.”

The council faced similar opposition several months ago when it voted to rename the local airport “McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport” to honor the U.S. senator for his support of federal air service funding and other local initiatives.

That was before Nelson became the deciding vote on moving the health overhaul legislation ahead.

“To a few people, if you have the wrong letter behind your name,” as a Democrat or a Republican, “you’re bad,” Berry said.

The sculpture project is a gift from the McCook Foundation via the Nebraska Community Foundation.

The city acts as a pass-through agency for the funds. The agreement approved this week allows a $4,000 payment each time one of the three bronze figures is cast, instead of a $12,000 lump sum.

“We felt we needed to stress that this sculpture project was started long before Senator Nelson exercised his voting privileges (on health care) as a senator and had nothing whatsoever to do with the current situation,” Calvin said.

“It was a donation to the community. It stresses small-town life, the Boy Scouts and what you can accomplish with your life.”

The Nelson sculpture will be titled “On my honor.”

Laughable. Judas Iscariot Nelson the betrayer has no honor.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:25 AM

Here’s hoping that the people of Nebraska put this guy in the unemployment line. Also hoping that he’s so tainted politically that he’ll never be able to get another government gig ever. Is that asking too much?

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 9:29 AM

‘Omaha Stakes’ slam angers Nelson

By Joseph Morton
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
« Metro/Region

WASHINGTON — Say what you want about me, but leave the beef out of it.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., was presiding over the Senate chamber while his home-state colleague, Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and other senators engaged in a discussion on the floor. Johanns and the others were criticizing special deals included in the Senate health care bill.

Nelson announced his support for the bill only after striking an agreement that the federal government would cover the cost of the bill’s Medicaid expansion in Nebraska, forever. Other states will have to start covering a portion of the expansion’s cost in 2017.

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., cited an editorial critical of the deals that carried the headline: “Louisiana Purchase and Omaha Stakes.”

The reference to local company Omaha Steaks apparently got Nelson’s blood boiling, and he soon took the floor to deliver his own speech.

“I’m disappointed that this would be used, and misused in this fashion, not only derisively against a great company in Nebraska,” Nelson said.

He then said in reference to Johanns: “I’m also surprised that my colleague would participate in a (discussion) that would use the name of that company in such a manner.”

During discussions on the floor Tuesday, Johanns repeatedly criticized the Medicaid deal, saying that Nebraskans don’t want that kind of special treatment.

“They don’t want to be on the evening news every night, the talking heads talking about the ‘Cornhusker kickback’ or whatever it is, the latest terminology,” Johanns said. “They just want to be treated fairly.”

Nelson said on the floor that there is still plenty of time for other states to get the same deal that Nebraska is getting before they’re hit with the extra Medicaid costs.

“My colleague and others know that this is the case … but they choose to ignore it. They choose to ignore the facts,” Nelson said.

Bribes for everyone, all 57 states. Merry Christmas

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:38 AM

“They don’t want to be on the evening news every night, the talking heads talking about the ‘Cornhusker kickback’ or whatever it is, the latest terminology,” Johanns said. “They just want to be treated fairly.”

This steams us more than anything. To be thrust into the national spotlight, esp. in such a negative manner.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:41 AM

The only problem here is Ben Nelson has NO shame.
Its that simple.

ouldbollix on December 23, 2009 at 9:42 AM

This steams us more than anything. To be thrust into the national spotlight, esp. in such a negative manner.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:41 AM

Good! I want the whole country riled up and I want em to stay that way till election day…in 2012!

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Nelson said on the floor that there is still plenty of time for other states to get the same deal that Nebraska is getting before they’re hit with the extra Medicaid costs.

“My colleague and others know that this is the case … but they choose to ignore it. They choose to ignore the facts,” Nelson said.

Has anyone ever seen someone miss the point as badly as Nelson does here?

ladyingray on December 23, 2009 at 9:54 AM

OMG! Now Laura Ingraham is pounding Nelson and the Cornhusker Kickback.
Will it never end????

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Jimbo3 on December 23, 2009 at 8:49 AM

Nelson is an old insurance executive here in Nebraska and he’s got some provisions written in the bill for Mutual of Omaha and Nebraska Blue Shield. You can bet he still has stock in those insurance companies and got his nest feathered with his vote.

Bribery or corruption…..???? I say both!!!!

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Oh, Sen. Tom “I lied about my Vietnam War service” Harkin defend him. What a wonderful gift from a despicable individual who keeps getting reelected by the “people”. We are now hearing that this is not so unusual from so many quarters. If anyone thought these brigands needed to be reelected or respected, this should kill that belief. Tarring and feathering is too damn good for them.

amr on December 23, 2009 at 10:39 AM

“Cornhusker Crompromise”, “Cornhusker Kickback” — a couple of the names for the special deal Senator Ben Nelson cut in exchange for supporting the highly controversial Democratic Health Bill in the Senate. Now that deal — and others contained in the legislationl — are drawing increased criticism.

Seven attorneys general are collectively investigating the constitutionality of that deal that cut a funding break for Nebraska.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says he and his counterparts in Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, Texas and Washington state – all Republicans – are jointly taking a look at the deal they’ve dubbed the “Nebraska compromise.”

Republicans have singled out the deal Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson received in exchange for his vote for health care reform in the Senate. Nelson held out as fellow Democrats worked to get 60 votes, and the bill was amended to shield Nebraska from the expected $45 million annual cost tied to expanding Medicaid programs.

And as it turns out, the bill contains a number of sweetheart deals that have been cut for a number of Democratic Senators who have voted to move the bill forward. A number of political columnists Wednesday have taken aim at the process noting that it bumps up against and, perhaps, crosses ethical lines.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid has been unapologetic about the wheeling and dealing saying this is what legislating is all about.

Nebraska’s junior senator, Mike Johanns, called on the Senate Tuesday to strip the bill of all so-called “carve-outs”. Democrats immediately rejected the suggestion. Johanns questioned why, if the health care bill is as important and critical to the nation as Democrats have maintained, do so many of the Senate Democrats need special incentives to vote for it.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Wow. Check out this website I stumbled across.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Harry Reid to the rest of the country:

“Fugedaboutit”

BobMbx on December 23, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Call his office and tell him what you think. This is a minimal personal cost considering what is at stake. I

DC Office Tel: 1-202-224-6551 (voice mail box is full)
Nebraska Office: Tel: (402) 391-3411 (busy, but was able to get through after a couple of attempts)

I put his office on notice that his sellout was unacceptable and if he lets his vote stand and supports this bill I will do everything in my power to make sure he is defeated, including contributing time, money and resources and would be encouraging my family and friends to do the same.

Interestingly, they asked if I was from Nebraska and when I said no they asked what state I reside. I’m guessing he is getting quite a few calls.

R Square on December 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Interestingly, they asked if I was from Nebraska and when I said no they asked what state I reside. I’m guessing he is getting quite a few calls.

R Square on December 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

On behalf of every conservative and patriotic Nebraskan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless you and have a very Blessed Christmas.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Has anyone ever seen someone miss the point as badly as Nelson does here?

ladyingray on December 23, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Yep, pretty much every stinkin’ Democrat in both houses of congress on just about every issue that’s out there.

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Oh man. Mark S just opened up Rush’s show by saying every single Nebraskan gets to fly free to Geneva for hip replacement surgery whether we want it or not.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 12:09 PM

What a way to end your career!

At first I kind of felt sorry for him, but then I thought, oh what the hell.

jeff_from_mpls on December 23, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Governor Heineman on Greta last night.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

All Nelson’s lines are busy or phones are full except the Kearney office.

308-293-5818 and leave a message.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 12:55 PM

Callers give Nelson an earful.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM

National Sovereignty Symposium
Saturday, January 16, 2009
Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska
9:00

OC, just received this by e-mail by one of the organizers. Good person.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 1:32 PM

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Awesome. The 16th can’t come soon enough for me.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Mark Steyn is subbing for Rush and advising that we all meet Judas Iscariot Nelson at the airport when he he arrives and demand that he vote the will of his constituents.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Lots of speakers and breakout sessions…..never been to anything like this.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM

Lots of speakers and breakout sessions…..never been to anything like this.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM

Then you are going to have an exciting and thrilling experience. This is going to be a real treat for you, I guarantee it!

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM

If you go please take pitchfork, torch, tar and feathers. Always good to be prepared.

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 1:50 PM

Sorry, that last post was for

Mark Steyn is subbing for Rush and advising that we all meet Judas Iscariot Nelson at the airport when he he arrives and demand that he vote the will of his constituents.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM

Speakers Include:
State Senator Tony Fulton, NE
Rep. Brandon Creighton, TX
Rep. Charles Key, OK
Rep. Matt Shea, WA
Rep. Kent Sorenson, IA
Rep. Sam Rohrer, PA
Mr. Glenn Freeman, Constitutional Scholar
Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborne

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM

Oldnuke on December 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM

LOL! I knew what you meant. I live about a mile from the airport.

OmahaConservative on December 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM

National Sovereignty Symposium
Saturday, January 16, 2009
Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska
9:00

OC, just received this by e-mail by one of the organizers. Good person. – yoda

yoda…can you supply a link? I would like to attend. Thanks!

Gothguy on December 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM

Gothguy on December 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM

here

I like your site.

yoda on December 23, 2009 at 6:36 PM

Why thank you, yoda. Feel free to comment at any time!

Gothguy on December 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM

Why thank you, yoda. Feel free to comment at any time!

Gothguy on December 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM

I like it too.
Are you planning to attend?

OmahaConservative on December 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM

OmahaConservative on December 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM

Is there going to be a welcome party waiting for Traitor Ben?

Would be interesting to see if recalling a senator can be added to the 2010 ballot. Not sure of the cost, because it wouldn’t be a special election. We need to look into this with the Secretary of State. I didn’t ask that question when I called.

Did Omaha get a lot of snow? We did.

yoda on December 24, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Did Omaha get a lot of snow? We did.

yoda on December 24, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Not yet, it is supposed to come tonight. I went out at 7:30 and got the essentials to keep us through the blizzard. Whisky, eggnog and a French Silk Pie from Village Inn. Got the prime rib yesterday, and having crab salad sandwiches today for lunch with cheese broccoli soup.

Is there going to be a welcome party waiting for Traitor Ben?

It’s hard to figure out what flight he will come in on, so not sure yet.

Would be interesting to see if recalling a senator can be added to the 2010 ballot. Not sure of the cost, because it wouldn’t be a special election. We need to look into this with the Secretary of State. I didn’t ask that question when I called.

We need to get started on this Monday morning.

OmahaConservative on December 24, 2009 at 9:57 AM

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