McCook Daily Gazette: Column: : Feeling the heat in Washington?

The weather was in the 30s in Washington D.C. this morning, but Sen. Ben Nelson shouldn't have had any trouble feeling the heat, so to speak.

If the blogs were to be believed, he had been threatened by the White House with the closing of Offutt Air Force base, with its 10,000 jobs and $2 billion impact on Nebraska's economy, if he didn't supply the 60th vote for the Senate's health care bill.

On the other hand, according to right-wing blogs, he was offered $300-500 million in "earmarks" for spending in Nebraska if he does play along.

We don't know if there's any truth to the stories, or if the threats or promises were as blatant as indicated.

But we do know the federal base-closing commission meets again in 2013, and Offutt, despite scoring well in evaluations, was passed over for two new Air Force commands earlier this year.

We also know that anyone who has followed Chicago politics for any time wouldn't put such tactics past someone trained in that school.

We agree with the Open Forum writer on today's Opinion page, who said "I think he is an honest man who's trying to do the best he can."

What's best for Nebraska?

For now, it's up to our senator to decide.

you're welcome.

-- Posted by arrowhead on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 2:02 PM

Senator Ben is now under the gun. He has integrity, honesty, and strength, I pray enough to parry the pressures of politics.

We can only offer support for his protecting us, even at the cost of Offutt. Should Offutt Base be closed, we will then know how underhanded our present Administration can be, to bend people to the will of the 'Few.'

Stand Tall, and Strong, Ben. If you relent, they will crush you anyhow, just for making them angry.

Ask Jesus, He has more strength to impart, than you need, my friend. Merry Christmas, and Happy Chanukkah. Arley Steinhour

-- Posted by Navyblue on Thu, Dec 17, 2009, at 5:36 PM

It's too bad the original author here never bothered to do the research to find out this was a bogus story beginning to end.I'm amused that that author will claim innocence of the "truth" of the matter, but report it anyway as if gospel. Wingnut tactics through and through as practiced by the "right wing" blogs the author cites.Just about the only truthful part of the whole reportage.Now if only I could be sure that former insurance commissioner ben actually had any feeling for those people without resort to halth coverage of any kind.

-- Posted by davis_x_machina on Fri, Dec 18, 2009, at 2:44 PM