Ben "Free Medicaid For Nebraska!" Nelson...No Civilian Trials For KSM Or Other Terrorists

I'm starting to get the idea that Ben Nelson really likes being a Senator and wants to be seen kicking Obama as much as possible for the next two plus years.

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson joined a bipartisan effort on Wednesday to block the administration from trying the Sept. 11th suspects in civilian courts. Nelson (Neb.) signed onto legislation offered by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) to require military commission trials for those suspects. Nelson made the announcement in a conference call with reporters, primarily citing the costs of security for the trials.

“I believe that given the severe costs and security risks associated with holding these trials in civilian court, the best course of action would be to use military commissions,” Nelson said. “When the Justice Department announced late last year that they intended to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the 9/11 co-conspirators in civilian courts in New York City there was an outcry about this plan and the effects and the costs it would inflict on New York and all Americans."

This was the second effort by Nelson to distance himself from Obama and Harry Reid. Yesterday he voted against Obama's idiotically pro-labor nominee to the NLRB.

It's funny but all those lamenting the death of bi-partisanship seem to ignore the cross aisle interest in killing these civilian trials. It's almost as if bi-partisan means Republicans caving into Democrats and not the other way around.

posted by DrewM. at 06:17 PM

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