Cornhusker Kick-Out: Ben Nelson Announcing Retirement

This isn't as big of a deal as it seems -- he was doomed anyway, pretty much. He's just recognizing the inevitable.

He can either go through an arduous and expensive campaign and then not be senator in 2013 or he can not go through that process and then not be senator. Either way, he's not going to be senator.

Politico spins this a "major blow" to Democrats' chances to hold the Senate. Still, the Democrats did want him to run:

The White House and top Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), had quietly mounted a pressure campaign to keep Nelson from retiring. Nelson has more than $3 million in his campaign war chest, and his approval rating solidified after falling over the last several years.

But with Nelson stepping down, the Democrats’ hold on the Senate is in serious doubt, although Democratic leaders believe they can still do so. Republicans are expected to pick up control of the Cornhusker State seat, although popular former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D) has been talking to top Democrats about possibly running again.

posted by Ace at 01:44 PM

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