The Game is afoot: Ben Nelson gets GOP challenger for '12

[WI_DEM]

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) announced this morning that he would form an exploratory committee for the 2012 U.S. Senate election to challenge Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), the Omaha World Herald reports.

His announcement came a day after Gov. Dave Heineman (R) said that he would skip the race and serve his full four-year term as governor.

The news is also insurance for Senate Democrats who worry Nelson might switch parties. With Bruning already in the race, it's unlikely Nelson could win a GOP primary.

http://politicalwire.com/

[CakeGrrl]

1. Let Blanche Lincoln be a lesson to him and the other Blue Dogs

Between the Blue Dog and a real Repub, they'll probably go with the real thing.

So does he stop straddling the fence and act more in accordance with his stated party affiliation?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. That "lesson" might ring rather hollow.

He's already been re-elected and it's not like he's been moving in either direction since his first term.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Now he needs a progressive challenger for the left side.

And oust him - And see if Harry S was right.

[littlewolf]

4. +1

[Jennicut]

3. Ben Nelson' s seat is probably the most vulnerable seat in the Senate for Dems.

He is such a toad, he will try hard to be as conservadem as possible. It won't work for him. I all for a primary against Mr. Nelson but I don't know Nebraska politics well.

[Joanne98]

5. He needs a PRIMARY challenge. Who can we run. I want to give money now!

[bigdarryl]

6. HEY Nelson how's that conservatism working out for you

[ellenfl]

7. even if he wins, he can still switch parties. eom

[AlinPA]

8. He will lose. People will vote for the real republican instead of one who acts like one most of the

time.

[FBaggins]

9. My goodness... this guy is younger than I am.

42 leaves a really long time to leverage incumbency in uber-red NE.

They're trying to nudge him into announcing retirement before things have a chance to improve (and take his re-elect chances with them)

[TwilightGardener]

10. Bruning had to step aside for Mike Johanns in 2008--guess it's his turn, as

Repubs like to do.

[countrydad58]

12. Bye Benny!

Take your fat whiskey nose & bad hair piece with you. You traitor piece of shit!

[rasputin1952]

13. I'm out here in NE and worked my ass off to get Nelson re-elected...

now I am ashamed. The debacle over HCR destroyed all credibility the man had with me.

He told us he would not run again, recently I wrote him and told him if he was on the ballot, I would simply not vote for a Senator, (I sure as hell wouldn't vote for an R!...then again, at times it seems like I worked for one...:( )

AFAIC, he's an embarrassment tot he D's and to the state.