by Tom Nugent

Independent-Minded Senator Nelson Refuses To

Follow “The Party Line”

22 fall2008

One morning in February of 2004, a silver-haired man in a carefully buttoned-down, pin-striped suit came hurrying along Independence Avenue toward the main entrance of

the graceful old Sam Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill. The gentleman’s name was Nelson – Earl Benjamin Nelson

– and he was about to attend an urgent meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Peter Pace.

As he walked swiftly past the two giant marble statues that flank the front steps of the congressional office building (“Spirit of Justice” and “Majesty of Law”), the 63-year-old Nebraskan in the conservative business suit took a quick look at his watch.

Today’s meeting would be crucially important, and Ben Nelson (BA ’63; MA ’65; JD ’70) didn’t want to be late. Moving quickly, he boarded an elevator in the crowded lobby for the brief ride up to “HR-2118” – the large, austerely furnished conference room where the meeting of minds between the U.S. Pentagon and the U.S. Senate was about to take place.

Along with about two dozen of his colleagues, Nebraska’s junior senator was taking part in a key hearing of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. Eleven months after the invasion of Baghdad, this special session had been called so that the senators could grill the military brass about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iraq.

Nelson, an independent-minded lawmaker from a mostly Republican state, was eager to pose a difficult question that had been gnawing at him for several weeks. And when the moment finally came – about halfway through a tense committee hearing chaired by Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia – the Nebraskan was ready.

“Mr. Secretary,” he told Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who would eventually be forced out of office by the increasingly unpopular war, “it’s a pleasure to be able to recognize the men and women in the military and the wonderful job they do. It’s also a sobering experience for my colleagues and I to call the parents, the spouses of those who have been lost in Iraq.

“My question today is going to be a basic question.”Now the crowded hearing room fell silent, as the large gathering

of senators, staffers and news reporters leaned forward to hear what Ben Nelson had on his mind.

They didn’t have long to wait.“General Pace,” said the steely-eyed legislator from small-town

McCook, after switching his gaze from the DOD secretary to the ramrod-stiff Marine Corps general, “last November I asked acting Secretary of the Army [Les] Brownlee when every soldier in Iraq would be equipped with the most advanced body armor. I asked this question after a constituent called my office to complain that his son was conducting house-to-house searches in Iraq and still wearing Kevlar [an outmoded type of body armor].

“Secretary Brownlee said that all troops in Iraq would have the advanced body armor by December. My question, of course, is do you know if this is now the case?”

General Pace didn’t hesitate: “Sir, it is the case. In fact, it was January, last month, that 100 percent of DOD military and

civilians in Iraq had been issued … the advanced body armor. And as we rotate the force, before they go into Iraq, the new troops will have issued to them the new body armor. … So we have met the objective, and we will be able to ensure that everyone continues to have it as they enter this country.”

Nelson listened carefully to all of this – and his somber expression never changed. As the official transcript of the 2004 hearing makes clear, the no-nonsense lawmaker was having some difficulty believing the story he’d just been told.

SEN. BEN NELSON: Well, I now hear that the 1057th Transportation Company, part of the 37th Theater Company, isn’t outfitted with advanced body armor. They have some newer vests, but not the insert of the body armor. And their mission, as you may know, is the transportation of supplies and personnel into southern Iraq, which then also takes them into harm’s way on a very regular basis. Do you know whether they have – or can you look into that, if you don’t know whether they have it by now?

NEBRASKAMAGAZINE 23

often causes the system to break down in Washington.“I do think I have a knack for being able to reach out to other

people and for getting them to work together on problems. When I was governor, my theme was ‘One Nebraska,’ and that approach helped us to achieve balanced budgets and huge fiscal surpluses and lots of other benefits for the good people of our state.

“After nearly 20 years in politics, I’m absolutely convinced that when we put aside our differences for the common good, that’s when positive things really begin to happen in this great country.”

He means it, too. Talk to Nelson’s colleagues on the Hill, and they’ll tell you that this maverick legislator – often described as “the most conservative Democrat in the Senate” – has a rare ability to inspire compromise among political adversaries. “Ben Nelson represents how Washington should work,” says no less a figure than Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-Ill.), “and he often reaches across the aisle to make progress where there is common ground.

“He understands that Americans in the heartland do not believe the country is divided into red states and blue states, and that they are ready to unite around a common purpose to bring the change we so desperately need. Ben Nelson is a terrific senator and a close friend – and I think the people of Nebraska are fortunate to have him representing them in Washington.”

REFUSING TO ADOPT THE PARTY LINESo how does a lifelong Democrat with a reputation for

independent thinking first win two terms as governor of an overwhelmingly “red” state and then go on to become one of the most popular senators in Nebraska history?

Ask that intriguing question of Ben Nelson, and the feisty insurance lawyer from McCook will tell you that “political labels don’t really matter much to Nebraskans – but what does matter is character and trust and electing somebody that you know shares your values about family and integrity and honesty in government.”

Frequently described as an “independent centrist” by the editorial writers at the Lincoln Journal Star – and as a “consensus builder with a rare ability to cross party lines” by his colleagues on the Hill – the laid-back and usually soft-spoken Nelson today

ranks easily as one of the most unusual figures in the U.S. Senate. A remarkable survivor of the political wars (he won the Nebraska Democratic primary for governor in his first election by the razor-thin margin of exactly 42 votes), the dapper lawmaker has often stunned the pundits by walking away with election victories that at first seemed impossible to achieve.

In 2000, for example, after spending eight politically controversial but fiscally successful years in the governor’s mansion, the indefatigable campaigner ran for the seat of retiring senator Bob Kerrey (Nebraska’s other recent Democratic superstar) … and was elected in spite of the fact that George W. Bush carried the Cornhusker State that year by a whopping 62 percent.

Six years later, after establishing a statewide reputation as a can-do Washington insider and a key player in the senate’s 20-member “Centrist Coalition,” the endlessly pragmatic and practical-minded Nelson could point proudly to his record as a powerfully effective defender of Nebraska’s farmers, among other accomplishments.

But bringing home the agricultural bacon wasn’t the only service Nelson provided for his constituents. By standing tall on abortion (he’s opposed, in most cases),

stem cell research (also opposed) and gay marriage (you

GEN. PACE: Sure. I will find out specifically whether or not every soldier in that unit has currently that. I can tell you for a fact that there are sufficient sets in Kuwait and in Iraq to have every single service member and DOD civilian have their own personal set. And it is the plan, as they rotate, to ensure that each gets a set before they go in. But I will find out on that unit.

As he listened to the general’s fervent assurances, Ben Nelson smiled for the first time that morning. And when the military commander had finally finished, the former UNL philosophy major did his best to smooth any ruffled feelings among the many brass hats in the startled hearing room.

“I know that all of you are committed to the best protection for our men and women in uniform,” he told the Pentagon honchos, “and [that] you could appreciate the fact that when a call comes in from a parent concerned about the safety of his son or daughter, that that’s a matter of critical interest, as well it should be.”

Then, with another soothing smile: “I’ll communicate that information back to that very concerned parent.”

AMONG HIS BIGGEST FANS: HIS CONSTITUENTSFor the two-term Democratic senator and former Nebraska

governor (1991-99), that Armed Services Committee hearing in the winter of 2004 remains a classic example of his “mission” as a federal lawmaker: “To serve as a uniter and not a divider, and to find down-to-earth, common-sense solutions for the pressing problems that we face as a nation in the 21st Century – by looking for compromise rather than confrontation.

“There are a lot of problem-creators out there, but there’s probably no greater talent than to be a problem-solver,” says Nelson, who continues in 2008 to rank as the “most popular” U.S. Senator among his own constituents (with a 73-percent approval rating, according to Survey USA).

“I’ve spent a great deal of my time in Washington trying to find a way to solve problems,” adds this strait-laced but affable Democrat, when you ask him to reflect on his goals in the 110th Congress. “It isn’t easy at times, but I can usually find a way to come up with a solution to a problem by bringing people together, rather than by engaging in the kind of destructive partisan politics that so

24 fall2008

guessed it), the staunchly conservative Democrat proved he could get Nebraskans to vote for him in large numbers, regardless of his party affiliation.

Make no mistake: the maverick from McCook goes his own way. On more than a few occasions, in fact, Nelson’s ready willingness to buck the Democratic leadership in the senate has left his own mystified colleagues scratching their heads and asking themselves: Is this guy really one of us? Case in point: Only a year or so ago, the laconic legislator (“I’m not as straight as I seem, but I’m pretty straight”) thoroughly ticked off senate Majority leader Harry reid (D-Nev.) and the rest of the Democratic brass by becoming one of only two Dems to vote against his party’s groundbreaking resolution to bring most U.s. combat troops home from Iraq before the end of 2008.

While the party leaders fumed over Nelson’s betrayal of their effort to shut down “Bush’s war” (the measure eventually failed), the Nebraskan continued to insist that he wanted to see a “smooth transition” of power in Baghdad … and that “tying the hands of the president and the military” was “sending the wrong signal” to America’s enemies in that war-torn country and elsewhere around the world.

The Nelson vote on Iraq withdrawal rankled the party leadership – but it was hardly the first time he’s staged a one-man rebellion among the Democratic cadres who have controlled the senate (if barely) since their massive election-sweep of November 2006.

Whether he’s voting in favor of Bush corporate tax cuts, or against the Democratic party line on abortion as a stalwart “pro-life” advocate, or opposing his own party leadership on stem cell research (he sees it as an attack on the sanctity of human life), Ben Nelson simply refuses to toe the line as a good Democratic soldier who does what he’s told.

strangely enough, he also seems to get away with it, for the most part. But how? Ask hm to account for his unlikely survival in the rough-and-tumble world of national politics, and he’ll simply shrug his shoulders and shake his silvery head.

“you hear a lot these days about how partisan everything has become in Washington,” he will tell you with a quiet smile, “but you know what? Deep down, I think most people in Congress actually respect integrity and honesty and loyalty to your constituents more than they do party loyalty and partisan politics.

“If you vote on issues the way your conscience tells you to vote – and not on the basis of mere party politics – I think you’ll end up with the respect of your constituents and your colleagues in the legislative branch. That’s the approach I’ve always taken, and so far, it seems to have worked out pretty well.”

MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE DON’T CALL ME ‘NELLIE’He grew up as an only child in small-town McCook (population:

7,994), where his father worked for the local electric company as a lineman and later as a supervisor. A descendant of the hard-working “scotch-Irish” pioneers who first settled the Appalachians in the 1700s and then migrated west to help tame the American frontier, Nelson likes to brag that he “had four different paper routes going by the age of 13.”

“I rode around on a beat-up old schwinn bike,” he says with a chuckle of nostalgia, “and I delivered the Denver Post in the morning and the McCook Gazette at night. And I also had two different weeklies that I was delivering all around town; I mean, I rolled in the dough!”

remarkably focused and determined, Nelson pushed himself to become an Eagle scout while also earning top grades in high

And Now For Something Completely Different …Ben Nelson Sings Country N’ Westernby tom nugentever watched a rock-ribbed, conservative u.s. senator belt out a guitar-twanging, country n’ western tune?now you can.the tune is called “Western town,” and the twanger is none other than nebraska Democratic senator ben nelson, who two years ago sent shock waves through the entertainment world by recording and then releasing a remarkably schmaltzy ballad about the joys of growing up in the bucolic environs of mccook, neb. Grew up in this western town In Nebraska. I’m a-goin’ home where the buffalo roam, So I can see my next of kin … I’m a-goin’ back to see my Uncle Jack. But most of all, I can’t wait to see My Momma’s lovin’ arms.so how did nebraska’s junior senator wind up crooning a country ballad? according to the 67-year-old nelson, the soulful ditty was actually written by omaha songwriter Karen sokolof Javitch for a “celebrity cD” (released in 2006) that was sold to raise funds for a nebraska nonprofit health organization. soon after the cD release, the producer of an obscure hollywood film – “out of omaha” – obtained permission from the songwriter to play the nelson version of the tune over the movie’s closing credits. in the recording (for which nelson received no compensation of any kind), the mccook native loudly sings the praises of small-town life in the cornhusker state.

nelson says he greatly enjoyed making “Western town” – while also pointing out that he was “actually following in the footsteps” of utah republican senator orrin hatch, who gained fleeting fame a few years ago by knocking out a nifty show tune in the blockbuster movie hit “ocean’s 12.”asked about his motivation in recording “Western town,” nelson told cnn: “i’m hoping this will really ignite my career. i’m hoping i can get a metamucil commercial or something.”although the immaculately groomed and staunchly conservative lawmaker surprised many of his constituents by bursting into song about the charms of mccook (to watch him perform “Western town,” log onto www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3X_ihslous), nelson actually has a long-established reputation on capitol hill for engaging in such unpredictable antics. example: an avid fan of the rolling stones, the unflappable nelson until quite recently maintained a link to one of their smash rock-hits (“factory Girl”) on his official congressional Web site. and he still brags to friends about that glorious night (Jan. 29, 2006) when he scored a pair of tickets to the first live stones’ concert held in omaha in 40 years – and then caught their explosive rock n’ roll act in person.

the puckish “benator,” as his staffers like to call him, is also a notorious practical joker who’s been known to grab a senate colleague’s suit jacket as he steps aboard the private senate elevator … making the victim think he’s somehow gotten hung up in the lift-machinery.“i did that to [senator] bill nelson [D-fla.],” the benator told Washington reporters recently, “and he yelled: ‘i’m caught in the door! i’m caught in the door!’“he’s been threatening to get even with me ever since.”

NEBraskaMAGAZINE 25

tools, says press aide David DiMartino, is actually his highly developed sense of humor. “A lot of people don’t realize it at first,” notes the veteran congressional staffer, “but Ben is actually quite laid-back and funny. He seems strait-laced at first … but you soon discover that underneath all that, he’s got a terrific sense of humor.

“He’s very serious about his work in the senate, of course, but he never takes himself seriously … and in this town, I think that counts for a lot.”

Spend an hour or so with Ben Nelson, and you’ll see flashes of his dry sense of humor every so often … as he talks about his life in Omaha with spouse Diane, his struggles to raise his four adult children, and his three grandkids. You’ll also come away with an unexpected insight – senator or not, this guy is having a whole lot of fun – as he talks enthusiastically about everything from his successful hunter’s quest to nail “all six varieties of wild turkey in North America” to his recent (and also successful) battle to get the President of the United States to stop calling him “Nellie.”

“He didn’t mean it disrespectfully,” says the maverick, with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, “but he was constantly referring to me as ‘Nellie,’ and I finally had to negotiate with him over it. He said, ‘What’s wrong with Nellie – think about Nellie Fox [the all-star pro baseball player],’ and I said, ‘Okay, but most people think “Whoa, Nellie!” when they hear that name, and it’s just not dignified, Mr. President.’

“Well, we negotiated on it for quite a while, and he finally agreed to call me ‘The Benator’ instead of ‘Nellie,’ and I told him I could live with that. We had a lot of fun going back and forth with it – and we proved once again that negotiating with your opponents on key issues really does work.” n

school. By the time he arrived on the UNL campus in the fall of 1959, he was already so successful that he could afford to drive a “brand-new car,” even while paying his own way through college. But he was also a devout Christian lay minister – “I was very, very straight!” – who spent many of his weekends riding trains from Lincoln to preach in small-town churches scattered far out in the Nebraska hinterland.

A philosophy major at UNL (he later earned a master’s in the subject), Nelson says he was “very fortunate to have Professor Cedric Evans as a mentor, because he spent almost every class asking the students tough questions, and I took to that like a duck to water. He’d walk into the classroom, and he’d ask us: Okay, what is good? He was trying to make you think, and I liked his approach so much that I later became his graduate student for a while. And I’m still grateful to him today, because he left us with an extremely important gift: He taught us how to think for ourselves.”

After earning his law degree in Lincoln in 1970, Nelson went on to become an influential Nebraska insurance attorney and eventually the director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance (1975-76) before deciding to make his unlikely-seeming run for the governor’s mansion back in 1990. After winning one of the closest primary races in the state’s history, he established a growing reputation as a fiscal conservative whose balanced budgets and hefty surpluses over two terms made him a symbol for financial rectitude and helped boost him into the U.S. Senate in 2000.

Since his election, Ben Nelson has gained a growing Washington reputation as a remarkably effective senator who knows how to hammer out useful compromises among the jumbo-sized political egos that surround him on Capitol Hill. One of his most effective

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26 fall2008