Ben Nelson, point man or token Democrat?

Well, comes as no surprise with the way things have been in the Senate, Rogers-Brown was confirmed as a judge to the US District Court of Appeals. What did surprise me though is that Ben Nelson, NE, voted for her. He was the lone Democrat to do so. He didn't vote yea for Owen though.

Makes no sense as he had announced he was going to vote no for Owen yet hadn't made up his mind on Rogers-Brown, Owen was at least a highly qualified candidate, Rogers-Brown isnt. So that brings the question to mind, as part of the compromise deal that he is stated to have been the Democratic brains behind did he agree that at least one Democrat would vote so it was "bi-partisan" or what? For the Owen vote two Democrats voted yea, Landrieu and Byrd; one Republican voted no, Chafee, with Stevens only voting "present" so his vote did not count yea or nay. However today, not one single Republican voted no.

The "or what" part makes you think why if that was not the case would he vote for Rogers-Brown?

Cloture was agreed to for Pryor as well. Supposedly the Democrats don't support him being confirmed either, however if the votes go like they did today, Pryor will be confirmed as well. Nelson voted to agree to Cloture today, ten other Democrats agree to this so it was decided 67-32. (Jeffords the lone Independent didn't vote today on either Cloture for Pryor or Rogers-Brown) There are some issues with Pryor but not at the level of Rogers-Brown.

So once again, formally now that the vote for Rogers-Brown is over.....I was wrong....I had more faith in the Republicans and the Democrats on this one than proved to be true.