WASHINGTON — If the U.S. Senate were a high school — and it sometimes feels that way — Ben Nelson's yearbook superlative would be “Most Likely To Vote Against His Party.”
The Nebraska lawmaker supported his fellow Democrats last year on just 54 percent of so-called “party unity” votes — those in which a majority of Democrats opposed a majority of Republicans. That's according to Congressional Quarterly's annual vote study, which was released Monday.
Nelson's score easily put him atop the party disloyalty list for senators from either side. The runner-up, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., still voted with his party 68 percent of the time.
Nelson also supported President Barack Obama just 75 percent of the time on votes in which the administration took a position — much lower than any other Senate Democrat.
Other Midlands lawmakers displayed more party loyalty.
Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Mike Johanns, R-Neb., both backed their party on 93 percent of “party unity” votes. Grassley supported Obama 42 percent of the time, Johanns 48 percent. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, backed his party 98 percent of the time and Obama 95 percent.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, voted 98 percent of the time with his fellow Republicans and supported President Obama 22 percent of the time. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., voted with his GOP colleagues 92 percent of the time and supported the president 29 percent. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., voted with other Republicans 97 percent and supported the president 26 percent.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., voted with his fellow Republicans 87 percent of the time and supported the Obama administration 29 percent.
In 2001, Nelson's first year in the Senate, he voted with his party 58 percent of the time. That figure fell to a low of 36 percent in 2006, when Nelson was running for re-election. It shot back to 70 percent the following year.
Nelson said he simply weighs the merits of particular proposal whenever he casts a vote — that it's not about siding with one party or the other. He also said it's difficult to compare percentages year to year because they reflect votes on different issues.
Nelson said his focus in 2010 was on creating jobs and reducing the deficit by cutting spending and that while he and fellow Democrats have similar goals, they can have different approaches.
In some cases, Nelson's contrary ways prove irrelevant — when he supports Republican amendments doomed to fail but votes for the underlying measure regardless.
But his opposition to the immigration-related measure known as the DREAM Act helped shoot down the bill. He also opposed the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, giving the Republicans a powerful talking point.
His support for Democrats included some key votes, as well, including new regulations on the financial sector and a repeal of the military's policy prohibiting openly gay servicemembers.
The fact Nelson often finds himself at odds with fellow Democrats raises the persistent question of why he remains a member of the party. To that, Nelson says the party's populist principles still appeal to him.
“It's far more populist in its nature,” Nelson said. “Whether it's Social Security, whether its Medicare, the voting rights, civil rights, just go right down the list. And who was pushing forward those agendas? Democrats.”
Contact the writer:
402-444-1304, joe.morton@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
