Among the intentions of this site is to find a way to hold long-term sorts of politicians, like Senators, accountable in the beginning or middle of their terms.  My method of choice is ego-torquing, but I’m happy to point out that the state of Nebraska has found another one.  They’re in the process of using it on one of their truly deserving, Ben Nelson.

Ben Nelson has two years to go in his term, and he’s running scared.  My take is that it’s not from his re-election chances, though I suspect they figure greatly into his thinking, but from the fact he’s now persona non grata in his own home state.  They may cost him his job eventually, but he’s paying for his Obamacare vote with the fact that he’s a pariah right now.

Nothing quite like being chased out of a pizza shop to focus the attention, I’m sure.

Joker posters.  Rat parades.  Angry constituents.  And the Cornhusker Kickback he thought would make everyone happy is an albatross around his neck.  This is not where Senator Nelson wanted to be, despite being currently safe election-wise.

So to Nebraska, thank you for adding your input to the Maverick Paradigm.  How many politicians are looking at this and wondering if that lobbying gig is going to be so great if they’re exiles from their own home states after they lose their jobs?  I suspect it’s enough to make a difference.