Senate Race

Senate Race Issues -- click on the candidates name and get a host of issue related info instead of crappy TV ads attacking the other guy.

I'll analyze where they & I stand. I don't like either guy too well, but I do want to look at where they stand on the issues.

Immigration -- Nelson and Ricketts both against amnesty, pro-border enforcement, I agree.

Iraq -- Nelson and Ricketts both agree that no timetable should be set, but benchmarks for progress should be defined. Agree with both here as well.

Energy -- both candidates are for developing energy alternatives to oil, but Ricketts is also a proponent of domestic drilling even in the AWR. Have to give major points to Pete on that one, Nelson has voted against AWR drilling repeatedly.

Trade -- both candidates are for free and open trade, nothing to argue with here.

Military -- both candidates support a strong miltary and vets. Good to go here also.

Education -- Nelson opposes vouchers, Ricketts is for them. Advantage Ricketts.

Legal System -- Both support malpractice reform & the death penalty, and are against legal activism. Nelson voted for the President's SC picks, but mixed record at lower levels. Tie again, possible advantage to Pete.

Taxes -- Nelson has supported the President's tax cuts, but Pete wants not only to make them permanent, but wants to look at the entire tax structure. Advantage Pete again.

Spending -- both talk a good game here, but Ben voted against a $40 billion spending reduction last Dec., and has had a some questionable business relationships. Ricketts wants not only to reduce spending, but go to a 2 year budget. Another advantage Pete.

Abortion/Stem cells/etc --Not a big issue for me, Ricketts is strongly pro-life, and Nelson appears to vote that way as well.

Social Security -- Nelson is against private accounts, Pete is for them, big advantage Pete.

Guns -- Nelson has NRA support, but appears to have a mixed record, opposed a bill that would absolve manufacturers from lawsuits. Ricketts supports 2nd amendment and concealed carry. Advantage Pete, again.

Healthcare -- again, not a big personal issue, but Nelson has voted against limiting lawsuits (contrasting a statement under legal system reform), and bulk drug purchases. Ricketts is for Health Savings Accounts and limiting lawsuits, again advantage Ricketts.

Environment -- Nelson voted to confirm Secretary Norton, and seems to have some flexibility on the issues of EPA mandates. No Ricketts policy stance available, so advantage Nelson.

Pete appears to reflect where I stand on issues quite a bit more, and on some important issues. What I do like is his stance on the budget and spending, as well as tax reform. I wish he would say more about foreign policy, which is a pretty big issue with me as well, but unfortunately, he's been pretty silent on that one.

Social Security accounts are also a big plus for Pete, and the domestic drilling issue is a big kicker for me too. Personally, I wish he'd stay more on issues in his ads and draw more of a compare contrast with Nelson.