Reply #33: .

[NEDem]

I'm saying that he had ties, period. It ends there.

I love how the conspiracy theorists have completely ignored the obvious, that Ben nelson wasn't as popular as people thought he was and more importantly, ran the worst campaign I've ever been a part of in my 40+ years working in Nebraska politics. It was sooo bad, and Hagel was so good, that I'll admit publicly, that even as a daily volunteer (7 days a week from day 1) working directly with his campaign staff I voted for Hagel that year. I can assure you that many people did what I did. That campaign made Nelson look like a pompus and arrogant weenie, and Hagel came off 100 times more statesman-like and frankly far better prepared for the job of Senator and Nelson did. So for people to go and cast some conspiracy over the whole race because he was connected to ES&S ignores the simple facts from the ground. Hagel out worked and out campaigned Nelson and won fair and square.

I know I can't convince anyone to change their mind and I not trying to, but I'm telling you what I know to be true. And yeah I do think there have been problems with the machines, I just don't believe it had anything to do with Hagel being elected the first time.