Claims of 'risk' vs. 'lies' in first Senate race backed by Tea Party Express
May 11th, 2011
03:13 PM ET
12 years ago

Claims of 'risk' vs. 'lies' in first Senate race backed by Tea Party Express

Washington (CNN) – Already, things are getting ugly.

In a preview of what'll likely be a bruising bout of political combat, the Tea Party Express and Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson's campaign began trading barbs on Wednesday.

This comes just hours after the Express announced its pick to run against Nelson: state Attorney General Jon Bruning. The Senate endorsement is the first from the Tea Party Express for the 2012 cycle.

Even before the Express' official announcement in Washington at the National Press Club, Nelson's campaign was firing back.

"This endorsement makes perfect sense," Nelson campaign manager Paul Johnson wrote in a statement. "Both the Tea Party Express and Mr. Bruning want to cut Medicare, cut Social Security and return to the days when insurance companies could deny health coverage to children with preexisting conditions."

The last part of Johnson's quote apparently refers to conservative calls to repeal the nation's health care law.

Wasting little time in responding, the Tea Party Express called Johnson's claims flat out "lies."

"Shortly after seeing his conservative opponent endorsed by the Tea Party Express, the Nelson camp went into panic mode, and has already started a campaign of lies and deceptions to try and cling to political office," Express chairman Amy Kremer fired back in an email.

"Nelson's campaign has falsely stated that the Tea Party Express wants to cut Medicare, Social Security and deny insurance coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. That is patently false," Kremer added.

And then, some rough advice squarely aimed at Johnson.

"We would encourage Nelson to rein-in his campaign spokesman and stick to the truth and not lies and distortions of our record," Kremer wrote.

Follow Shannon Travis on Twitter: @ShanTravisCNN


Filed under: 2012 • Ben Nelson • Nebraska • Senate • Tea Party Express
soundoff (37 Responses)
  1. ThinkAgain

    @larry: Would you buy a car that you knew had a bad engine? The pre-existing clause is forcing insurance companies to do the same thing.

    If insurance companies would cover preventive care, overall health care costs would fall. This makes sense – but the health insurance companies don't care about people, they only care about money.

    Just like you, apparently, with your glib attitude about people and bad engines. I sincerely hope you come to eat your own words.

    May 11, 2011 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  2. Democrat Class Warfare - Destroying the economy, destroying the country

    Obamacare - Sen. Ben Nelson how do you vote? "After much due consideration and bribery, I vote Yeah"....

    And now the people get to vote Ben! SAY GOOD BYE!!!!

    May 11, 2011 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |
  3. FRANK - LAS VEGAS

    That's a laugh, the Tea Party saying don't spread lies. 99% of what comes out of the Tea Party Express is a LIE, maybe a little more..LOL. Just look at the voting records of the Tea Party congressman, that's exactly what they have stood for. What the Tea Party Express doesn't seem to understand is that once you have a voting record it's pretty hard to keep the lie machine going.

    May 11, 2011 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |
  4. 'merica ruined by rethugs

    larry

    Would you buy a car that you knew had a bad engine? The pre-existing clause is forcing insurance companies to do the same thing. As a business, why would you accept a minimal premium when you know you are going to have to pay out many times over in the future. What this is is idiotic. I suppose as long as it is idiotic on someone elses part it is OK!!! I ask you to think about how you would handle it if you were the one who knew you were going to lose your ass doing this!!!
    ------------------------------------------------–
    So people are now cars eh? Material before humanity, check, gotcha chief. How does this square with the Republican charade of being strong Christians and looking out for one's neighbor? I'd expect the Faith and Freedom people to be out in front of this...you know what would Jesus do??
    That's why Repugs are posers, all about trying to grandtsand behind the Bible while in their hearts it is, was, and always will be profits before people. Sickening, Lawrence. I feel for your empty soul.

    May 11, 2011 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |
  5. Laverne

    Ben Nelson is not a true democrat, never have been. I could care less if he gets a stomping by a tea party candidate, quite frankly he deserves it! Ben Nelson has been a huge disappointment to say the least!

    May 11, 2011 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  6. AZ DEM

    On another note though Nelson is done in the Senate..his vote on healthcare is going to cause him to lose the moderate support that has consistently re-elected him...President Obama being on the ticket will keep it close for all of the Dems nationwide but this one may need to be chucked up to a L so they Democrats can focus on taking Mass or TX

    May 11, 2011 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |
  7. Dot

    "Would you buy a car that you knew had a bad engine? The pre-existing clause is forcing insurance companies to do the same thing. As a business, why would you accept a minimal premium when you know you are going to have to pay out many times over in the future. What this is is idiotic. I suppose as long as it is idiotic on someone elses part it is OK!!! I ask you to think about how you would handle it if you were the one who knew you were going to lose your ass doing this!!!"

    You're absolutely correct, Larry. Thanks for pointing out EXACTLY why we need a single payor health care system in this country. So that health care is not left up to insurance companies to decide who deserves it and who doesn't!

    May 11, 2011 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  8. John

    Actually, Bruning and the Tea Party want to do exactly what Senator Nelson's spokesman said they want to do.

    May 11, 2011 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  9. gt

    ben is running away from obama .. he acts like a republican anyway,,, no great loss...

    May 11, 2011 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  10. The Greedy Old Pigs have declared class-war on America!

    The GOBP birthbaggers love to smear others with their fear, lies, hate and ignorance, yet when confronted with their BS that get all whiny and play the victim. The fact is, the Greedy Old Pigs do want to destroy the poor and middle class, along with t he environment, because none of those things matter to the filthy rich who own the party. It isn't really even much of a party anymore, since it has become clearer each day the "party" is morally and intellectually bankrupt. In fact, if is really just a cult of faith-based nonsense that has been repeatedly disproven.

    May 11, 2011 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |
  11. Stephanie Palmer

    For Jon Bruning – when those tornadoes come calling, does this mean your state wont be looking for government FEMA funds? Does this mean you wont be looking for financing to clean up the Missouri River? You may want to do away with Medicare, I for one would like to do away with people like you who can see no further that the tip of their noses.

    May 11, 2011 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |
  12. Sgt Joe

    @Larry: So you think insuring someone w/a pre-existing condition is wrong because it might cut into profits? Would you say that if a loved one, say your kid, had cancer? How would you pay your bills once you mortgaged your house to cover them? Do you propose us tax payers or those who do have coverage should pay for their medical bills? What's your solution...let them die in the streets? Use your brain and quit listening to Fox News for a change. If we all pay for insurance, the companies have plenty to treat people and still make a buck. The GOP and likely the TeaPartiers care nothing about the average American; they seem devoid of a soul which is ironic since they also claim to be so God-fearing.

    May 11, 2011 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
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