DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 6:00 pm
Despite sharp differences with President Bush on Iraq and foreign policy, Sen. Chuck Hagel was the leading supporter of the president’s agenda in the Senate in 2006.
Nebraska’s other senator, Ben Nelson, was the Democrat who most often voted in line with Bush’s positions.
Nelson, re-elected last month in a landslide despite a commanding Republican voter registration advantage in the state, also emerged again as the leading opponent of his party’s agenda in the Senate.
He departed from the Democratic position 63.8 percent of the time.
The ratings of presidential support and “party unity” votes were compiled by Congressional Quarterly.
Hagel supported Bush’s position 95.5 percent of the time, even more often than Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who finished fourth at 92.8 percent.
With Hagel on the verge of a decision whether to pursue the presidency or seek a third Senate term next year, his strong legislative support for Bush prompted words of praise from GOP State Chairman Mark Quandahl.
“Once again, Senator Hagel has demonstrated to Americans and Nebraskans alike that he is truly committed to President Bush and his policies,” Quandahl said.
“While Senator Hagel’s bold leadership has inspired serious and thoughtful policy discussions all across our country, this rating underscores his devout allegiance to the common-sense, conservative principles of the Republican Party and our commander-in-chief.”
Nelson voted with the president 75.7 percent of the time. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana finished second among Democrats at 70.8 percent.
“Nebraska has a lot of support for the president,” Nelson said Wednesday during a conference call from Washington. “And that’s probably reflected in my voting record.”
“It’s no secret that I’m bipartisan,” Nelson said.
Hagel’s party unity score of 84 percent was somewhat lower than those compiled by Nebraska’s three Republican House members.
* Rep. Lee Terry, 2nd District, led the way with a 97 percent rating, the same score he amassed in votes supporting Bush’s positions.
* Rep. Tom Osborne, who turns over the 3rd District seat to Adrian Smith today, supported the president 95 percent of the time and stood with his party’s majority on 94 percent of the votes in the survey.
* Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, the 1st District congressman, sided with Bush on 87 percent of the votes and with his party 89 percent of the time.
Terry and Fortenberry were re-elected in November.
Reach DonWalton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.