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Next to [[Zell Miller]], Ben Nelson became the most [[conservative Democrat]] in the Senate, with his votes often placing him at odds with the leadership of the Democratic Party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act ([[McCain-Feingold]]). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor with the [[Bush administration]]'s tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. <ref>http://www.hrc.org/issues/5556.htm</ref>

Next to [[Zell Miller]], Ben Nelson became the most [[conservative Democrat]] in the Senate, with his votes often placing him at odds with the leadership of the Democratic Party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act ([[McCain-Feingold]]). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor with the [[Bush administration]]'s tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. <ref>http://www.hrc.org/issues/5556.htm</ref>

Nelson is strongly [[pro-life]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> He voted for the imposition of criminal penalties when an  unborn fetus was harmed during the commission of a crime and is against embryonic stem cell research. Nelson praised and voted for President Bush's two nominees for the Supreme Court, [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]].  

Nelson is strongly [[pro-life]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the [[National Right to Life Committee]]. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> He voted for the imposition of criminal penalties when an  unborn fetus was harmed during the commission of a crime and is against embryonic stem cell research. Nelson praised and voted for President Bush's two nominees for the Supreme Court, [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]].  

Some of Nelson's positions fall well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party: he has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]] in January 2007.

Some of Nelson's positions fall well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party: he has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]] in January 2007.