Abortion opponents in Nebraska watch as Senate’s Nelson searches for health reform compromise

Abortion opponents watching Nelson on health care

OMAHA, Neb. — There’s a message waiting for Nebraska’s Ben Nelson at home: Stick to your opposition to abortion.

Some voters say they wouldn’t support the Democratic senator again if Nelson backs down from his demand that health care reform legislation now in the Senate include tough abortion restrictions.

Nelson is one of 60 Democratic votes needed to enact the legislation. After marathon talks, the Obama administration and Democratic leaders appeared near agreement with Nelson late Friday night.

He told reporters “real progress” had been made, but offered no details and said nothing final had emerged.

Still, abortion opponents caution that Nebraska voters aren’t likely to tolerate any equivocation from Nelson on abortion.