Senator Ben Nelson, whose popularity is plummeting in Nebraska because of his support for Obama and the disgraceful Cornhusker Kickback, will oppose Barack Obama's nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson (D) on Monday announced he would oppose Craig Becker's nomination to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) -- a move that could ultimately scuttle Becker's confirmation indefinitely.

Senate Democratic leaders needed the help of their entire 59-vote caucus, plus one Republican defector, to invoke cloture this Tuesday on Becker's nomination, which has awaited a full Senate vote since the summer of 2009. But Nelson's decision to oppose the White House's top candidate for the job seriously threatens those plans, as it now appears Democrats will not have the votes they need to proceed as intended this week.

"This is of great concern, considering that the Board's main responsibility is to resolve labor disputes with an even and impartial hand," Nelson added. "In addition, the nominee's statements fly in the face of Nebraska's Right to Work laws, which have been credited in part with our excellent business climate that has attracted employers and many good jobs to Nebraska. Considering these matters, I will oppose the upcoming cloture motion and the nomination."

Becker's nomination has drawn its fair share of political foes -- especially from the right, as many Republicans fear he is too pro-labor to work for an agency that handles employer, employee and labor disputes.

He is an adamant supporter of card-check legislation -- a proposal that allows unions to form more easily, supported by the White House -- and has done considerable work for the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union. Consequently, a handful of business groups have signaled staunch opposition to his nomination, and a few Republican senators -- including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) -- have threatened filibusters.

Blanche Lincoln's political fortunes in Arkansas are plummeting by the minute. Republicans fare better in the generic Congressional ballot by seven points . Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is tottering, despite having a massive campaign fund (a perk that comes with power). Barack Obama popularity is on the wane - he is losing the left, the center, and he long ago lost any on the right who were seduced by his speeches in 2008.

While Obama and his team try to pick off one or two Republicans, maybe they should start shoring up their own base in the Senate who increasingly may stake out an independent course away from the man and the team who are destroying their careers.