Worldandnation: Nelson picked to help lead committee

Nelson picked to help lead committee

By JOHN BALZ

WASHINGTON -- Newly elected Sen. Bill Nelson was tapped Tuesday as vice chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the election fundraising organization of the Democratic Party in the Senate.

A former Florida insurance commissioner and astronaut, Nelson's primary role will be recruiting candidates and raising money for Democratic senatorial candidates in the 2002 election cycle.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., made the announcement on Capitol Hill where he called Nelson a "highly successful campaigner" with a "bright, bright future."

Naming a freshman senator to a position in the upper rung of the Democratic Party is rare, but Daschle said Nelson's experience in government was among the reasons for his selection.

And, no doubt, Nelson also was being recognized for his prodigious capacity to raise money as well. During his Senate race against former House member Bill McCollum, Nelson pulled in nearly $6.5-million in campaign contributions. He also helped solicit millions more in soft money pledges, the unregulated donations meant for party-building activities.

Nelson said his primary goal would be to find and assist candidates who "represent the priorities of our average citizens."

One of those priorities gaining support is campaign finance reform, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has indicated he will reintroduce the McCain-Feingold bill that bans soft money. Nelson again voiced his support for the measure but said until the system is changed he will continue to play by its rules.

"I have to deal with laws and ideas as they are here and now," he said.