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Ben Nelson Airing Ad Defending Health Care Vote

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska will air a new ad in his state during the Holiday Bowl this evening defending his vote in favor of the Democrats' health care reform bill.

"With all the distortions about health care reform, I want you to hear directly from me," Nelson says in the ad, according to the Journal Star.

The Holiday Bowl is between Nebraska and Arizona, so it's safe to assume many Nebraskans will be watching.

In the spot, Nelson reportedly speaks directly into the camera, saying the bill "lowers costs for families and small business, protects Medicare, finally guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions and reduces the deficit."

He adds that "it's not run by the government." The ad will run in coming days as well.

Nelson, who was the final holdout on the bill, had a 55 percent unfavorable rating among Nebraskans in a recent Rasmussen Reports poll.

He is not up for reelection until 2012, but the survey showed him badly trailing Republican Gov. Dave Heineman in a potential Senate race.

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