Bush courts Ben Nelson:

Meanwhile, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) was sounded out Friday by Karl Rove, Bush’s chief political adviser, about becoming secretary of agriculture, Senate sources said. In remarks to reporters, Nelson declined to say whether he had been offered the job or whether would take it. According to CNN, some Democrats said the administration may be trying to open the Nebraska Senate seat to a Republican.

And Fred Barnes lists some of the other targets for conversion:

Bush will need Democratic allies to bring about individual investment accounts in Social Security, to introduce free market forces into our health care system, and to create incentives to saving. The White House has Democratic senators in mind: Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, the four senators from North Dakota and Arkansas. Bush hopes to make tactical alliances with one or more of them without abandoning his principles. “No one’s saying it’s easy,” an aide comments. “It’s hard.” That’s putting it mildly.

These people know what they’re doing.