The Omaha World-Herald's Jake Thompson brings us some great news on this Friday morning:

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson has told the White House he is not interested in becoming President Bush's agriculture secretary, a congressional source told The World-Herald on Thursday.

The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said White House political adviser Karl Rove called Nelson last Friday and asked if he would take the job if President Bush offered it. After consideration over the weekend, Nelson said no Wednesday evening, the source said.

[...]

Nelson is up for re-election in 2006 and could face a stiff challenge from [Republican Governor Mike] Johanns.

Nebraska Democrats suggested Thursday that Bush's interest in Nelson for a Cabinet post could inoculate Nelson against Bush administration campaigning if he runs for re-election in 2006.

"If President Bush considers someone to be a member of his Cabinet, you can't get any better endorsement than that," Nebraska Democratic Party Chairman Barry Rubin said. "It shows how well-respected Senator Nelson is."

It appeared for a while that the Democrats would lose Nelson in the Senate and the Republicans would be able to appoint one of their own in his stead. The fact that he is willing to stay, however--even though he is the only remaining conservative Democrat in the Senate and at times crosses the aisle to support GOP measures--is great news.