Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and Bloomberg White House reporter Josh Wingrove discuss Omaha's pivotal role in the 2024 election, Warren Buffett's potential involvement, challenges faced by Democrats in engaging diverse voters, healthcare disparities, and the anticipation of Biden, Harris, and Buffett visiting Omaha for campaigning.
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Quick takeaways
Omaha's unique electoral system makes one electoral college vote in the swing district consequential in national elections.
Republican efforts to change Nebraska's electoral rules could sway the state towards the Republican party, affecting national election outcomes.
Deep dives
Electoral College System Peculiarities in Nebraska
Nebraska's electoral college votes are divvied up uniquely, with some allocated by congressional district. This system allows a solidly red state like Nebraska to sometimes give one electoral college vote to a Democrat from the district around Omaha. This district holds significant weight in elections due to its swing voting patterns and updated census numbers reshaping its impact.
Battleground Focus on Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska's second congressional district, has seen voting swings from Biden to Trump and Romney to Obama. This district, encompassing Omaha, stands out in largely red states and could be pivotal in close elections. Biden's potential reliance on winning this district's single electoral vote underlines its importance.
Political Maneuvers and Concerns in Omaha
Republicans are pushing for rule changes to ensure the statewide winner in Nebraska gets all electoral college votes, likely favoring Trump. There are efforts to prevent the district around Omaha from having potential sway in elections. The influence of mega donors like Pete Ricketts and the absence of Warren Buffett's financial support pose challenges for Democrats in mobilizing voters in Omaha.
Omaha, Nebraska, is billionaire Warren Buffett’s hometown. A quirk in the state’s election law also means it could wind up deciding the 2024 presidential election.
On this episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks to Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and Bloomberg White House reporter Josh Wingrove, who traveled to Nebraska, to understand the fight to secure Omaha’s vote and the possibility of Warren Buffett entering the fray.