Trump’s Hail-Mary Plan to Change Nebraska Rules Just Fell Apart
Sep 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Joe Perticone, a national political reporter at The Bulwark, dives into Donald Trump's failed attempts to alter Nebraska's electoral vote rules. The show reveals how the GOP's desire for independence clashed with Trump's wishes, highlighting the internal rifts within the party. Perticone discusses the implications of this failed strategy and its effects on the broader GOP landscape in the age of MAGA. He also touches on political courage among Republicans and the shifting dynamics that may shape upcoming elections.
Trump's failed attempt to change Nebraska's electoral vote allocation reveals a significant rift within the GOP regarding loyalty to his agenda.
The Nebraska situation indicates a growing unease among Republicans about the effectiveness of traditional anti-Harris strategies as the election approaches.
Deep dives
Trump's Electoral College Scheme in Nebraska
Donald Trump and his allies sought to change the way Nebraska allocates its electoral college votes in order to increase his chances in the upcoming election. They aimed to implement a one-vote system for each congressional district, which would significantly impact Kamala Harris's ability to secure victory with just the traditional blue-wall states. However, the plan unraveled when Nebraska's Republican governor decided not to call for a special legislative session to make the changes, indicating a lack of support among state Republicans. This failure highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, as state legislators appeared unwilling to fully embrace Trump's agenda in this instance.
Republican Dynamics and the Role of Harris
The podcast discusses the Republican Party's divided sentiment towards President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as the election nears. Despite initial overconfidence within the Trump camp, Harris has gained traction and approval, causing concern among Republicans who struggle to effectively attack her persona and policies. Trump’s past strategies, like naming mock nicknames, have not resonated as intended in the case of Harris, exemplifying a shift in political climate. This change may be fueling increased urgency and complications for Republican strategies moving forward.
The Implications of Legislative Failures
The unsuccessful efforts to alter Nebraska's electoral vote allocation are anticipated to have significant repercussions for the upcoming election and beyond. Many Nebraska Republicans openly supported the change, foreseeing a potential regret if it fails to pass before the elections, particularly if Harris subsequently wins with a narrow margin. The discussion also touches upon broader implications for state legislators who may be reluctant to undertake similar actions in future cycles, emphasizing a budding resistance against Trump’s influence. The complex landscape indicates that different states may exhibit varying levels of adherence to Trump's strategies, leading to unpredictable outcomes in future elections.
Donald Trump and his allies have been pushing Nebraska’s GOP-controlled State legislature to change how the state’s electoral votes are allotted, to prevent Kamala Harris from winning the election with just the blue wall states. But Nebraska’s GOP governor just announced that he will not hold a special session to change the rules, dashing Trump’s hopes. How did this happen? We talked to Joe Perticone, who has been covering all this as national political reporter at The Bulwark. He unpacks why Trump couldn’t get this done, what the impact of this will be, and what it all says about the GOP in the age of MAGA.