The Daily Blast: Trump’s Hail-Mary Plan to Change Nebraska Rules Just Fell Apart
Sep 25, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Joe Perticone, a national political reporter at The Bulwark, delves into Donald Trump's failed attempt to influence electoral vote rules in Nebraska. He reveals the significance of the Nebraska governor's refusal to hold a special session, unraveling the challenges faced by Trump and his allies. The conversation explores the fractured state of the GOP under Trump's shadow and highlights courageous Republicans like Brian Kemp. Perticone provides insight into how these dynamics may shape future elections and perceptions of Trump.
Trump's attempt to alter Nebraska's electoral vote allocation faced significant resistance, highlighting internal GOP divisions amidst pressure from his allies.
The failure to change Nebraska's rules may force Republicans to reassess their strategies and alliances as future elections approach.
Deep dives
Nebraska's Electoral Vote Strategy Fails
Donald Trump and his allies attempted to alter the electoral college vote allocation in Nebraska, seeking a change that would hamper Kamala Harris's potential path to victory. However, the Nebraska Republican governor announced he would not convene a special session to change the rules, effectively ending Trump's hopes for this electoral strategy. This failure illustrated the difficulty in garnering support from local Republicans, even amidst pressure from Trump’s camp and prominent figures like Lindsey Graham. Nebraska's current system allows electoral votes to be distributed by congressional district, demonstrating that attempts to manipulate such structures can face significant roadblocks, especially when time is limited.
Republican Dynamics and Changing Sentiments
The internal dynamics among Nebraska Republicans and their reluctance to adhere strictly to Trump's agenda signify a fracturing within the party. Even with strong backing from Trump, key state legislators lacked the necessary votes to implement the proposed changes, as many Republican officials are wary of overtly aligning with Trump's controversial tactics. This situation is contrasted with a past Republican confidence, which has since diminished as they observe shifting electoral landscapes and changing public perceptions, especially towards Harris. Additionally, Trump’s traditional methods of political pressure, such as nicknaming opponents, are proving ineffective, as many Republicans are reconsidering their alliances and strategies.
Future Implications of Electoral Maneuvering
The failure of the electoral manipulation in Nebraska may have lasting effects on Republican strategy heading into the upcoming elections. All members of Nebraska's delegation expressed support for changing the rules, highlighting that the inaction could lead to a significant regret if a narrow future election outcome hinges on this electoral vote. With current polling indicating Harris's strong position in key battleground states, Republicans may find themselves re-evaluating their approach in future election cycles. The political landscape remains uncertain, and attempts to challenge election outcomes may face increasing scrutiny and resistance from within their own ranks.
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.