Nebraska Sen. Mike McDonnell, a Republican, explained in an interview Tuesday that he voted against the Republican effort to change Nebraska's electoral count because of timing issues and because “people have to work hard to vote.”
“The reason we don't want to keep the current system and make it winner-take-all is because I think it makes Omaha more important, that's where the 2nd Congressional District is. Of course, there's the financial and economic impact, but it also makes people work for our votes,” McDonnell told MSNBC's Chris Hayes.
“Come on in, work hard, play by the rules and don't try to change the rules with 42 days left,” McDonnell said.
Later in the interview, McDonnell likened the timing of the attempt to the value of a field goal changing with just a few minutes left in a football game, adding that he knows “this isn't a game.”
“For a coach to take a timeout with two minutes left and say, 'We're going to change the field goal value from three to four points and win the game,' is not true and doesn't look good on Nebraska,” McDonnell said.
Republicans have been pushing for a winner-take-all system for weeks, which would have almost certainly given former President Trump an extra electoral vote. In one possible presidential run, Harris would have received exactly 270 votes, which could have been decisive.
McDonnell, who is seen as a key player in determining whether Republicans can garner enough support to move forward, voiced his opposition to that approach in a statement on Monday.
“In recent weeks, the debate over whether to change the way electoral votes are apportioned has come back to the forefront,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion and have taken the time to listen carefully to both Nebraskans and national leaders on this issue. After careful consideration, it is clear that with 43 days until Election Day, now is not the time to make this change.”
In an interview, Hayes questioned the timing of the effort – 43 days before the election – and said it could be seen as political “hardball” from Republicans if it had begun in 2023 or earlier this year.
McDonnell responded, “Let's do it in the midterm elections.”
“If the people of Nebraska want to have an election in two years and let someone who wants to run for president of the United States know the rules, I think that's fair,” McDonnell added.
During the interview, McDonnell called on both former President Trump and Vice President Harris to debate in Omaha.
“To President Trump and Vice President Harris, please come to Omaha,” McDonnell said. “Come and debate.”
“Again, work hard for that vote,” he added.
