How Important Is Nebraska's Electoral Vote?

Larry Sabato and Crystal Ball have a good article about the projected 2012 electoral vote that breaks down the states by safe, leaning and toss up.   The article, "The Electoral College: Democrat's Friend?" is written by Alan I. Abramowitz and can be found at: http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/aia2011082502/ .

What the chart tells us is that there is still no guarantee that a Republican can/will beat Obama in 2012.   It also tells us that electoral votes are important and since only two states distribute their electoral votes on other than an "winner-takes-all" manner, each of the other 48 (or 55 if you're the president) have the clout of delivering a unanimous vote in the Electoral College.   Only Maine and Nebraska don't and as you'll note from the chart, Maine is pretty much in Obama's camp already.   On the other hand you will note that of Nebraska's five votes, one is classified as 'leaning' Republican although it went to Obama in 2008.  

What are we getting at?  Simply, that given the anticipated closeness of the presidential election next year, Nebraska's one 'leaning' vote could go to Obama and, yes, possibly elect him.   That would be a sad day for Nebraska and the nation's history--even worse than Senator Nelson's sell-out of his constituents and the country by his casting the 60th vote for Obamacare!   It would be a disaster for the future of the country and an insult to Nebraskans.

It's no surprise that the Nebraska Republican Party has tried to reverse this sad 1992 decision by its legislature to allocate its electoral votes on the basis of districts--a vote abetted by current Nebraska State Senator Brad Ashford.  Some Republican...RINO. 

Electoral Vote Allocation for 2012, 2016, 2020

Let's face it--the Democrats want the votes allocated because it makes them relevant.  But Republicans outnumber Democrats by two-to-one in Nebraska and by about the same in the legislature.    If this situation existed in New York, California, Florida, Illinois or Texas there would be no debate about it.   The party that controls wouldn't care about the one that wants to relevant.   The party that controls would assure votes are cast on a winner-takes-all basis--as they do.   When those states change their method of allocation Nebraska can re-look allocation.   Until then Nebraska needs to return to the winner-takes-all process.

The state tried to change this in the 2011 session but the Democrats have found a new ally in State Senator Paul Schumacher, also a Republican and a RINO who finds the idea of splitting the vote pleasing.   Schumacher prevented the return to winner-takes-all from getting out of committee in 2011.

Having noted the above, we've learned that a resolution will be introduced at the September Republican Party State Central Committee to deal with so-called Republicans who refuse to support their party on what is truly a 'litmus' issue for the party.   It reads as noted:

Whereas Nebraska is one of only two states that award electoral votes based on the presidential winner of congressional districts,

Whereas Nebraska’s overall clout in national elections is decreased by a procedure used in only one other state,

Whereas 48 other states refuse to allocate their electoral votes under such a plan because such plan dilutes the clout of their states and citizens in determining the election of the president,

Whereas the vast majority of Nebraskans and their votes for the president are not counted on an equal playing field with those of other states,

Whereas it is of the highest priority and interest to the Nebraska Republican Party and the citizens of Nebraska that the state returns to a “winner-takes-all” electoral vote plan,

Whereas the Nebraska Republican Party supports legislation that returns the state to the “winner-takes-all” basis,

And, whereas the Nebraska Republican Party believes that the “winner-takes-all” issue is a litmus test for those who would claim to be Republicans and seek the support of the Nebraska Republican Party,

Be it resolved that the Nebraska Republican Party will not support in any manner, financial or otherwise, any state senator who opposes the return of the state to the “winner-takes-all” electoral vote plan either by failing to vote for such in committee or on the floor of the legislature.

The resolution will deal with the likes of Schumacher who will become persona non grata next year if he prevents the measure getting to the floor.  Certain, RINOs like Schumacher will never again see the support of the Republican Party and the party will find a candidate to replace him come the next election.