Omaha's one vote draws Obama's attention

msnbc.com ^ | 9/9/08

[paudio]

"If the major competitive states are split, we could be talking about a situation where one electoral vote matters," said Randall Adkins, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Only Nebraska and Maine divide their electoral votes, though the votes have never actually been split. Obama has opened a campaign office in Omaha to make a play for the electoral vote decided by results in the 2nd Congressional District, which would be essential to victory if the election ended in a 269-269 electoral tie, neither candidate reaching the mandatory 270 electoral votes.

[paudio]

I remember Dubya also tried to get part of Maine's EV.

[Terabitten]

So Obama’s no longer confident of an outright win - he’s also trying to figure out how to ‘win’ a tie.

[cherry]

we need Nebraska.....we need all the Red States from the Bush win....

[Rocko]

Sorry, Barry. Nebraska — all of it — is safe for McCain.

[conservativehusker]

Sorry, Barry. Nebraska — all of it — is safe for McCain.

Agree but I sure do see too many O stickers...

[franksolich]

Oh, I dunno.

The reason Nebraska adopted the split electoral votes was that the Democrats thought they could get at least Lincoln, the state capital.....and that’s the first congressional district.

Well, the Democrats never even came close to getting Lincoln, the first congressional district, and so I have no idea why they think the prospects of getting Omaha, the second congressional district, are any better. Lincoln after all is more left than Omaha.

[goldstategop]

Obama and the media hope it will be a tie... more evidence they're playing defense. I mean, isn't the Messiah in it to win? Would he really want to come in second? (laughing)

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Linda Frances]

I am in this distinct. I am helping (when I can) with Lee Terry's campaign. (House) His opponent is pretending to be a conservative & some people here are calling for change. I sent an e-mail asking McCain/Palin visit our state to support our Republicans. I'm sure the state Republican party & Lee's people are asking the same question, and better ones.

[Carley]

If I am not mistaken, Colorado divides it’s electoral votes as well.

Keep in mind that the EV is why Obama is spending so much time in Montana. It’s their three votes.

[longtermmemmory]

Its the left over of Rham Emmanuel’s 2006 DINO trumps RINO strategy. They have a simulated conservative Gov.

I wonder if Obama is now anticipating a electoral crisis?

[Big Red Clay]

I heard Esch (Lee Terry’s opponent) on the radio yesterday. I thought he was trying to sound like a conservative too! The rats will do anything to get elected won’t they?

I live in Sarpy county so Fortenberry is my rep instead of Terry. I could see Esch making it closer this time around than last but if he couldnt win in ‘06 then he aint gonna win this time. All of the Republicans I know are so geeked up about Palin that I am guessing that 0bama is wasting his $ as well. I was so pi$$ed off that McCain won the nomination that I swithched to non affiliated in February. Now I am getting ready to send in some $$ to the RNC. (directed to Palin rather than Johnny Mac though ha ha) Who woulda thunk that a month ago?

Strange times indeed.

[MountainDad]

My thoughts too!

[Vigilanteman]

Division of electoral votes is only possible in Nebraska and Maine at this time. Colorado voted down a convoluted proposal to base assignments of electoral votes on the proportion of popular vote. The Maine and Nebraska systems are straightforward: 2 electoral votes for the state winner, 1 electoral vote for the winner of each congressional district.

Oba Mao needs to spend more time in Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Alaska and other small states where he won the caucuses. Especially Alaska and Idaho. Notice how dark green they are! He should forget about any red (Hillary) states.

[Carley]

Thanks for the info on CO. Guess they came to their senses. I remember when it was being debated.

[Carley]

Seems like electile dysfunction is about to his Obama.

[Carley]

Seems like electile dysfunction is about to HIT Obama.

[TheRightGuy]

Obama has opened a campaign office in Omaha

I hear he wants the city renamed Ohama ... so as not to be racist.

[AuH2ORepublican]

The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District of Nebraska gave President Bush 60.17% in 2004 for a 21.69% victory margin over John Kerry. It would be a miracle indeed for Obama to reduce John McCain’s margin below 10%, and it would be impossible for Obama to carry the district. I hope Obama campaigns like crazy in Nebraska. : )

On the other hand, the rural 2nd Congressional District of Maine gave President Bush 46.13% in 2004 and was carried by John Kerry by only a 5.83% margin. John McCain has a good chance of picking off at least one of Maine’s four electoral votes.

If other states apportioned electoral votes like Maine and Nebraska do (with one for the winner of each congresisonal district and two for the statewide winner), Obama would have absolutely no chance of winning, since his support is all tightly bunched in urban areas, some close-in suburbs, and heavily minority rural areas. Had the 2004 elections been held with every state using the Maine/Nebraska method of allocating electors, President Bush would have received 317 electoral votes instead of the 286 he received and Kerry wouldn’t have had a chance of getting to 270 even had he somehow won Ohio, Nevada, New Mexico, Iowa, Colorado and Florida.

[Impy]

I wish they did all do it like like.

I wonder how’d they campaign, concentrating time in competitive districts.