Welcome to the online version of From the policy deskevening bulletin that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill from the NBC News Politics team.
In today’s edition, our team breaks down a key Nebraska senator’s decision to stand in the way of a Trump-backed driver to change how the state’s electoral votes are distributed. Plus, here’s an in-depth look at the latest NBC News poll.
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A key Nebraska Republican is blocking a Trump-backed push to change how the state counts electoral votes
By Jonathan Allen, Bridget Bowman, Adam Edelman, Katherine Doyle, Allan Smith, and Ben Kamisar
Nebraska’s Republican lawmaker said Monday that he opposes how the state is changing allocates its electoral votesIt effectively blocks a proposal by President Donald Trump and his allies to change the system for additional electoral votes this fall.
Trump allies have pushed for a special legislative session for the Republican-controlled Legislature to change Nebraska to a winner-take-all system instead of voting by congressional districts.
In a letter obtained by NBC News, state Sen. Mike McDonnell wrote: “After much thought, it is clear to me that now, 43 days after Election Day, is not the time to make this change.”
The events appear to cap a months-long debate over whether Nebraska lawmakers could change the way the state distributes electoral votes in a way that benefits Trump.
Nebraska divides its electoral votes by congressional district, and the swing district around Omaha has gone to Democrats twice in recent years, giving them one electoral vote from the otherwise ruby-red state.
But if lawmakers change it to a winner-take-all model, Trump will be assured of winning all of Nebraska’s electoral votes.
And there is a plausible scenario that he could determine who will be the next president.
For example, if Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to win Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but lose all other states.he and Trump would have tied for a winner-take-all Nebraska win with 269 Electoral College votes for Trump to win the state.
2020 vs. 2024: Why this could still be a close election?
By Mark Murray
The The latest national NBC News poll Good news for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party — Harris leads Donald Trump by 5 points among registered voters, her popularity has risen since July, and Harris is leading Trump in better representing change.
Despite the positive results for Democrats, here’s a reminder of how close the November election can still be: In several ways, our poll mirrors what the last poll from October 2020 showed — and remember how close and competitive this race is.
In favor of Biden in late October 2020: 45% positive, 42% negative (+3)
Now Harris: 48% positive, 45% negative (+3)
In favor of Trump at the end of October 2020: Trump: 43% favorable, 52% unfavorable (-9)
Trump now: 40% positive, 53% negative (-13)
The direction of the nation at the end of October 2020: 31% right way, 60% wrong way
Now the direction of the nation: 28% right way, 65% wrong way
Congressional dominance in late October 2020: Democrats 48%, Republicans 43% (D+5)
Congress now dominates: Democrats 48%, Republicans 46% (D+2)
“All this movement toward Harris puts the race back to where it was in 2020 at the end of the campaign: a very close election,” said pollster Jeff Horwitt, the Democratic half of the bipartisan polling duo responsible for conducting the NBC News poll. .
If we ever wanted another reminder of how close November can be, here’s a new one New York Times/Siena battlefield polls Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina are all ahead of Trump in these critical states, but within the margin of error.
🗞️ The best stories of the day
- 📺 Debate preparation: Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, is gearing up for next week’s vice presidential debate with the help of his wife, advisers and a Minnesota congressman playing Gov. Tim Walz. More →
- 👀 Vance weight: Vance also responded to the controversy surrounding North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, telling NBC Philadelphia that allegations that Robinson posted lewd comments on a pro website were “absolutely not true.” More →
- 💲 Closing the closing conversation: Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defied Trump and struck a deal to fund the government for three more months, with the House expected to vote this week. More →
- 🗣️ Cross talk: Trump’s advisers and allies are already preparing for a possible transition to the Trump administration, preparing lists of possible candidates for various jobs. More →
- 🛑 Push back: As Trump and Vance have targeted Haitian immigrants in their recent rhetoric, some Republicans in places with large immigrant populations have been forced to push back, arguing that those immigrants strengthen their communities. More →
- 🏠 Heartburn in the apartment: As policymakers try to address high housing costs, homebuilders say they face multiple challenges, from high demand and costs to labor shortages and increasing building restrictions. More →
- 🐔 Laughter during discussion: The DNC is launching a new campaign calling Trump a “chicken” for not going to another debate against Harris, complete with billboards featuring Trump in a chicken suit. More →
That’s all for the Policy Desk for now. If you have feedback – like it or not – email us politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com
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