Nebraska Dissidents Grow

Brett Lindstrom for Congress?

Congressman Don Bacon is in a lot of trouble. Whoever his advisors are, they are assuming being anti-Trump helps Bacon, yet Trump is highly likely to be the Republican Presidential nominee. At the same time, the recent changes in the Congressional 2 district boundaries means more conservative Republicans.

A lot of people try to characterize Trump as a populist, but this is a mistake. Trump is a pragmatist. Many criticize Trump for “America First” while ignoring the fact so many elitists, particularly on the left, put Americans last on their agenda if at all.

Congressman Bacon is a defense hawk and good with military issues but his team assumes Trump is an isolationist, but Trump is not. Trump repeatedly called on US Allies to bolster their military defense which kept the peace. Under President Biden, the world has blossomed with many new military conflicts.

Also, Bacon is so wedded to Congressman Kevin McCarthy and the lobbying class, he has created a conflict within the Republican Party. At the same time, Bacon has presumed Republican Congress members Matt Gaetz, Marjory Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert are “far-right anarchists” instead of elected officials pushing for reform. Bacon seems to be happy with Continuing Resolutions and Omnibus bills.  Also, you would expect Bacon to blast President Biden daily for his overtures to Iran and Hamas-linked Palestinian aid, yet Bacon makes brief statements as if it is sufficient in a Presidential election cycle. 

Dissent and disappointment have grown over Bacon. Names have been floating about as to who should primary Bacon. Dan Frei and Chip Maxwell have already had their runs in the district so I doubt they can succeed or am I wrong? One person who could beat Bacon would be Brett Lindstrom who ran for governor as the nice guy. Lindstrom has a conservative voting record and has credibility from being a legislator in the Unicameral. The question really will come down to how Lindstrom chooses to campaign if he enters the Congressional race.

There are plenty of Republicans willing to follow the template of Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign which would be ruinous today. And many more who still cannot figure out how Trump won in 2016. Trump listens, listens, asks questions, and listens more and more. Thus he knows precisely how to go on attack. Before Trump, no political consultant would advise saying, “Build a wall and make Mexico pay for it!” But Trump did. Yet, to many, Trump is too abrasive. 

Although, Lindstrom really would not have to attack Bacon by much. All he has to do is compare Bacon to the rest of the Nebraska delegation as being out of step and out of touch. When Bacon was attacking Matt Gaetz and other Republicans over McCarthy being House speaker, Congressman Mike Flood started a petition to support any Republican nominee for House speaker. To add, House Speaker Mike Johnson is a great improvement and he did not delay in releasing the January 6 Capital mayhem videos.

Furthermore, I think Lindstrom could run more effectively against Vargas and appeal to younger voters as well as Hispanics. Also, senior citizens already know of his fight to stop the State from taxing Social Security.  Lindstrom for Congress anyone?