Maybe it’s because of Brian Wilson's recent death, but when I heard that Don Bacon was leaving Congress, the Beach Boys song “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” popped into my mind.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the song, it’s an introspective ballad about a man who feels out of place.

The lyrics include lines like, “I keep looking for a place to fit in. Where I can speak my mind.”

And, “They say I got brains but they ain’t doing me no good. I wish they could.”

And then the payoff line… “I guess I just wasn’t made for these times.”

I first met Don Bacon at a Salvation Army fundraiser when he was still a general. He told me that he was about to retire from the Air Force, and when he did, he planned to run for Congress.

I asked him what political party he was going to join and what his platform was going to be. He told me that he would answer those questions after he was out of the military. He showed me integrity when he said that as long as he was still in uniform, he was going to remain apolitical.

But it wasn’t long before I, along with anyone else in the Second District who was paying attention, found out that the recently retired general was a conservative Republican.

When he announced his intention to run, I spoke to him again, and he told me that he was very concerned with the nation’s deficits.

At the press conference where he announced his retirement, I addressed the upcoming vote on the so-called Big Beautiful Bill, and I asked him if tax cuts were more important than getting the Federal Budget under control.

I thought it was a simple yes or no question, but I got a political answer that really didn’t address the issue.

Evidently, stepping down has not yet freed him from risking the wrath of the Administration and Speaker Johnson.

I guess he just wasn’t made for these times.

Congressman Bacon often voted with the Trump agenda, but at times, he was a vocal opponent of the President as well. He never actively campaigned for him, but when asked who he would vote for in the 2024 presidential race, his answer was “The Republican nominee,” not mentioning Donald Trump by name.

So, with Congressman Bacon out of the running, what does this mean for the race for the second congressional district?

The only thing for certain is that the TV, Radio, and Internet Sites are starting to count all the cash they’re going to haul in. The Republican and Democratic parties, along with their PACs, are certain to be pouring millions of dollars into this race.

They’ve already spent a bunch earlier this year with one side condemning Bacon for his vote on the Big Beautiful Bill, and the other side praising him for the job he’s doing.

I found it odd that the PAC praising him always referred to him as “Retired General Don Bacon” and not as a congressman. In hindsight, I wonder if those ads were aimed more at Congressman Bacon to try to keep him in the race, than they were to get voters’ support.

Over the years, I have supported and voted for Congressman Bacon, and I have also voted against him. But when I voted against him, it had more to do with Trump than with him. Even when I disagreed with his votes, I had and continue to have respect for the man.

This toxic political environment has made it almost impossible for people like Don Bacon, who try to work across party lines, to have an impact. I can’t say I blame him for saying he’s had enough.

It will be interesting to see what’s next for the man. He still has a year and a half left in his term. Will he speak out louder against Trump? Will he try to bring the party back to its senses?

A lot remains to be seen.

All I know is that a lot has changed since Don Bacon first threw his hat into the ring. The Congressman mentioned that he saw himself as a Reagan Republican. The Republican Party of today is nothing like it was when the Gipper was in charge.

I guess Don Bacon just wasn’t made for these times.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.