There are some things I believe to be true, but I could never prove them in a court of law.

One of those things I believe is that many of my Republican friends and even some Republican candidates that are verbally supporting Trump, will vote for Kamala Harris once they get behind the privacy of the voting booth.  

I know that sounds crazy, but once you hear the logic behind my statement, I hope you’ll agree.  

First off, let me make it clear that I am not talking about the die-hard Trump supporters that wear the MAGA hats and fly the “Let’s Go Brandon” flags even after Biden dropped out of the race.  Those folks are true believers and they’re not going to change.  

I’m talking about the more traditional Republicans.  Those that are for free markets and not increased tariffs.  Those sane Republicans who don’t believe the President should criminally charge or punish a political opponent or their donors without evidence of wrongdoing.  Republicans that want a leader that is not a convicted felon with numerous other charges hanging over his head. Republicans that believe that running for the highest office in the land shouldn’t be a get out of jail free card. I’m talking about the sane Republicans who have fond memories of Ronald Reagan and George W Bush.  

George W. Bush is a perfect example of who I’m talking about.  He recently came out and gave no endorsement for the Republican nominee. He couldn’t go as far as his former Vice-President and endorse Kamala Harris, but if he were going to vote for Trump why wouldn’t he say so?  

Even closer to home, when Trump had the votes for the nomination but had not been confirmed at the convention, both Congressman Don Bacon and Mayor Jean Stothert said that they would vote for the Republican nominee, showing their loyalty to the party but not the candidate.  

Let’s look at some recent Congress history.  When Jim Jordan was up to be the Speaker of the House, only a handful of Republican Congressmen had the courage to vote against him in a public vote. Our own Don Bacon was one of them. But when the Republican members of Congress met in private for a secret ballot 112 voted against Jordan.  No profiles in courage from those Republicans. 

I will continue to back up my theory with the votes on abortion in historically red states like Kansas.  When abortion is repeatedly on the ballot, the states vote to keep it legal.  These more traditional Republicans either stay quiet on the issue in public, or say they are pro-life to their friends at church, but when push comes to shove at the ballot box they vote to keep it safe and legal.  

In past Presidential races Nebraska’s so called blue dot has voted for the Democrat for President and the Republican for Congress.  In fact, both Lee Terry and Don Bacon have run campaigns in the past supporting that split vote. 

We are living in a different political climate today and it is time for more Republicans to join die hard conservatives like Dick and Liz Cheney, Mike Pence, Chuck Hagel, Adam Kinsinger, John Bolton, Mitt Romney, and countless others and speak out against Trump.  

The country can fix bad policy, but it cannot survive an autocracy.  Cowards like Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley, Pete Ricketts, and other Republicans that have jumped on the Trump train after pointing out his lack of character, morals, and ethics in the past know that that is right even if they are afraid to say so out loud.  

Don’t forget J.D. Vance would be a heartbeat away from the Presidency if the 78 year old with diminishing mental agility were to get back in the White House. Vance believes that school shootings are just a fact of life and that if you don’t have children, you are less of an American. Is that a country you want to live in? 

I have many Republican friends that say they are going to vote for Trump. I know these people. They are smart decent folks who want to feel a part of a group. I know that deep down they are not MAGA people, but they are afraid to say so aloud. 

Will any of them vote for Kamala Harris once they get behind the curtain? I believe some of them will. I cannot prove it, but I believe it to be true.

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.