Thread by @asanderford

Here’s a look at the resolution the @NEGOP is considering today expressing disappointment in @SenSasse.

A quick update: There's quite a bit of party business to get through in this central committee meeting before they get to new business. I'd expect something on the Sasse resolution around lunchtime central time.

For folks interested in party small ball, they're discussing platform amendments, GOP candidates who need support (including Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert), breaking up into congressional districts and being wooed. These are a lot of the core GOP activists in the state.

#Nebraska Secretary of State @NEvnen was just speaking to a group of #NE02 members of the State Central Committee. He said he backs winner take all legislation and would back voters doing it themselves if the Legislature can’t pass it.

Evnen also weighed in on Sasse, telling the group he backs the GOP resolution. He noted that it avoids the word censure “because censure is toothless.” He says it expresses disappointment and sadness in how Sasse has done his job, something Sasse can’t easily slough off.

From Evnen on Sasse: “I don’t want this guy living rent-free in my head anymore. Put him in the rear-view mirror.”

Group also heard from a rep of @CWHerbster saying his gubernatorial run is coming. There was a solid clue in little things circulating here. Staffer’s pitch: There’s no one more supportive of former President Donald Trump.

(Folks applauded.)

Herbster spokesman Dave Roberts, reached after the staffer spoke, said, “Charles W. Herbster plans to be a candidate for Nebraska Governor. An official announcement regarding his candidacy will be made soon.”

This was our look @OWHnews at the governor's race as it starts to take shape.

omaha.com/news/state-and…

The state's most centrist group of Republicans, in #NE02, voted to advance the measure on Sasse to the broader central committee later today. Only a handful of no votes.

The @NEGOP State Central Committee is about to eat lunch. They're listening to videos from members of the federal delegation who couldn't make it back to Columbus, including @RepDonBacon and @SenatorFischer.

Just heard @GovRicketts is supposed to speak in a bit.

Now @JeffFortenberry is speaking by video. Fortenberry: There are a lot of questions about what it means to be a Republican. I stand with the people who grow our food and make our things. (paraphrased)

3rd District @RepAdrianSmith now speaking by video. Saying he's fighting against the Biden agenda. Smith: I'm fighting for you in the halls of Congress. Republicans made huge gains in the last election. Looking forward to helping the GOP take the House in 2022. (paraphrase)

The video by @RepDonBacon mentioned his rural roots and his tour of western Nebraska as a member of the House Ag Committee. It sounded a like he hasn't yet shut the door on a possible run for governor, though he did say he's focused on helping achieve GOP congressional majorities

The video now is from @SenatorFischer. Fischer: This November's presidential election was frustrating for Republicans. She says Biden is forcing "the extreme liberal agenda" on Americans. Says he's spending like there is no tomorrow. "I was so proud to work with President Trump."

Fischer is doing a greatest hits of the Trump admin. Judges, peace deals, economic growth. Fischer: It shows us why elections matter. It reminds us that we all need to come together and work even harder to work together. "We are stronger when we are united."

Likely at least another half hour to an hour before they get back to the full group and can consider the Sasse resolution. Sorry for the delay. The breakout groups took a little longer than expected and they're eating lunch now.

Now @GovRicketts is speaking. He’s talking about seeing the grit of Nebraskans from the flooding through the pandemic. Ricketts: “We’ve tried to strike that balance.” Between slowing the spread of the virus and letting people live a more normal life.

Ricketts: The new emergency is coming out of Washington, policies out of Washington. President Joe Biden is preaching about unity, but everything out of the Democrats is the opposite (paraphrase).

Ricketts: They passed a $1.9 trillion stimulus package without a single Republican vote. They did nothing to try to compromise. They rejected more than 99 percent of amendments House Republicans offered. That's not unity. Passing this through reconciliation is not unity.

The governor is talking about parts of the bill he dislikes, money for the National Endowment for the Humanities, extending the PPP program to unions and Planned Parenthood.

Ricketts: Why would we want to buy energy from our enemies when we can sell it to our friends?

Ricketts is critiquing the idea that Democrats want transgendered athletes to compete in sports with the gender they identify with.

Ricketts: We have our own battle to fight to make sure our country remains free. That's why we're Republicans, and that's why we're all in this room today.

Ricketts: We have to unify as Republicans. We have to pull together. Donald Trump is not our president. But his legacy is the policies that benefitted this country.

Ricketts is giving the Trump greatest hits, income gains, ISIS fight, secure borders, etc.

Here’s a look at the crowd.

Ricketts: "When conservatives divide, liberals win." Whatever happens after today, we have to come together as a party, all of us, to fight back against the radical agenda that's coming our way. We've got to work together, to present that united front.

Governor is done speaking. They're headed into the ballroom to discuss the resolutions. There's also one about voting integrity.

Dan Welch is re-elected chairman of the @NEGOP.

Sarpy County GOP chair Nora Sandine said Sasse res. should be approved. Hitchcock County GOP chair asked that the resolution be updated to reference Sasse's impeachment vote and criticize the vote as questionable constitutionally. Most legal scholars say it was constitutional.

Chair Dan Welch rules the amendment is out of order. Says the material has been covered in the resolution.

Proponents of the measure are saying they will face criticism for not censuring Sasse, and for attacking him.

One just said censure up or down would be more honest.

Someone tried to get the measure tabled. Effort failed.

Opponents of the Sasse resolution speaking today include Tim Heller, who helped stop Douglas County from being able to pass a drafted censure resolution on Tuesday.

Dan Welch, chair, is now saying if the group wants to make it a censure measure, they can. Welch: I'm open to talking about that. I want to be sure the language in the amendment is what the majority wants.

Someone has just motioned to add the words "and stands rebuked" by the NEGOP."

Motion to express disappointment and sadness and rebuke Sasse passes as amended. About a fourth of the room or so opposed it.

Here’s a response from @SenSasse. Story coming on @OWHnews.

And here is the final resolution language:

To clarify what happened, the @NEGOP's State Central Committee passed a resolution expressing sadness and disappointment with @SenSasse for his performance as a senator. The measure was less focused on former President Donald Trump than censure measures passed by county parties.

The measure did not include the word censure, but did add the word rebuke. It read like an effort to wound Sasse and make it harder for him to run in the future, instead of a formal censure.

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