The MeidasTouch Podcast: Republicans Stunned by Shock Loss…in Nebraska?!

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Hosts:

• Ben Meiselas – Top lawyer and Colin Kaepernick’s business partner
• Brett Meiselas – Two-time Emmy award-winning video editor
• Jordy Meiselas – Award-winning advertising executive and fan favorite

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers delve into the unexpected and significant political shift in Nebraska, where Republicans experienced a shocking defeat in a key mayoral race. This episode blends insightful political analysis with engaging brotherly banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the factors leading to this surprising outcome.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Unexpected Republican Defeat in Omaha, Nebraska

   The episode begins with the political analyst highlighting a remarkable defeat for Republicans in Omaha, a traditionally stronghold. “Republicans just suffered a stunning, shocking and decisive defeat in a critical mayor's race showing the unpopularity of Donald Trump and the overall MAGA brand,” the analyst states at [00:28].

   • Election Results:
     • Jean Stothert, the longest-serving Republican incumbent mayor, lost her seat to John Ewing Jr., the Democratic candidate.
     • The defeat marks a 20-point swing from the previous election, where Stothert won easily.

2. Campaign Strategies: MAGA vs. Pragmatic Governance

   The analysts dissect the contrasting campaign strategies of the candidates:

   • Jean Stothert’s Campaign:

     • Focused on MAGA-aligned issues such as anti-trans policies and bathroom bills.
     • “Stothert was running on a platform closely tied to all of the MAGA talking points. Anti trans. She kept on talking about bathrooms,” [00:28].

   • John Ewing Jr.’s Campaign:

     • Emphasized local issues like potholes, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.
     • “John is focused on fixing potholes, actually getting things done for the American people and not focused on all of these MAGA Republican distractions,” [03:38].

3. Victory and Concession Speeches

   The podcast features clips from both the victory speech of John Ewing Jr. and the concession speech of Jean Stothert, highlighting their contrasting tones and priorities.

   • John Ewing Jr.’s Victory Speech:

     • “Tonight we embark on a new chapter. I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as your mayor elect,” [03:02].

   • Jean Stothert’s Concession Speech:

     • Reflective and gracious, focusing on gratitude and the future.
     • “We are proud, we are grateful and we are hopeful. I've loved every minute that I have been at City Hall,” [03:38].

4. Public and Party Reactions

   • Messages and Social Media Posts:

     • DNC Chair Ken Martin and other Democrats celebrated the victory as a sign of the weakening MAGA influence.
     • “Nebraska Dems and the Dem mayor got this done. Watch out GOP. We are winning all over the country,” [04:12].

   • Political Advertisements:

     • Democratic ads criticized Stothert’s focus on culture war issues versus Ewing’s attention to practical problems.
     • “Gene is focused on potties. John is focused on fixing potholes,” [04:12].

5. Ground Realities and Public Sentiment

   The podcast explores grassroots reactions and the local population’s shift away from MAGA rhetoric.

   • Public Protests and Concerns:

     • Highlighted significant protests against Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans in Nebraska.
     • “People have been showing up to town halls of MAGA Republican Congress members,” [06:47].

   • Economic and Social Concerns:

     • Issues like tax cuts for billionaires affecting Social Security and Medicaid.
     • “Crowds chanting tax the rich in the ruby red district of Republican Representative Mike Flood,” [07:43].

6. Broader Implications for the GOP

   The analysts discuss how this loss could signal a broader trend of diminishing Republican influence in traditionally conservative areas.

   • Loss of Trust in Republican Leadership:

     • “People are losing trust in the Republican leaders in Nebraska,” [09:44].

   • Leadership and Policy Critique:

     • Criticism of the current administration’s departure from established Republican legacies.
     • “We are undermining that legacy right now,” [09:59].

Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Political Analyst:

  • “Republicans just suffered a stunning, shocking and decisive defeat in a critical mayor's race showing the unpopularity of Donald Trump and the overall MAGA brand,” [00:28].
  • “Gene is focused on potties. John is focused on fixing potholes.” [04:12]
  • “We are the boss, not the President. We are their constituents,” [07:20]

• Jean Stothert:

  • “We are proud, we are grateful and we are hopeful. I've loved every minute that I have been at City Hall,” [03:38].

• John Ewing Jr.:

  • “Tonight we embark on a new chapter. I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as your mayor elect,” [03:02].

• Republican Representative Don Bacon:

  • “People are losing trust in the Republican leaders in Nebraska,” [09:44].

Analysis and Insights

The Meiselas brothers provide a thorough analysis of how the focus on divisive culture war issues by Republicans, particularly under the MAGA banner, alienated voters in Omaha. In contrast, the Democratic candidate’s emphasis on tangible local issues resonated more with the electorate. This episode underscores a possible national trend where practical governance overshadows ideological battles, leading to significant political shifts even in conservative territories.

Conclusions

The surprising mayoral shift in Omaha serves as a critical indicator of the evolving political landscape in the United States. The Meiselas brothers conclude that this defeat for the GOP could herald further losses if the party continues to prioritize divisive issues over substantive local concerns. As Nebraska flips blue for the first time in 12 years, the implications for future elections nationwide are profound, suggesting that voter priorities may be shifting towards effective governance and away from partisan rhetoric.

Stay Connected: For more in-depth analyses and updates, tune into The MeidasTouch Podcast every Tuesday and Friday morning, and catch live video episodes every Monday and Thursday night at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel.