The rally featured offensive and racist comments from speakers, which may have alienated key voter groups, particularly Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.
Republicans have a substantial lead in early voting, driven by high turnout in rural areas and a shift in voting behavior encouraged by the Trump campaign.
Democrats are worried because they need to win a close race by a small margin, and the current Republican lead in early voting is unprecedented and could indicate a broader shift.
Nevada's automatic voter registration system registers individuals as nonpartisan if they do not choose a party, leading to a large number of nonpartisan voters, many of whom are considered 'zombie voters' who are unlikely to vote.
The unusual early voting patterns and increased Republican turnout have encouraged the NRSC to invest more resources, suggesting they believe they have a chance to win the seat.
In Nevada, 80-90% of votes are typically cast before Election Day, and the current Republican lead in early voting is unprecedented, indicating a potential shift in voter behavior.
Tara starts the pod by recalling her experiences at Donald Trump’s recent campaign rally at Madison Square Garden. She’s then joined by journalist and political commentator Jon Ralston to discuss the recent Republican enthusiasm in the key swing state of Nevada as we head into next week’s election. They analyze the unusual voter turnout pattern in the Silver State, talk about why there are so many registered independents among its residents, and break down how Democrats and Republicans motivate their bases.
For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20.
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Jon Ralston
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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