I know the consequences of this election are very serious, but there are some things that are going on that just make me chuckle.

Like the ads where Brinker Harding is throwing horseshoes, now I agree with him that the extremes on the left and the right have gone too far. I agree that both sides need to work together to find common ground.

But it makes me chuckle saying that he wants to work with Democrats when he has not only been endorsed by, but has accepted the endorsement of Donald Trump. Endorsed by a man who encouraged a crowd to storm the Capitol and block the certification of a free and fair election. Storming the Capitol when you lose, and then refusing to attend the swearing-in ceremony of your successor doesn’t set off a let’s all work together vibe now, does it?

Harding has also brought Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in town to campaign for him. Johnson, who sends the House into recess if there’s an outcome on a vote the President might not like. How will Brinker be able to throw that horseshoe right down the middle when Mike Johnson has shut down the game?

To think that as a freshman congressman, Brinker Harding would stand up and challenge the President when every other Republican has bowed down before him is almost comical.

The back and forth between Denise Powell and Brinker Harding when it comes to the Epstein Files is no laughing matter, however.

You may have seen the news story when the traveling Epstein Files exhibit came to Omaha. Powell got in front of the cameras with an Epstein survivor to talk about how there are still about 2.5 million pages of Epstein-related documents that have yet to be released.

The Harding campaign countered that photo op by pointing out that Powell’s campaign received donations from Reid Hoffman, whose name appears in those files. But they failed to mention the fact that Harding would be subservient to a man who is actively blocking the release of those files. A document where he’s mentioned on page after page. A man who hung out and partied with Epstein. A man who rode on Epstein’s plane at least 8 times. A man who wished the convicted pedophile a Happy Birthday and said that “may every day be another wonderful secret."

It might have been smarter for the Harding campaign to leave that accusation against Powell alone.

I also smiled when I found out that Harding’s people have circulated an article I wrote in the Omaha Daily Record where I wasn’t all that flattering to Denise Powell.

And it’s true. During the Democratic Primary, I did write about the nasty campaign that she ran against John Cavanaugh. Denise Powell would not have been my first choice to run against Harding.

Because of that nasty campaign, the Cavanaugh people came up with the phrase Dark Money Denise, which will follow her now through the rest of her political career.

Her campaign against Cavanaugh included the fear that if he left the Unicameral to go to DC, Pillen would appoint a Republican to fill his spot, and Nebraska would lose the blue dot.

But I was more concerned with Republicans having control of all three branches of government than I am about losing the blue dot.

Which is why even though she wasn’t my first choice, Denise Powell will get my vote.

When one party has control of the House, Senate, and White House, bad things can happen. It doesn’t matter if the Republicans or Democrats are in charge. A divided government that will genuinely work across the aisle on behalf of the American people should be the goal.

Will both sides start working together if the Democrats gain control and Donald Trump becomes a lame duck? I’m not that optimistic, but there’s a better chance of the bipartisanship Brinker Harding talks about when he’s pitching horseshoes than if Mike Johnson remains Speaker of the House.

Brinker Harding is a good man who has served his constituents well for years. If the political climate were different, there’s a good chance I might have voted for him.

The consequences of this election, however, are way too serious.

I don’t doubt that Brinker Harding honestly thinks he could work across the aisle. But with the occupant in the White House blocking bipartisanship, his optimism makes me laugh.

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.