Nebraska senator Ben Sasse rebukes 'dangerous ploy' to fight president-elect Joe Biden's victory

WASHINGTON: Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska has issued a pointed rebuke of GOP attempts to object Jan 6 to the Electoral College tally of the presidential election, warning colleagues against a "dangerous ploy" that could damage the nation's civic traditions.

Sasse, a potential 2024 presidential contender, posted a lengthy explanation on Thursday of his views on social media, including a paragraph by paragraph dismantling of allegations of voter fraud in key states won by President-elect Joe Biden.

Sasse said he felt compelled to speak "truth" as constituents and those supporting President Donald Trump wanted to know where he stands on the issue. "I will not be participating in a project to overturn the election," Sasse wrote.

He said he wanted to explain "why I have been urging my colleagues also to reject this dangerous ploy". Trump, the first president to lose a reelection bid in almost 30 years, has attributed his defeat to widespread voter fraud, despite nonpartisan election officials saying there wasn't any.

He has pushed Republican senators to pursue his unfounded charges even though the Electoral College this month cemented Biden's 306-232 victory and multiple legal efforts to challenge the results have failed.

The missive from Sasse offers the Republican Party a different path for the post-Trump era, in stark contrast to other Republicans - most notably, Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri - who are leading the challenge during next week's joint session of Congress.

Hawley became the first GOP senator this week to announce he will raise objections when Congress meets to affirm Biden's victory in the election, forcing House and Senate votes that are likely to delay - but in no way alter - the final certification of Biden's win.