I have to agree that it is a big overstatement to call Montana a Democratic stronghold.
What has happened is that Montana is no longer a state where Bozo the clown could run as a Republican and get elected.
We need good candidates who are adequately funded.
Jon Tester’s election was the result of a “perfect storm” — a scandal-plagued Conrad Burns with a penchant for shooting himself in the foot every time he opened his mouth, the worst national Republican electoral climate in at least 20 years, and a Montana Democratic party that had figured out how to run a farmer as a populist conservative.
And with all of that, he barely won — in fact, had the campaign gone on just a day or two more, Burns would probably have won. The tide was rapidly turning and Republicans were coming home to Conrad, who was and is a good man.
Excellent points ... now, who WILL the GOP run to win back Montana???
OK, I probably overstated the “stronghold” part. I’ve only lived full time in Montana for 4+ years, having moved here from California myself. I have to tell you that I expected a Republican “stronghold” and have been constantly amazed at the way Montana has voted since I’ve been here. Do you know that cigarettes cost more here than in California? It’s for the children you know. That cigarette tax passed a couple of years ago with 70% of the vote. And now they are trying to add another $1.60 a pack.
I moved to a town that has about 5000 people, a large town for Montana, and the vehement hatred of GWB has taken me aback.
I see the ranchers here selling out for millions to people from elsewhere, mainly California and Washington and those people don’t have the same mindset as the old ranchers, believe me! The young people think Montana should have a sales tax too. The politicians copied California’s deregulation and put Montana Power out of business and now electricity is much more expensive. That was before my time, when Republicans were in charge. The water in this town comes from an underground aquafer, supposedly one of the largest in the world and does not have to be treated at all and is gravity fed, yet it is more expensive than other towns in Montana. There are 240 new houses being built for people who graduated from high school here, made money elsewhere and now want to return. Do you think they will retain their conservative bent?
I just see changes happening fast in what I thought would be a better place to live, politically. True, the cost of living is not bad, if you stay home. I could go on but I’m sure I’ve already said more than you want to hear.
BTW, did Conrad Burns come home to live?