HELENA - Montana's turn to bask in the national political spotlight ends Tuesday when Democratic primary voters will pick between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the most significant and fiercely contested presidential primary in state history...At last - at last! Montanans get the worldwide attention and buzz they've craved! Why, maybe the kids won't move to Seattle after all.
Long shunned by major presidential candidates from both parties whose nominations were inevitably decided by the time Montanans finally cast their presidential ballots in early June, this year has been an aberration.
Montana's late presidential primary has attracted unprecedented interest this year from Clinton, Obama and their surrogates as they scrap for delegate votes in their prolonged fight for the Democratic nomination.
The Missoulian included a sentimental photo retrospective of this year's candidate appearances with a full-length back shot of the Great One standing before his adoring fans reaching out to touch the hem of his garment - because, after all, he may never pass this way again. Wow, that's almost poignant.
Meanwhile, a little dig at the GOP's caucus:
On the Republican side the names of John McCain, the presumptive nominee, and Ron Paul, will appear on the ballot Tuesday, but the results are meaningless. The state Republican Party held a Feb. 5 caucus of 1,600 party and elected officials, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney winning the state's 25 delegate votes. He dropped out of the race shortly thereafter.
Meaningless? Well, not really. As Montana Headlines pointed out, it would take a lot of chutzpah for the state delegation to ignore the results of its own official June 3 straw poll.
Anyway, to answer your question, of course we Republicans are jealous. Have we seen anything of our putative nominee, John McCain? Nope, nada, zip. Ron Paul made one notable visit, and is scheduled to appear at our state convention in Missoula June 20. FYI, Mr. Missoulapolis and I will be there.
But personally, I think Montana is fabulous even without all the media trucks. I remember when no one knew where this place was. Missoula? I remember when there wasn't even a mall in Missoula , and only one McDonald's. I remember when we were off everyone's radar. Oh, to return to those days.
But with all the Democratic activity in Montana, I do rather worry that voters will get caught up in all the excitement and forget that we are a red state, yes? But I have no doubt that the state GOP leaders are busily working behind the scenes to ensure McCain appears at not only the state convention but maybe at a few more choice Montana locations before November, in order to win our three electoral votes.
Oh, wait...
6 comments:
Yah, I remember Montana when democrats were, well, Democrats and Republicans were Republicans.
But both sides "felt proud of their country in their adult lives". Nobody "g-d-ed america".
Neither side wanted to make a voter's belief in Pentatuchal Law a litmus test for entry into the party.
We mostly voted for the guy or sometimes gal, who we respected and trusted the most, and maybe that was not within the party line.
After years of teaching that government has all the answers, isn't it fitting that candidates are now presented as Saviors and party ideologies "purified" by the "true believer"?
Make government less consequential and powerful, and it will become more rational again.
PS, that's not a Ron Paul endorsement, even if it is libertarian.
Sorry, but the Mountain Man Trial in Virginia City (pop. 700) got more national attention for Montana.
And then there was Ted Kaczynski…
Yes I remember, and the Freemen standoff, and the chlorine spill in Alberton.. I didn't say this was the most publicity MT has ever gotten.
Well, you have to admit Clinton and Obama are the wrost publicity MT has ever gotten.
How is it that Chuck Johnson's got you guys all riled up, but we got crickets when one of your own, Andy Hammond, went beyond calling the primary "meaningless" and advocated full-on sabotage. Hypocrites...
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