Daily Archives: February 14, 2008

Tough Times

One of my favorite bumper stickers says, “Tough Times Won’t Last, but Tough People Will.”

Maybe I should send one to Democratic U.S. House Candidate Jim Hunt, because it’s been a tough couple of days for him after announcing he’s running against Congressman Denny Rehberg.

It appears Hunt did not understand (after retiring as a Lt. Colonel from the National Guard) that his honorable service to our country does not allow him to hold campaign events on the grounds of Fort Harrison, which is a Department of Defense installation. That reminds me, Fort Harrison is the military installation that Conrad Burns built up, along with Malmstrom AFB.

Supposedly Hunt had to move the event off Fort Harrison to just outside the gate after the rules were explained him. That’s tough.

Then it appears that by his remarks on Montana Public Radio the other day, the Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party plans on “really” trying to beat Rehberg in 2010 and not 2008. The Executive Director says it’s a three-year strategy to beat Rehberg. Also, according to a couple of articles, Mr. Hunt had to find the Democrats to tell them he was running, which has to be a downer for a new candidate (especially one who has their own money). That’s tough, too.

If I were the Montana Democrats, I’d skip this three-year strategy deal and start developing a four-year strategy to keep Rehberg from beating Jon Tester in 2012.

Finally, it also appears that Hunt may be a “sacrificial lamb” as so many Democrats have decided not to run against Rehberg. I even found a “sacrificial lamb video” that explains all this (both in words and in photos). You gotta love Google!

So yes, we have the start of the 2008 YouTube elections in Montana, which should be bigger, better, and harder hitting than 2006!

Tough Times won’t last…

Questions, Questions, Questions…

For the right…

Just the other day, I received a letter from Focus on the Family asking me if I was ready to “Shake the Nation” in 2008 by getting people registered, educated and motivated to vote in 2008. As I was reading the material I thought, “Yes I am! I will vote for the candidate that most believes in what I believe.”

Focus on the Family was founded by Dr. James Dobson. I have subscribed to Focus on the Family for years and appreciate what they do.

After reading the information from Focus on the Family, I remember that Dr. Dobson sent his buddy, Laura Ingraham, a letter that was read on her radio show about the presidential candidates.

In part, Dr. Dobson wrote:

If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. –Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family Action 02/05/08. Accessed 021408

So, Dr. Dobson appears to not believe what his group is, shall we say, preaching. Why?

For the left…

During his campaign for United States Senate in 2006, Jon Tester promised a lot of things. We won’t get into all of them, but I was wondering whatever happened to that “Montana judge” and the ethics audit that was supposed to happen every year? It is February 2008. I was also wondering if the “Montana judge” will be paid for the work with campaign or senate funds?

From the Tester Campaign Website:

More importantly, Jon Tester won’t just pass a law; he’ll set an example — by asking a Montana judge to conduct an ethics audit of his office every year, by posting a list of every lobbyist he meets with and by shutting his door to former members and staffers who try to cash in on their connections.

For the right and the left…

The word of the year is: GENERATION. Why does almost every candidate tout the fact that they have family who has lived in Montana for generations? Do they think that makes them more electable? Probably 50% of Montanans were born somewhere else. Some of us picked this state and do not live here by default.

For example:

Denny Rehberg is “a fifth-generation rancher…”

Jim Hunt is a “fourth-generation Montanan…”

Jon Tester is “a third-generation Montana farmer…”

Kirk Bushman is “a proud and committed fourth-generation Montanan…”

For those of you who are saying, “Well, Montanans need to elect only real Montanans,” please read on:

Name this person? (No cheating – answer to follow)

-This future politician was born outside of Montana

-He moved to Montana at an early age

-He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private First Class

-He was elected to the U.S. Senate for Montana

-After leaving the U.S. Senate he worked in Washington D.C., and in other places.

The Answer is: Mike Mansfield – probably the best politician this state has ever elected. Sen. Mansfield’s history sounds a lot like another senator we elected, who was also born out of state.

Questions, Questions, Questions…