Today is Thursday, November 16, 2023, and these are the topics for today:

• U.S. Senate Montana 2024
• Government Shutdown
• The Circus Series Finale
• The Insurrectionist Next Door
• One More Thing

U.S. SENATE MONTANA 2024:

In what was probably a bummer for the Republican Party, the Flathead Beacon reported that Kalispell Libertarian Sid Daoud launched his run for the U.S. Senate on Monday, entering an already competitive 2024 race on a third-party ticket.

Why would that be a bummer for Republicans? In two of Jon Tester’s three races for the U.S. Senate, the Libertarian candidate received votes that would have probably gone to the Republican candidate if the Libertarian was not running. The vote totals in 2006 and 2012 for the Libertarian candidate were more than Tester won the contest by, but in 2018 Tester beat Rosendale outside of that margin.

Often the Green Party takes votes from the Democrats. I don’t know if they will field a candidate for U.S. Senate or not this time. The Republicans can only hope.

Check out Daoud’s website HERE.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN:

It’s kind of like the House and the Senate were saying “Happy Holidays” as they voted to avert a government shutdown at least until the holidays are over.

The House passed a bill to temporarily fund the government into the new year on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it. That was done on Tuesday. The MAGA guys from Montana, U.S. Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke voted against the continuing resolution. (Source)

Over in the Senate, they passed the bill 87-11. It now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT) voted for the bill. (Source)

So, the can was kicked down the road for a few months.

THE CIRCUS SERIES FINALE:

In case you did not hear the news, “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” had their series finale Sunday evening on Showtime. I love this show!

If you never watched it, Showtime says, The Circus is an up-close look at the altered state of our union. As the country veers into uncharted territory, hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri go beyond the headlines to examine the politics impacting us all.

I hope some other network picks up the show. It was a must-watch on Sunday night!

THE INSURRECTIONIST NEXT DOOR:

A documentary that I found fascinating was “The Insurrectionist Next Door” on HBO. Alexandra Pelosi (Yes, Nancy’s daughter) turns her camera on people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021; through interviews conducted over two years, Pelosi talks to individuals charged with crimes for their participation in the unprecedented events of the day.

Check out the website HERE.

ONE MORE THING:

Never mess with old people because the thought of “Life in Prison” is no longer a deterrent. -Various

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