Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary: 

• Montana Campaign News
  • MT-01 GOP Debate
  • Forstag Releases First Ad
  • Campaign Mailers Update
• Congress Approval Rating
• Hegseth: Flu Vaccine Optional
• One More Thing

2026 MONTANA CAMPAIGN NEWS

MT-01 GOP Debate…

Two of the four candidates for Montana’s Western District U.S. House race debated at a church in Bozeman Tuesday evening. 

Aaron Flint and Al Olszewski went head-to-head for 90 minutes in a debate that sounded pretty polite. Given that it was held at Calvary Chapel church in Bozeman, one would expect nothing less than love and kindness. 

Some of the reports said that Flint mentioned, no fewer than eight times, that he is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Al Olszewski mentioned Trump by name only a couple of times.  

I guess you have to play the cards you are dealt. 

Flint is a friend, but sadly, he has sold his soul to the MAGAs. Olszewski not so much. Since it will take a few years for Montana to catch up with the rest of the country in its disapproval of Trump, Flint may be able to ride the MAGA wave to win this election. 

You can read three different reports about the debate HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Forstag Releases First Ad…

Democrat Sam Forstag’s campaign released its first ad of the election, “Go Time,” which highlights his working-class background, experience fighting for Montanans, and the broad coalition of support that he claims makes him the best candidate to win both the (MT-01) June 2 primary and the general election in November. (Source)

You can view the video HERE. 

Campaign Mailers Update…

For the new readers, I try to keep track of the campaign literature received during the campaign season. Some of the better mailers get shown on The Western Word. 

So far this primary campaign season, I have received 13 campaign mailers. That is through Wednesday (April 22).

Please make sure you save your mailers and recycle them!   

CONGRESS APPROVAL RATING:

Gallup polling is reporting that Americans’ approval of Congress has fallen to 10%, barely above its all-time low of 9%, while disapproval has climbed to 86%, tying the record high for the institution. 

But the average reelection rate for members of the U.S. Congress is consistently high, typically exceeding 90% for both the House and Senate in recent decades. (Source)

That is, unless they quit to keep from losing or resign due to a scandal…

HEGSETH – FLU VACCINE OPTIONAL:

Another ridiculous move by the Trump Administration…

Annual influenza vaccines are no longer mandatory, said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in a video posted Tuesday on social media. (Source)

“The notion that a flu vaccine must be mandatory for every service member, everywhere, in every circumstance, at all times, is just overly broad and not rational,” the secretary said. “Our new policy is simple: If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it; you should. But we will not force you.”

The Associated Press reported on the new policy and reported that the Congressional Research Service listed eight mandatory vaccines for service members in a 2021 report. They included vaccines for the flu, polio and tetanus as well as the measles and hepatitis A and B. 

The AP also found that the Congressional Research Service noted that the military instituted its first vaccination program in 1777 when Gen. George Washington directed the inoculation of the Continental Army to protect personnel from smallpox.

The first mandatory flu vaccine for U.S. military personnel was instituted in 1945. The context of the influenza vaccine for military personnel is rooted in World War I. The pandemic of 1918 was tremendously devastating to troops, with 20–40 % of U.S. Army and Navy personnel getting ill, leading to about 8,743,102 lost duty days. The toll would amount to over 26,000 deaths among American soldiers. (Source) 

When I served, I was qualified to deploy anywhere in the world, which entitled me to receive many vaccines. I still get flu and COVID vaccines. Hegseth’s decision could have dire consequences. 

ONE MORE THING:

My circle is so small that when the phone rings, I know it’s scammers. 

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