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

• Term Limit Lawsuit Update
• How Low Can He Go?
• One More Thing

TERM LIMIT LAWSUIT UPDATE:

Montana State Representatives Llew Jones and Steve Fitzpatrick finally had their afternoon in court yesterday. 

According to several reports, including the Daily Montanan, Montana District Court Judge Chris Abbott said he will decide the lawsuit quickly. Whatever the outcome, expect the Montana Supreme Court to have the last say on the blatantly political opinion issued by Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

This debacle stems entirely from hardline MAGA Republicans trying to purge moderate Republicans from the ballot. The Daily Montanan reported that Senate President Matt Regier, a Flathead Republican, requested Knudsen review Jones’ eligibility on July 9. That was just six weeks before the crucial August 20 ballot certification deadline. Instead of acting like a leader, Regier weaponized Knudsen’s power to eliminate intra-party competition. Knudsen obliged, issuing an opinion declaring Jones ineligible, with Fitzpatrick caught in the exact same trap.

Meanwhile, several thousand voters who supported Jones and Fitzpatrick might watch their choices get flushed down the drain instead of taking office. History will not be kind to Regier and Knudsen. 

You can read the full coverage in the Daily Montanan and Lee Newspapers.

HOW LOW CAN HE GO?

Reuters is reporting that President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, ‌with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded on Monday.

Reuters reports that just 33% of respondents in the four-day survey said they approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, while 64% disapproved. Trump’s approval rating, down from 35% in a poll that closed earlier this month and ​lower than at any point in his current term, has now tied the lowest level of his prior term reached in December 2017.

I think if you are a Republican running for office or reelection, Trump’s approval rating being at 33% should concern you. It could affect the outcome of your race. Trump probably won’t be invited to many rallies if the contest is close.  

ONE MORE THING:

When I was little, I didn’t care what I wore; I just went along with what my parents chose. Looking back at old photo albums, I realize that they didn’t care either! 

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