Montana Question

R

roy reali

New member
How in the heck did you guys up there elect a guy like Schweitzer as governor? I just heard him speak at the DNC. I always thought Montana was a conservative if not a common sense state. So, how did it happen?
 
Well Montana has always had a strong independent streak. Its not a liberal or conservative state. While the people are more libertarian than conservative in their politics. It tends to switch sides during elections, for instance it went Regan and Clinton twice. During the past 100 years Montana has been controlled more often by Dems than Republicans. Some of the most famous Dem congressman have come from Montana. Mike Mansfield was a legend in his time. At this time the state is pretty blue, with a Dem controlled legislature, Governor and Senate seats. It is important to note that the Dems in the state tend to be far more conservative than their eastern counter parts. But that seems to be changing as more Californians move into the state. I would not be surprised if the state goes to Obama in Nov.
 
It is important to note that the Dems in the state tend to be far more conservative than their eastern counter parts.
Click to expand...

I agree with most of what Forwardassist said there, with this being a definite qualifier. Montana is a lot more Democratic than you might think, we just like our Democrats a little more conservative. Which is why it's a harder state to pick up in a Presidential election than Congressional or state...the party tends to nominate folks who appeal to the coasts.

But yeah, with a Democratic governor, two Dem Senators, and a long history of Dem reps we're really only a red state every four years or so, and only on one part of the ballot.

Though perhaps I've not lived here long enough (ten years or so) to really say "we," at least by Montana standards (but at least I'm not from California, or any other "blue" state).

At least from my experience the most common position up here is socially libertarian but largely centrist or even liberal economically.

The main point I'll disagree on is that I'll be very surprised if this state goes for Obama. Now, you run a gun-friendly Democrat, and I think this state would be a lot easier to deliver.

Keep in mind, as you listen to Schweitzer, that the dude is pretty strongly pro-gun. One can be liberal on one issue (or one set of issues) and conservative on others.
 
Another Question

I am surprised to be honest and a bit confused about the great state of Montana. I have never been there, but I hope to change that one day. When I lived in California I knew several people that had visited Montana. From what they told me, folks up there are not generally too fond of folks from California. One guy even would park his truck inside a garage so that his license plates were not visible. Then there are the various jokes I have heard about Montana, most of which poke fun at its conservatve nature.

I guess I just had the wrong impression of Montana.
 
I am surprised to be honest and a bit confused about the great state of Montana. I have never been there, but I hope to change that one day. When I lived in California I knew several people that had visited Montana. From what they told me, folks up there are not generally too fond of folks from California. One guy even would park his truck inside a garage so that his license plates were not visible. Then there are the various jokes I have heard about Montana, most of which poke fun at its conservatve nature.

I guess I just had the wrong impression of Montana.
Click to expand...

Well, compared to California Montana is conservative...but that's not hard! Montana really, to me at least, is a great example of why it's really impossible sometimes to define political views on a strictly one-dimensional black/white liberal/conservative scale. Montana also has the same thing going that most states do, where inside the "cities" (anybody who's been here knows why that is in quotes) people tend to be a bit more liberal, whereas when you get out into the middle of nowhere....well, less so.

The big difference is where the scale runs...the whole thing is just kind of shifted right.


Also, on the California issue, a big problem we have up here is people who decide to get out of California, then the first thing they do is try to make wherever they move to just like California...except maybe with less people.

But then more and more of them keep coming, so really even that isn't guaranteed.

If we wanted to live in California, we'd move there. If you want to live in Montana (not California with a few less people), move here. And yes, I know we are far from the only state dealing with these idiots.
 
^ Given that, can you guys help fix the problem of CA doing what it's doing instead of waiting for it to come to you? If we don't work together to squash the PRK communism and gun grabbing there won't be freedom anywhere.
 
How in the heck did you guys up there elect a guy like Schweitzer as governor?
Click to expand...
Several factors let up to it.

Bad taste in the mouth #1: Former Republican governor (1992-2000) Marc Racicot, a world class idiot who screwed up bigtime, left a huge mess, and went on to be a lobbyist and campaign man for W.

Bad taste in the mouth #2: Former Republican governor (2000-2004) Judy Martz, another corrupt governor whose approval ratings were the lowest in the country (something like 9% approval at the end of her term.)

Bad taste in the mouth #3: Republican Conrad Burns, longtime incumbent Senator from Montana running for re-election in 2004 (and failing) was found to be one of the most corrupt men in congress in his dealings with Abramoff.

Bad taste in the mouth #4: George Bush, and his flagging popularity.

These jokers paved the way for an easy democratic victory in 2004, also in the Senate, when democrat John Tester replaced Burns to became our other Senator (both democrats now.)

Schweitzer sure doesn't talk like that when he's back home. It could even come back to haunt him during his own re-election campaign. Schweitzer isn't all bad, he got an A from the NRA, he keeps a rifle on his wall in his office, and his dog comes with him to work (both illegally, I might add.)

People in Montana are very unified in our pro gun rights positions, and you'll find that we don't tolerate any gun grabbing, even from our Democrats.
 
Californians

At least you folks in Montana have the buffer of a few states between you and the Golden State. We are right next door!:eek:
 
IIRC, Schweitzer also ran (and won) with a Republican for vice governor on his ticket.

As long as the topic is Schweitzer, and this is a gun forum, here's another funny recent tale. (Source.) Don't tell me we're only a little more conservative than Kalifornia...

Survey sheds light on gun issue in governor's race
By MATT GOURAS, AP
Posted: 2008-08-04 20:26:00
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Very little separates Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Republican challenger Roy Brown when it comes to gun rights.

Schweitzer, in a recent survey, said he will continue to keep a rifle on display in his office - despite a city ordinance that bans guns in the state Capitol.

While the Helena city attorney says the governor is in a gray area, Brown thinks Schweitzer is breaking the law. Brown says he doesn't like that idea and would change state law so that anyone could bring guns into public buildings. Unlike Schweitzer, Brown also wants guns to be allowed on college campuses.

The differences appear on a questionnaire the two filled out for the Montana Shooting Sports Association.

The organization said the survey was aimed at helping it choose which candidate to endorse; however, the group picked Brown before it even received the governor's response.

Still, the answers shed light on at least one gun issue the candidates disagree on - whether guns should be allowed in public buildings.

Schweitzer says he doesn't want to change the state law that allows cities to ban guns in public buildings, even though he keeps a gun in his office. He pointed to cases in other states where "deranged" guys with guns have gotten in.

"Most states have metal detectors. We don't," Schweitzer said.

Schweitzer suggested the rifle on his wall might be used for personal protection, although he said it's not loaded and is disabled with a gun lock.

Helena City Attorney David Nielsen said it's not clear whether Schweitzer is skirting the law, since the gun is on the wall as a display. But he says the police would probably frown on the notion of the governor carrying the gun through the building, even on the way to the office.

"I don't know that we are going to bust into the governor's office and seize the rifle," Nielsen said. "I guess if we saw him packing it in, we would say, 'You really can't have that in the hallway. Get your dog on a leash, and take care of that gun."'

Brown, a state senator from Billings, was critical of Schweitzer's stance on the issue.

"There is a law that says you aren't supposed to have one in there," Brown said. "I would follow the law and try to get it changed."

However, Brown said he doesn't think any security guards or law enforcement officers in the Capitol should enforce the gun ban on the governor.

Brown said a ban on guns in public buildings won't stop a "crazy person" intent on hurting people. It only keeps guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens and makes them "senseless victims," he said.

"It's just preposterous to think that crazy people that are going to break the law are going to pay attention to a law that says you are not supposed to have a gun in there," Brown said.

Brown said the same logic applies to his desire to let people bring guns onto college campuses.

He said one gun owner could have put an end to the Virginia Tech massacre.

Schweitzer said he wouldn't sue the Board of Regents to force colleges to allow guns on campuses, issue an executive order along the same lines, or otherwise force the agency to do so.

The current gun bans are OK with Schweitzer, even though he says he recalls possessing firearms when he was in college.

"I think the status quo is fine in that regard," he said. "You know, we have gun-free zones in our schools, and that seems to be working across Montana."

Schweitzer wasn't worried about losing the MSSA endorsement to Brown, dismissing the group as a "Republican front group." He noted that the group endorsed Brown even before it received Schweitzer's questionnaire.

Schweitzer says the endorsement he received from the National Rifle association earlier this year is more meaningful.

The president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, Gary Marbut, said he likes Schweitzer's populist personality and the fact he has not been in government his whole life. But Brown got the endorsement in part because he had a long voting record as a state lawmaker.

He said his group endorses purely on gun issues, but he acknowledged more Republicans get the nod.

And the gun in the governor's office? The MSSA leader doesn't like it.

"I think that if he wants to have a gun in the governor's office, he needs to join with us and change that law," Marbut said. "Let's get the law fixed, because it's a stupid law."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Click to expand...
 
IIRC, Schweitzer also ran (and won) with a Republican for vice governor on his ticket.
Click to expand...

He did, though at this point Bohlinger has been all but ousted from the party for running with him.

Nice article, too. I knew about Schweitzer's gun, and the law (and the silliness thereof), but I was unaware of Brown's position on the matter. Hopefully someday we can make that law die the death it so richly deserves.
 
Also, on the California issue, a big problem we have up here is people who decide to get out of California, then the first thing they do is try to make wherever they move to just like California...except maybe with less people.
Click to expand...

Thats the same problem we have here in Colorado. :barf:

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read..."Welcome to Colorado...NOW GO HOME". :D:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top