Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
His campaign has gone silent. He’s canceled events, including a fundraiser in Jackson Hole. My sources report support for him among Democratic activists and leaders is fading fast, and that while few have put anything in writing, many have have said his campaign cannot be salvaged and that he must withdraw, preferably yesterday. He’s lost the confidence of his party.
Two names top the list of replacements: Nancy Keenan and Dave Wanzenried. Keenan served two four-year terms as Montana’s state superintendent of schools. After narrowly losing to Denny Rehberg in the 2000 election for the U.S. House, she served many years as the chief of the National Abortion Rights League. Wanzenried is a state senator from Missoula with extensive legislative experience, and a former member of Gov. Ted Schwinden’s administration. Both are widely respected, both are experienced and capable campaigners, and Keenan is a proven big-time fundraiser.
Whether to withdraw his candidacy is Walsh’s decision, and his decision alone. He’s certainly receiving a good deal of advice, not all of it friendly, but no one else has the formal power to force him to stay or go.
It’s now 0023 MDT. The paragraphs above may be obsolete by the time the sun rises above the mountains this morning.