Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.

 

15 August 2014

If I were a delegate, I’d vote for Amanda Curtis

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It’s down to State Rep. Amanda Curtis and rancher Dirk Adams for the emergency Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat once occupied by Max Baucus. Curtis is the choice of the unions, of the feminists, of forward looking Democrats. Adams is the choice of many of those who voted for him in the primary, and of those who don’t trust anyone under 50 years of age.

Ostensibly, officially, it’s an open convention. In reality, it’s a coronation and campaign kickoff for Curtis. Adams’ presence will force Curtis to make a case for being nominated, which is good: right now she’s running on excitement, which is necessary but not sufficient.

For some Democrats, her being exciting and a woman is reason enough to nominate her, but campaigns are about issues as well as personalities. She needs to prove she understands national issues and explain where she stands on them. And she needs to reject female gender identity politics or the votes of women that her identity politics attracts will be offset by the votes of men who can’t abide gender identity politics.

Nevertheless, were I a delegate to the nominating convention, I’d vote for her.

I’m thankful that Adams stepped forward last summer when no other Democrat had to courage to seek the nomination. And I applaud him for working the delegates (like Curtis, he’s calling them all) and not throwing in the towel just because the unions are flexing their muscles. His opponents are wrong to denigrate him.

But Amanda Curtis represents the future. Moreover, she represents the long overdue and mighty welcome resurgence of organized labor in Montana’s Democratic Party. Insofar as I can determine, she’s neither a Wall Street Democrat like Hillary Clinton, nor an acolyte of Robert Rubin or Tim Geithner. I think she’s best described as a modern lunch-bucket Democrat who isn’t afraid of the company goons and the Washington, D.C., political consultants. She’ll fight for the 99 percent — and that’s more than good enough for me.