A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Give Greg Gianforte and his staff credit. His campaign is off to a not infelicitous start. He hit eight cities in two days, stayed on message, and neatly executed a gotcha maneuver when he pledged not to take political action money. He earned a B+ or A-.
He missed a straight A by refusing to take questions after delivering his campaign speechlets. According to Greg Strandberg, the official explanation is that his schedule was so tight he just didn’t have time. But I suspect the real reason was to keep him from putting his foot in his mouth.
The no PAC money pledge was not accompanied by a no self-funding beyond the standard individual contribution pledge, so he left wide open the possibility of reaching into his deep pockets. My prediction: he’ll put millions of his own money into the campaign if necessary.
Gianforte filed an amended C-1 statement of candidacy yesterday. He’s no longer an exploratory man. But he didn’t file for governor at the Montana Secretary of State’s office. I suspect he may not for several weeks. Once he files his Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy, he has to announce his choice for lieutenant governor. By not filing for a few weeks, he keeps the spotlight fully on himself, keeps the Democrats guessing, possibly builds some suspense, and preserves an opportunity for another two-day tour to introduce his running mate.
Whom might that running mate be? A number of names have crossed my desk.
One is Thomas W. Hanel, mayor of Billings, and a former lieutenant on that city’s police force. Hanel also served as mayor of Big Timber and on Big Timber’s city council. He’d be a good choice.
Another name that pops up frequently is State Senator Matt Rosendale, who spent a million dollars of his own money losing to Ryan Zinke for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.
A possibility from the northwest corner of the state is State Senator Mark Blasdel (R-Kalispell), an effective and polished campaigner who never will be mistaken for a RINO.