10 March 2016

Democrats push to recruit candidates for unwinnable districts

In both major political parties, but probably much more so in Montana Democratic Party, there’s a last minute push on to persuade loyal party members to file for legislative districts their party hasn’t a snowcone’s chance in Satan’s fireplace of carrying. It’s partly a matter of pride, partly a belief that voters in every district should have options on the ballot, and partly a determination to obviate sanctimonious editorials tsk-tsking the party’s inability to recruit candidates.

Meanwhile, if Montana’s Democrats have a push on to run someone for attorney general, it’s well hidden.

I like having choices in all districts, but I don’t like how candidates who can’t win are cajoled and pressured by their parties to spend time and money in a hopeless cause. Occupying a place on the ballot in an unwinnable contest is honorable in and of itself, an exercise in political self-sacrifice. Those who do it should not be shamed by their party's cutthroats for spending their weekends fishing for trout instead of voters they can’t hook.