11 October 2018 — 1602 mdt

Montana’s Democrats and progressives should not hold
anti-Trump protests when he campaigns in Missoula on 18 October

President Trump will be in Missoula on 18 October to campaign for Matt Rosendale, who is challenging the re-election of Sen. Jon Tester.

Why Missoula? Two reasons, I suspect. First, it’s a good location for ginning up the GOP base in deep red Ravalli and Flathead Counties. Second, it’s the most liberal locale in Montana, home of a major university and a cluster of leftist activists who will conduct a protest at the blink of an eye.

Trump may be hoping to taunt his detractors into behaving like fools and hooligans so that he can point to their excesses while promising to preserve law and order. That strategy worked for Richard Nixon in 1968 and there’s a high probability it will work for Trump half a century later.

And if he’s betting he’ll receive a rowdy greeting in Missoula, he’s making a good bet. Last week, members of Missoula Rises and the Democratic Socialists of America conducted an emotionally satisfying but politically impotent sit-in at the Missoula office of the Republican Party.

Those Risers and DSAers may now be scheming to welcome Trump to Missoula in a way that gets them arrested again, and provides Trump with the facts he needs to argue that his presidency is all that’s holding back mob rule by Democrats and progressives.

My best advice to Missoula’s and Montana’s Democrats and leftists: do nothing during Trump’s visit. If the object is to annoy Trump, nothing will annoy him more than being ignored.

Before he arrives, issue a statement welcoming him to Montana. After he leaves, thank him for coming — and if necessary, issue a fact check of his remarks. Be dignified, and perhaps a little droll in a respectful but ho-hum way.

And while Trump is speaking, go knocking on doors for Tester.