A reality based independent journal of steely-eyed observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

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9 November 2022 — 1014 mst

In the Flathead, most honk-n-wavers were Republicans

By James Conner

Officials are still counting votes. While they’re counting, I’ll be undergoing and then recovering from medical treatment. Therefore, I’ll post my analysis of the election tomorrow.

Late yesterday afternoon I stopped outside the Flathead County fairgrounds, where Kalispell’s polls are located, to talk to and photograph the sign waving partisans braving the 20°F weather to promote their candidates.

Although House District 7 Democrat Angela Kennedy parked a sign emblazoned truck across the street (photo below), no Democrat was there in the flesh. That’s because Democrats concentrate on getting out the vote, not on showing the flag.

But there were Republicans aplenty, undoubtedly because more Republicans than Democrats vote on election day. Democrats are encouraged to vote early, by mail, and most do so.

Using my little Nikon P310, I photographed the scene, which resembled a micro street fair.

heaters_behind_honkers

All the Republican wavers warmed their backsides with propane heaters.


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Terry Falk's sign occupied the southwest corner of the intersection.


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A good natured, but tired trio.


balloons_fuller_shrine

A shrine to John Fuller, HD-8 representative who's leading Kyle Waterman in the SD-4 election.


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Yep, that’s John Wayne. The Duke is the male model for the ladies who like Zinke.


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I asked the driver whether parking there was legal. He bristled, then growled he had a permit — then demanded to know who I was. I held out my hand and introduced myself. He had an iron grip. And, a black cowboy hat like Zinke’s. The truck’s license: 7-595590 (from the Fuller shrine image above).


annie_sign_700

Left to right, Public Service Commission District 5 candidate Annie Bukacek and a friend. Not all the votes have been counted, but she’s leading in Flathead, Pondera, and Lake Counties. John Repke is leading in Lewis and Clark County.

If Democrats waved outside the polls, they might not win any votes but they would remind voters that they live in a multi-party system. Political parties that do not show up become invisible. Parties that become invisible contribute to a distorted picture of the world.

Are there enough Democrats to show up and wave and still get out the vote? Yes. Hell, yes.