Montana As The Next “Gay Rights Battleground”

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 23, 2013 | 0 Comments

Equal Marriage in VirginiaVirginia is being called a “gay rights battleground.”  Don’t be surprised if Montana is next.

In the tough campaign for Governor and Lt. Governor of Virginia (candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor run separately in Virginia), the issue of equal marriage has taken center stage.  In the past and present, Virginia Republicans have made the usual, but horribly offensive assertions that homosexuals and pedophiles are one in the same and if gay people are allowed to marry, society will crumble.

However, in 2013, Republicans are being called “divisive” and “dangerous” for using the same sound bites that used to win them political points.  And the GOP is starting to feel the pain.  56% of Virginians now support equal marriage and Democrats running for statewide office are not shying away from the civil rights issue – they’re embracing it.

That is a huge shift for a state that voted to ban homosexual marriage through a constitutional amendment in 2006.

It’s hard not to make comparisons to Montana.

In 2004, Montanans voted to ban same-sex marriages through a constitutional amendment.  At the time, the ballot measure enjoyed broad support.  However, statewide Democrats and legislators have rapidly “evolved” on the issue.  Senators Baucus and Tester now favor equal marriage and so does former Governor Brian Schweitzer.

The latest polling also shows public opinion shifting in favor of equality.  In just one year, support for equal marriage in Montana jumped from 37% to 43% and 64% of Montanans favor legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Montana has also seen two nondiscrimination ordinances put into law – one in Missoula and one in Helena.

During the 2013 session, the whole “gay sex should be illegal” thing was also a big loser for Republicans.

Democrats are trumpeting their support for equal marriage, while Republicans seem much less willing to talk about the issue signaling that they no longer see it as a winning issue in Big Sky Country.

These are all positive signs that Montana is moving in the right direction.  It’s plausible that Montana could be the next “gay rights battleground” if we aren’t already.

God. Gays. And Guns.
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Thank You, Steve

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 22, 2013 | 0 Comments

According to the AP, “Gov. Steve Bullock signed two bills aimed at preventing child abuse into law” today.

“One bill creates the crime of criminal child endangerment. It would punish those who drive drunk with a child in the car, fail to get medical care for an apparent life-threatening condition, place a child in the care of a known abuser, deal dangerous drugs with children in the home, or fail to provide proper nutrition. Someone found guilty could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $50,000. The law takes effect immediately.

Bullock also signed a bill establishing an office of child and family ombudsman in the Department of Justice.”

Daines v. Schweitzer Looking More And More Likely

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 20, 2013 | 6 Comments

DainesRepresentative Steve Daines is still mulling a (second) run for the U.S. Senate, according to The Hill.  This comes just as we’ve learned that former Governor Schweitzer has been elected Chair of the Stillwater Mining Company’s Board of Directors.  Schweitzer’s success with the Montana mining company is sure to heighten speculation that he is running for the U.S. Senate.

The Hill points out that 2014 may be Daines only chance to become a U.S. Senator – “Republicans in the state point out that 2014 may be his best chance to win, given that the last open Senate race in the state was in the late ’70s.”

Mario Trujillo, who authored today’s piece in The Hill, points out that Schweitzer could keep Daines out of the race.  “The decision for Daines and other Republicans to enter the race could ultimately hinge on Brian Schweitzer, who is seen as Democrats’ best hope of retaining the red-state seat if he runs.”

However, Daines is clearly the strongest candidate the GOP has to offer for the U.S. Senate.  Yes, if the election were held today, Schweitzer would best Daines.  However, Daines is the only (realistic) GOP candidate who would be in arms reach.  As we’ve pointed out before, when Schweitzer announces, Daines will be under intense pressure from national Republicans and his friends in the state (Rick Hill, Roy Brown, etc.) to enter the race.

It’s no secret that Daines is remains interested in the U.S. Senate.  During a 2012 debate against Democrat Kim Gillan, Mike Dennison asked Daines if he was using the U.S. House as a “stepping stone” for a U.S. Senate run.  Daines side stepped the question, but his continued interest in the “upper Chamber” was clear.

Only time will tell if Daines is willing to get in the pit with Schweitzer.
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Schweitzer Likely To Win Senate Race

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 17, 2013 | 3 Comments

Governor-Brian-SchweitzerChris Cillizza, writer of The Fix, wrote today in The Washington Post that, “we expect the former Montana governor to run for (and likely win) the open Montana Senate seat in 2014.”  Cillizza goes on to hails Schweitzer’s “natural charisma and ability to effectively talk about ‘those people in Washington’…”

Like Cillizza, we expect Schweitzer to jump in the race, as well – likely after the next filing period.  And Schweitzer is definitely the favorite – only Daines could make it a somewhat interesting race.

Earlier this year, Chris Cillizza named Montana Street Fighter one of “The Best State-Based Political Blogs” in the country.

Steve Daines Lies About White House Tweet

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Daines CSPAN Twitter

Today, Steve Daines took to the floor of the U.S. House to throw a temper tantrum over the White House’s “arrogance. of. power.”  #ObamacareInThreeWords is a new hashtag being used by Twitter users to talk about the historic healthcare reform law that was passed and signed into law three years ago.  Since it became law, House Republicans have voted thirty-six times to repeal the ACA.

The White House has been using it’s official Twitter account to highlight some of the benefits of the law.  Examples include:

No lifetime limits. #ObamaCareInThreeWords

Birth control covered #ObamaCareInThreeWords

Young adults covered —> http://at.wh.gov/l6H7I  #ObamaCareInThreeWords

And the list goes on.  The White House also tweeted “It’s. The. Law. #ObamaCareInThreeWords, pic.twitter.com/yCHSmuxkKj”  A not so subtle hint to the House GOP that they are out-of-touch and need to move on.  This Tweet sent Daines into a rage.  Too bad he misread the quote or purposefully changed it’s wording when addressing the U.S. House of Representatives.

ObamacareTweet

“ONE HOUR AGO, THE WHITE HOUSE TWEETED BACK AND SAID THIS, ‘BECAUSE. IT’S. LAW.’ WELL! I HAVE THREE WORDS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, ‘ARROGANCE. OF. POWER!” Daines screamed.  Who knew a thing like Twitter could get under Daines’ skin so easily?  He sounded like a teenager who misread a text and then went running up to his room to cry into his pillow.

Harry Reid: Steve Daines Is Insane

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Daines Montana

“The great Albert Einstein defined insanity as follows: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” Senator Harry Reid on the floor of the U.S. Senate, yesterday.  He was referring to the U.S. House voting to repeal Obamacare for the 37th time.

“We are the voice of the people,” said Montana’s Steve Daines during an interview with U.S. News and World Report.   Daines went on to say that he would be voting to repeal Obamacare for the 37th time because freshman Representatives like himself have the “freshest perspectives.”

Only in D.C. voting to repeal a piece of legislation for the 37th time considered “fresh.”  In Montana, it’s called “bat crap crazy.”

Michele Bachmann Is Moving To Montana?

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 15, 2013 | 1 Comment

A writer at Daily Kos is “reporting” that Representative Michele Bachmann is moving to Montana.

Rep. Bachmann announced this morning, that she is moving to Montana with her husband Marcus.  ”Marcus and I spent a prayerful night on our knees” said GOP Representative at a press conference in St. Cloud, MN, the main city in her congressional district.   “…and this Homosexual Marriage law will turn the Twin Cities into Sodom and Gomorrah on the Mississippi.”

It’s likely that the diary’s author has been taken for a ride by the Daily Currant – a satirical online newspaper similar to The Onion.
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Staying In The Limelight

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 13, 2013 | 1 Comment

Last Friday evening, former governor Schweitzer spent the evening “courting” union leaders at the AFL-CIO Convention Dinner.  A few people thought he might announce a run for Senate, but that was naive for them to think.

It’s highly doubtful Schweitzer will make an announcement before the beginning of the next reporting period.  In the mean time, he can continue to bask in the limelight of the state and national media while pundits drool over his possible candidacy.

By waiting to announce, he also slows other candidates from jumping in and raising money.  However, if Brian does announce, it’s hard to imagine Daines won’t be the focus of intense pressure for him to run, since he clearly is the best shot the Republicans have to take on Schweitzer.

Until Brian does announce, we can expect to see a lot more of this:

Brian Poll

Brian Touts Poll
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The Maddow Expose Everyone In Montana Missed, But Needs To See

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 11, 2013 | 0 Comments

Northwest Montana is once again in the news for being home to white supremacists.  Skip to minute 2.  Rachel Maddow draws s direct and unrefuttable connection between white supremacists in Whitefish, MT and the Republican Party and Heritage Foundation.  A must watch.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Whitefish 1 Whitefish 2

 

Tim Fox Running Digital PSAs

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 10, 2013 | 0 Comments

Not today’s most exciting news, but Attorney General Tim Fox is running digital PSAs on sites like Youtube.  The PSAs promote a website called IKnowEverything.com.  ”I Know Everything” is a campaign aimed at educating parents on how to promote safer driving habits with their teens.  It’s a good cause, but we’re not sure how the patronizing name will be recieved by younger Montanans.

Attorney General Tim Fox has been floated as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate, but it’s much more likely he goes in for a rematch against Governor Steve Bullock.

Screen Shot 2013-05-10 at 10.18.23 PM
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