Posted: May 1, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Adultery and Abuse, Front and Center
I was forwarded a juicy e-mail late last night from a tipster, but didn’t have time to blog about it and I woke up to find that Pogie at Intelligent Discontent had scooped me. Check his post out. The e-mail contains a 30 second TV spot, by Montana Conservative Families, contrasting Rick Hill and Ken Miller on…..family values.
Miller is shown with his family, described as a Jesus-loving devoted husband, a “John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere” type of guy, if you will.
We are then shown Rick Hill’s mug, and are told that he is an adulterer. A photo of a cocktail waitress, in revealing dress, is then shown, the face blurred out, along with headlines from when Rick Hill’s first wife went public with his infidelity during his the 1998 Congressional campaign (said infidelity having been consummated with a cocktail waitress).
The narrator tells an abbreviated story of how Hill was stepping out on his wife at “a motel bar,” which we know to be none other than the world famous Sip ‘N Dip lounge in Great Falls (soon to have its own reality show, by the way.)
One might conclude, as Pogie does, that Ken Miller is behind this ad, though there is nothing in the ad to confirm this. What we do know is that the apparent ring leader of Montana Conservative Families, a woman named Nancy Davis, has sent several emails out in the past, some bashing moderate Republicans and specifically Rick Hill for not having “social conservative values.”
Ken Miller has recently attacked Hill directly in public, in a very personal way–making fun of Hill for spending most of his time in Palm Springs, California at his second home–but has never alluded to his extramarital past. Only the Stapleton campaign has crossed that line, with Bob Keenan, Stapleton’s number two, suggesting that Hill’s “skeletons” would ultimately take him down.
The timing of this video is also interesting if you consider the simliarities to what occurred in the Democratic Primary in 2006 between John Morrison and Jon Tester.
A month or so before election day during the Tester-Morrison face-off, Lee Newspapers had a big front-page expose about Morrison’s extramarital affair. He had a relationship with a woman many years earlier, but when he became State Auditor, his office ended up investigating her new husband for securities fraud. This raised a question about whether Morrison should have recused himself from the investigation.
But before the story hit the paper in 2006, an effective whisper campaign was conducted against Morrison, with letters and e-mails making the rounds among Democrats, giving the story a certain ripeness. We will see if this Ken Miller-Rick Hill business follows the same trajectory.
The Hill campaign has just purchased $100,000 of advertising, beginning the end of the week. So perhaps they are a little worried about this hard-hitting family values ad.
So Rick, “out in the cold” while you party is good enough for your ex-wife and your kids, you pathetic deadbeat, so why not for the rest of Montana?
Ah looks like they are starting to attack each other for the primary….. about time! Now wheres that box of Microwavable popcorn????
This is crap, utter crap, Good God I dont agree with Rick Hill and I would never vote for him, but that is because of his past job performance and because I disagree with him on the issues. This election is turning into crap, we have talked about Presidental candidates on their personal lives, religion, and even race. And we dont talk about the real issues facing our nation or our state. Good night a living. I did something I normally dont do today, I listened to Voices of Montana on the radio. And I heard GOP candidate Jim Lynch, I only listened to part of it, but atleast Lynch was talking about infrastructure and roads in Eastern Montana’s oil patch and in our communities. He actually had some ideas I could go with, I know he does not have a snow balls chance in Hell of winning, but atleast he is talking issues that matter to me. And not this bull crap.
Farmboy, it is a very convenient way for folks to avoid issues they don’t like by simply defining them as not being “issues”. It is remarkable how many progressive people are willing to forgive Schweitzer his progressive foibles because of he’s such a terrific “character”. That’s because, like it or not, ‘character’ matters as an issue. I’m not using an equivocation on the word, here. If Schweitzer’s bombastic behavior were not seen as evidence of his leadership and quality, then he would be seen as a clown or stooge (just as he is by many on the right.) The upshot is that character actually is an issue.
It certainly may not be an issue that one can be ‘for or against’. But it can’t be dismissed as a non-issue simply because it doesn’t (matter) speak to the individual standing in judgement of what a “real issue” is. For instance, I couldn’t care less about Cement Jesus, but care a great deal about the first amendment. Anyone wanting to dismiss my input on the issue simply has to define the struggle as a ‘non-issue’.
Apparently to Nancy Davis and like-minded individuals, Rick Hill’s moral failings are a HUGE issue in this primary. Good (God) for them. They’ve found ground to stand on that appeals to their sensibilities. Just because the discussion of Hill’s dalliance and behavior may be uncomfortable for some, it’s still an issue. It’s an issue of character. Just as it is an issue of character for those made uncomfortable by the alleged political chicanery of those who attack Hill at this level, the Miller supporters. I guess it all does kinda depend on where you sit.
Character does matter. Just like voters liked Pat Williams because of his character and forthrightness, people dislike Hill for his lack thereof.
Farmboy-a campaign is a big, long, exhaustive long job interview, the job in this case being governor. Anything, however small, that sheds light on a candidate’s personality is fair game and worthy of at least cursory discussion. And it isn’t like there is any difference among the GOP candidates on the issues. They all mumble the same nonsense. Most GOP voters have no knowledge of this chapter in Hill’s life. The ad is very fair, factual, and honest. Personality traits are the thing we should be looking for. Policy pronunciations are already laid out for our inspection, on candidates’ websites, in news articles, at the infernal debates that take place every week. Nothing wrong with this ad at all.
I still disagree with this ad and will continue to disagree with this ad. Here is why, back in the late 1990′s I learned about oral sex, because of the Clinton/Lewinsky deal. I felt that I did not need to know all of that information. I did not feel that Clinton deserved to be one of only two US Presidents to be impeached cause of this deal, granted the impachment did not go through and neither did the other one against Andrew Johnson, but still I did not feel it did a service to the nation to impeach a president for something that should have been handled in the family. Oh and I should add Clinton delievered this nation a balanced budget, something I can not say for his predessor GW Bush, or for the guy before him George HW Bush, or for Ronald Regan. Infact only two presidents have delievered a balanced budget in the modern era, one was Clinton and the other was JFK, John F. Kennedy.
Regardless this is the kind of stuff that keeps good people from both parties out of politics. This is the kind of stuff that limits choice for the voter, and this is the kind of stuff that makes voters say f-it Im staying home. Look I dont have a problem if you bring up a candidates past job preformance, absoulutly that is relevent. I dont have a problem if you bring up his or her past votes on issues. But garbage like did he have an affair 20yrs ago, come on. Oh and here is another question, and Im not defending Rick Hill here, but was he ever convicted of abusing his wife. If he was then ok maybe that is an issue, but alleged abuse, that dog dont hunt with me.
Farmboy: Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice, not for something that ” should have been handled in the family”.
WHOOP dee friggin’ DOO! Never were in the military, WERE ya, cupcake? Hell, EVERYONE got a blow job, dufus! I THINK it may have been required in the UCMJ!
You moronic Pubbies are some funny little morons. Why you so worried bout another dude’s BJ, dink? You jealous???
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
I’m thinkin’ that you could use a little trip to Magic Fingers for a massage! Might HELP you not be such a dumbass!!
Wow! We’ll just have to rename you Larry Kralj, Abusive ad hominem boy. Try to stay on topic Larry. I could ask what my military record has to do with the facts of Clinton’s impeachment, or your fascination with oral sex, but I learned along time ago to not argue with drunks or druggies.
Oh HELL no, Loosey Moosey! I REALLY, REALLY want to know why YOU’RE so interested in another man’s blow job! That is real, real kinky, dude! And not right! HEY, if you want a blow job, get your OWN, moron!
But really, Loosey Moosey, you wanted to IMPEACH THE FREAKIN’ PRESIDENT for gettin’ lucky?? You’all are some sick perverts, dude!
bwhahahahahahahahahaaa!
Focus Larry, focus. I can hear your mom now. Larry! Larry, you turn that magic box off now, brush your teeth and go to bed. (and don’t forget to change you nappies). Goodnight sweet prince.
Nah, nah, nah. You don’t get off THAT easy, Loosey Moosey! You see, it’s kinda rare that we get a certifiable moron here who is willing to answer a question. SO, Pubbie boy, just WHY is a blow job an impeachable offense? Can’t answer, can you?!
You see, you morons made the USA the freakin’ LAFFING STOCK of the entire world. Why? Why did you do that?
A blow job just ain’t that big’a deal, dumbass. But YOU morons turned it into a federal offense! That’s how sick you pervs are! Sad, so sad.
And my point about the military is this. YOU morons endlessly bashed Clinton as being the commander in chief and getting a blow job. Well, THAT’S freakin’ laffable to ANY GI who actualy served and who’s worth his SALT(peter)! You see, cupcake, the ONLY GI’s who didn’t get a blow job from the ladies were the GAY dudes! And they were probably takin’ care of their OWN business!
To somehow imply that Clinton was unfit to be commander in chief because he got a hummer is bizarre! The troops WANT to follow a leader who is a REAL man, NOT some limp wimp like the Pubbies you dudes run! Understand, Loosey Moosey? Probably not.
Well I can’t argue with that logic. I give up, you won little buddy.
Of COURSE I win, because you lost when you couldn’t answer the QUESTIONS, cupcake! Man UP, buttercup! And just answer a few questions. For the record.
1) Just WHAT do you Pubbies find so interesting about aNOTHER man’s blow job?! You said it was his “family” business. Are you part of his family?!
2) Is a blow job REALLY an impeachable offense?! If so, the ENTIRE FRIGGIN’ MILITARY must be thrown in the brig to await impeachment proceedings!
3) You’re a Teatard who LUVS the Constitution. SO, indicate for me just WHERE in the Constitution it says that a president shall be impeached for getting his HORN tooted?!
4) Where in the Ten Commandments does it say that thou shall not get thy horn tooted?
Your turn, Loosey Moosey.
“Try to stay on topic Larry,” and “Focus Larry, focus.” sound really familiar! So does, “Abusive ad hominem boy.”
…………..Just saying, the Pseudonymous person’s writing, fits other troll conversations again!
And I’ll list the issues I care about. I care about school systems. I care about rural water systems. I care about roads and highways. I care about water and sewer issues in towns in Eastern Montana that are experiencing population growth. I care about pipelines and electric lines. I care about taxes. I care about jobs. I care about college tution rates. These are the things that affect my vote, not some he said, she said and adultury crap.
These are good issues Farnboy, Necessary to a well functioning state….. but the Montana GOP, voted against all of that good stuff for Montanans last session. What makes you thing they will decide to talk about things they tend to want gone this time????
Because of this ad Ken Miller not only lost my vote, not that he ever had it, but now I can say there is no way in Hell I would vote for Ken Miller, but he also lost any respect I had for him as a person.
Not that I think you’re wrong, but I have to ask:
You care about character so much that you will blame Ken Miller into obscurity for his wanton (unproven) attack with this “crap” advertisement. This was low. This was vile. That damned Ken Miller is a man who should not be respected at ALL! … Right?
Farmboy, you know that you’re not alone in the way you think, right? The candidates have lots of money to come to the same conclusion, right? So who benefits most from an ad like this played in Montana? Certainly not Ken Miller, as you are evidence of, and certainly not Rick Hill. It’s too Nanny-wagging to favor Bullock or those morally bankrupt Democrats. So who would benefit from this ad? Could it be, just maybe, Livingstone and his private CIA of psyops? That’s just a suggestion …
Come on guys. There may be some smart Democrat operatives, not a contradiction in terms, who wanted to fire an early volley. Do it now and blame it on primary politics. We play rough here. Suspect everyone. Fun month ahead.
Or maybe GOP operatives who are backing Stapleton.
Stapleton is the only candidate with the financial resources to muster a win if Hill sinks, but Miller may have the grassroots backing to do so. Livingscam hasn’t got doodoo unless he puts his own money into the race, something he has so far been unwilling to do.
… Or unwilling to declare.
I believe this story about as much as I believe you are an actual cowgirl, rather than a paid staffer in the Governor’s office. Your boss, and your blog, have a vested interest in seeding division among conservatives. It is the only way Bullock can beat any of the Republicans, particularly Hill. I have met Miller and know many in his campaign. They have concerns about Hill with philosophy and policy. But at the end of the day, Miller supporters will back Hill over Bullock – unless Democrats somehow create a war between the camps that does not exist. This story and the Miller campaign finance dust-up were both manufactured in Helena and made to look like they bare the mark of others, even though the latter may hook a small fish. This video has the cowgirl smear machine written all over it – literally, in both language and presentation. Next time, at least try smudging the fingerprints a little.
Whiskey drinker,
How can a Liberal blog seed division among Conservatives? People in the USA have free will to read whatever they want don’t they? Are you that worried that GOP voters are looking for a better candidate then what your kind offers? Is that why you are looking elsewhere too….. for a better candidate?
I thought the GOP walked in lockstep, but maybe the base is sick of that!
Agreed, remember when the TEA Party started claiming that the people in its midst with the racist signs were liberal plants sent in to discredit the entire movement? This Whiskey comment smacks of this to me. When the Repubs get caught, they blame others.
Yep! You can only carry on with nonsense for so long before people catch on to you & your act. The Republicans keep thinking that only Liberals own computers, and therefore they aren’t gonna get caught posting nutty crap in facebook. Almost Half of my friends on Facebook are Moderate republicans and real christian’s who are very upset with the GOP and are gonna vote for Obama a second year.
Hahahahahahaha! Dream on conspiracy lover…Please post some evidence for your claims.
Since when did readers of this site require proof? Instead, how about a dose of common sense. Hill gains nothing from attacking Miller as his concern is not just to win but to unify. Miller won’t attract what he needs to beat Hill this way as nobody in the mainstream GOP believes these claims to be valid or relevant 30 years later. They know Hill to be a smart, ethical leader. (This might fly if so many people did not already know him and his family personally.) The only people who believe in this story, because they so badly need an issue against Hill, is the democrat political establishment. That is why Cowgirl continues to seed this story with hope to pin it on a “Republcan” so it can be fair game in the general. Show your proof this is not true and reveal your sources. Whiskey is not the one hiding behind the curtain.
Shorter cat litter scoop “Prove that aliens do not exist, or you are liars. LIARS!!!”
Always! Most of the frequent commentors always post links, and exhibit proof when asked too!
So I am asking prove your point or Blowwwwwwwww
It makes no difference to democrats who wins the GOP primary for Gov. Whomever “wins” this honor will be the recipient of millions in out of state corporate ads (thanks to citizens united) Hill, Miller, Livingstone, Fanning. The same millions will be spent to make the same attacks on Bullock.
Well now. The trollies are think today, boys and girls. Hilarious. This is gonna’ be good.
Perhaps next they’ll treat us to an explanation of their shared support for nullification!
Interesting that none of them are defending their fellow GOP-ers donkey porn posts. Hmm.
@Dave Lewis: so, Dave, setting aside for the moment your theory about operatives, what is your opinion of the ad, and what is your opinion of Rick Hill?
The ad is not helpful to Miller or Hill. Had to come from someone else, most likely clever Democrat operatives. There are a few. I support Ken and have been out putting up signs for him. I love putting up signs. Good fun. Not offering opinions on other Repubs. What will be will be. Let the best man win. Goodnight cowgirls!
Dave, before you go, just HOW does kenny differ in ANY way than the other Pubbies out there? You see, the Seven Pubbie Dwarfs all appear to be exactly the same! They agree on every issue! So, how was it that Fundi is any different than say, Horny, Baldy, Shorty, Switchy, or Cheesey?
You forgot “Sticky” Just sayin’
No, I forgot Wofly, Boob Fanning (outta stater rancher!). HEY, I can’t remember all thems dwarfs all the time. (I’m old) But I do like Sticky too! Thanx, Chump dude!
Also, it might be funny if one were called “Prada” (Livingstone). This site his a riot.
Dave what are you smoking? You honestly think this came from the Democrats, come on, and if you dont think there isn’t division in the Republican party you must have your head in the sand. No this ad came from a Republican and I believe that Ken Miller is sleazy enough to do it. Also this ad came from Montana CONSERVATIVE FAMILES should be easy to track the funding, or atleast it would have been without the conservative supereme court and there Citizens United decision. This is the beginning of the end of civilized politics as we know it. This is what happens when corporations are allowed to munipulate elections.
Funny people those GOP. Far more interesting then I expected!!! LOL t(ツ)_/¯
I find it curious that the Regressives believe that Progressives aren’t capable of doing anything right but somehow we’re smart enough to generate these conspiracies in order to sow dissention in the Regressive ranks. Either we’re very, VERY smart or they’re very, VERY dumb.