Posted: July 16, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Chamber of Commerce, in Rare Move, Endorses Two Dems; Brad Johnson Releases TV Ad
Skees and Johnson lose out
The Chamber of Commerce, a rock solid Republican organization whose politics are about as far right as the NRA when it comes to endorsing candidates, has abandoned two GOP candidates seeking statewide office: Derek Skees and Brad Johnson. The Chamber, instead, has endorsed their democratic opponents, Monica Lindeen and Linda McCulloch, the incumbent Auditor and Secretary of State, respectively.
As humiliating as this is for Skees an Johnson, it’s hardly surprising given that they’ve only raised a combined $10k combined for the entire election cycle. The Chamber does not like to make bets on sure losers.
The press release announcing the Chamber’s endorsements says that in the State Auditor’s race, Democratic incumbent Monica Lindeen was chosen over challenger Derek Skees because she had “more of a reasonable approach to the important duties of insurance and securities regulation.” Skees is the leader of the faction of Republicans in Montana that is actually further right than the Tea Party, though I don’t know if that faction has a name. This blog calls them nutjobs, wingnuts, etc. Recall that Derek Skees is the Republican state legislator who proudly wore a Confederate flag emblazoned on his jacket during the Whitefish Memorial Day parade. During the legislative session, Skees failed to pass a single bill–in a session where his party had vast majorities of both houses. His nutty proposals included shrinking number of Montana Supreme Court justices and creating and 11-member panel with the authority to nullify federal laws.
In the race for Secretary of state, Democratic incumbent Linda McCulloch because she has “a stellar record as a Land Board member.” Left unsaid was that challenger Brad Johnson, a former SOS who was beaten by McCulloch, has had problems sobering up recently (at least one visit to rehab), has had a few DUIs, and, in the article reporting on his announcement for office, was unable to state a single reason why the current SOS, Linda McCulloch, should be replaced. Plus Johnson tried to hand out large salary bonuses to his buddies in the Secretary of State’s office on the last day of his term in 2008.
He also says that he currently works as a “consultant”, although it is unclear who, if anyone, is paying him for his consultations.
The realization by the Chamber that the GOP has such weak candidates in these races is good news for Democrats. It is a strong indication that these candidates have been completely written off by the GOP, and control of the land board will likely remain in the hands of the Dems even if we don’t “run the table” on all five statewide races.
Also, Johnson, with the $2,000 Johnson has raised for his campaign, was unable to afford A-list talent for a new campaign ad, so his campaign could only release this spot, today, which features the endorsement of a cat. “Vote for Old Johnson.” Campaign insiders are saying this ad could be a game changer. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSWXqC7Dlhs
Yeah, but the Chamber still picked Hill over Bullock, Fox over Bucy, Welch over Juneau.
Lindeen and McCulloch have been mostly sane on the Board, I think the issue here is administration, it’s not like either could reform Montana singlehandedly.
I also think the issue was administration. Both SecST and Auditor have important record keeping responsibilities, and both McCulloch and Lindeen are capable administrators. The provide experience, competence, and stability. Business likes that. Johnson and Skees are colorful, but neither is renowned for his administrative skills. Business does not like that. That’s why the chamber endorsed the incumbents: economic self-preservation.
Shorter Chamber of Commerce statement, We know the ladies are competent, the other two?……………….Not so much!
This add offers the most compelling statement in favor of Brad Johnson I’ve seen yet–still, I won’t be voting for him.
So for all their blathering, the GOP isnt really trying to gain control of the land board. Interesting- it just goes to show you that the land board doesn’t really matter that much–in terms of decision making power, influence etc.
I slightly disagree. The GOP most certainly wants control of the land board. But the party has moved so far to the right that it’s having trouble nominating credible candidates for SecST and Auditor. When a GOP candidate can’t pass muster with the Montana Chamber of Commerce, you have proof that the party has gone astray.
It would appear the Chamber is appearing to be nonpartisan and endorsing the best candidates for the citizens of Montana.
Here’s hoping for a straight ticket wave. The Tea Party ain’t dead. Voters are going to be so confused and burned out with the tidal wave of ads and hype, I doubt there will be much ticket-splitting or “discerning” voting at all. It’ll probably be all R or all D straight down the line with only two questions — is Montana conservative or populist.
When it comes to the nonpartisan races, it will be “Who the flip are these people? Gee, I hope I guess right!”
Well, from my perspective guessing right means voting left.
This just brings my predictions home to roost. I do think Lindeen will mop the floor with Derek Skees, and I think McCoullah will beat Johnson so badly that he will be done in Montana politics. I also think Bullock will beat Hill, it will be close but I think Bullock will pull it off. I also think Juneau will be reelected and I think Bucy will be the next attorney general so to my Republican friends get ready for another four wonderful years of an all Democratic state land board. Doesn’t that make you want to go out and dance in the streets? I know it does me. I also think Jon Tester is going to send Rehberg back to his subdivision, so he can make consulting fees as well. The only bad news I can see is that Steve Danies is going to beat Kim Gillian, and I think that Romeny will win all three of the electoral votes of the state of Montana. But hey after the electoral college of Montana is done voting, they can ride in a regular cab pickup truck to a coffee shop in Helena, and they will all fit. Infact I have a 1970 GMC 3/4ton that I will gladly loan them for the coffee run, but I will need gas money as it only gets 3miles to a gallon.