Fresh Tracks Weekly - Vote In Your Primary Election

[Big Fin]

We always claim that our elections are a choice between the lesser of two evils. That surely can be, yet when only 20% of Americans vote in primaries the most rabid candidates have an advantage due to the hyper-partisan party loyalists voting in very high proportions compared to the rest of the electorate.

Thus, we end up with the fringe elements. Seeing the effectiveness of this tactic, billionaire- funded PACs are coming into small states and flooding money to crazy firing operators in hopes of defeating any more reasonable incumbent.

This primary season has 16 Montana Republicans wing targeted by big money from out of state billionaires. These PACs have picked some crazy people to support, but they are spending like crazy. @Eric Albus is one of their targets.

Americans For Prosperity-Montana is one of the big finders of these groups. They are supporting people and promoting how Mike Lee from Utah has endorsed them. That’s is an example of the fringe elements they are promoting.

Please, vote in your primary. Reject the out-of-state PACs spending heavily to insert their puppets, none of whom are good on our issues.

Randy wants YOU to VOTE in your Primary Elections | Fresh Tracks Weekly PSA

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Some very important races going on that could have huge implications for many issues, including conservation. Coloradans, you will be getting a new governor this year. Make no mistake, the outgoing guy was a problem, but be cautious and discerning with the next one. I cannot emphasize enough, every single candidate needs to be pressed hard on where they stand on the construction of data centers. Our friends in Utah are finding this out the hard way as I'm hearing plans were approved for the construction of a data center that is somewhere in the ballpark of 60 square miles in size? We can't even imagine what such a thing will do to the habitat and wildlife. Again, press every candidate on this issue.

 

[Big Fin]

Here’s an example of the types AFP and others are supporting.

 

[quarterhorse]

I wish more people would inform themselves and vote in the primary. Idaho just held the primary - voter turnout was average/poor. In Idaho the R winner in the primary wins the general election by a landslide. The general election here is basically a rubber stamp.

If you want a better candidate the primary is the place to try and make that happen.

 

[belshawelk]

Some very important races going on that could have huge implications for many issues, including conservation. Coloradans, you will be getting a new governor this year. Make no mistake, the outgoing guy was a problem, but be cautious and discerning with the next one. I cannot emphasize enough, every single candidate needs to be pressed hard on where they stand on the construction of data centers. Our friends in Utah are finding this out the hard way as I'm hearing plans were approved for the construction of a data center that is somewhere in the ballpark of 60 square miles in size? We can't even imagine what such a thing will do to the habitat and wildlife. Again, press every candidate on this issue.

Agreed. Whether you or on the right side or left we have to quit voting for those who make us feel good. Has to have sustenance. Oregon will finally have ( most likely) the first republican governor in 42 years. Tina the current governor has been a total disaster, much like Polis in Colorado. She promised more new housing , never claimed how, now new housing has dropped by 50%. Promised to end homelessness, which has increased. Now they want to tax the rich 2% on net wealth ( not gross earnings) including retirement accounts. Let alone in favor of ending hunting. Look at Seattle, completely useless incompetent mayor. For some reason both these candidates made people feel good. Crazies always stick together. I thought they were both nutjobs. Feeling will always be replaced with facts.

While ( no surprise to anyone here) am a staunch fiscal conservative, lots of candidates on the right are bad choices also. While I can never bring myself to vote for a liberal, there are lots of choices in both parties if we were to press harder for facts.

 

[jimh406]

Voting for/against based on endorsements is usually a bad idea. I don't think it matters if you like the person doing the endorsement or not.

AFAIK, all of the well known candidates have donations/funding coming from out of state. That's the way politics works. Sure, you can pretend it doesn't and vote for someone who will lose.

But, I agree vote in the primary if you do your research.

 

[SAJ-99]

Feeling will always be replaced with facts.

I disagree. They tell you things you want to hear. It doesn't matter the facts of how impractical they may be.

Gov. Tina Kotek has spoken against the initiative, describing it as "the wrong direction" for the state.

“I don’t support IP 28 because I believe criminalizing standard agricultural practices and lawful activities like hunting and fishing would be the wrong direction for Oregon," Kotek said in a statement. "As your Governor, I will continue to champion strong animal welfare protections while respecting the long-standing traditions and livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and hunters across our state.”

 

[belshawelk]

I disagree. They tell you things you want to hear. It doesn't matter the facts of how impractical they may be.

Gov. Tina Kotek has spoken against the initiative, describing it as "the wrong direction" for the state.

“I don’t support IP 28 because I believe criminalizing standard agricultural practices and lawful activities like hunting and fishing would be the wrong direction for Oregon," Kotek said in a statement. "As your Governor, I will continue to champion strong animal welfare protections while respecting the long-standing traditions and livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and hunters across our state.”

Well first it wont pass because the Ag industry is too big. If it did I will bet you she will sign, regardless of what she says. Again stating what people want to hear. Proof is when they actually do something. Not trying to banter but we will disagree on whats we feel is right and wrong so I'll stay out of this one. I think differences in opinions are important and whats make the country so great.

 

[Nameless Range]

I'm definitely seeing a very focused and concerted effort this year to primary out any R legislators who think independently at a level never seen before.

What does it say about a person when, as desired by the party bosses and the financial machines they serve, they literally vote in lockstep with their party 100% of the time? What is more likely - that after considering all the pros and cons of an issue and its affect on their constituents they come to the same conclusion every time, or that they have forfeited their own thoughts for the party's directive? I think if one really thinks on that, the answer is obvious, and though it isn't often framed this way, I can think of very few forms of greater domestication. Of fealty and subservience. Their minds are for sale.

AFP and the like are not our friends, and in this cycle produce outright lies about Montana Candidates daily.