Seth Bodnar - independent US Senate candidate

[406dn]

No small part of this is that Daines knew this shenanigan would catch Democrats flatfooted.

Daines showed how much he respects the Montana voters. It was more important to him to rig a game, than allowing Montanans to choose among several candidates.

Politics has always been a cutthroat contest, citizen's united took it up a magnitude or more.

 

[SAJ-99]

No small part of this is that Daines knew this shenanigan would catch Democrats flatfooted.

Daines showed how much he respects the Montana voters. It was more important to him to rig a game, than allowing Montanans to choose among several candidates.

Politics has always been a cutthroat contest, citizen's united took it up a magnitude or more.

I would be willing to bet that Danies didn't drive any part of this decision other than he wasn't running.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I would be willing to bet that Danies didn't drive any part of this decision other than he wasn't running.

If there was any way of confirming or denying factually ... I would take that bet and give you odds!

 

[Jnasa]

I am tired of the 2 party system. People in the middle are too often left with a bad choice or worse choice scenario.

I don't plan to vote for Fulcher in Idaho this election because he ignores his constituents views on federal public lands. I wish there were more viable 3rd party options.

 

[SAJ-99]

If there was any way of confirming or denying factually ... I would take that bet and give you odds!

Takes two to make a market. Danies hasn't had an independent thought since he went to DC.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Platform — Seth for Montana

Seth Bodnar is running for U.S. Senate to be Montana's independent voice in Washington. A Green Beret, business leader, and former University of Montana president, Seth is fighting for real solutions outside the two-party system.

www.sethformontana.com

I vote generally red. This is good enough for me (not aligned everywhere) in lieu of voting for a canidate that stole his seat with the RNCs assistance.

The switcharoo that Alme pulled shouldnt be acceptable. Him getting elected would set precident that it is. Fug that.

Same.

The Dems did similar with Biden to Harris and even going back with Hillary and Bernie. Both were a losing strategy in the end. Hoping this proves to be a losing strategy for Alme, like you said, the message/precedent needs to continue to be set that this is not acceptable.

 

[Big Fin]

One facet that stood out to me as I prepared for this podcast was that his communication team did not “handle” him or demand any topics be on the list or be off the list. That was refreshing.

I think that is why it comes across as a natural conversation.

In the past, when I have done these candidate podcasts, the amount of effort that goes into vetting questions and topics is burdensome. Most of these candidates from the R/D side have handlers who make sure that they provide the canned response that is expected from party leadership. They don’t want anybody going off script.

To have a candidate who is willing to just show up and discuss every topic on the list was outside the norm.

 

[406dn]

I would be willing to bet that Danies didn't drive any part of this decision other than he wasn't running.

That speaks even more poorly of him, then. Either way he's a pos imo.

 

[Big Fin]

I would be willing to bet that Danies didn't drive any part of this decision other than he wasn't running.

You could very well be correct in that assessment. Yet, he has defended this move whenever asked or questioned about it.

 

[sapperJ24]

Maybe, but Bodnar would have to become one as well. The only political position he’s held is UM President. Of course, you could argue that isn’t a political position. He obviously kept them happy for 8 years. That’s good or bad depending on your perspective. UM isn’t considered conservative. Again, that’s good or bad depending on your perspective.

Who is 'them'?

Bodnar was selected by the Board of Regents. Board of Regents is appointed by the governor. Prior president Engstrom was forced out after a conversation with the Commissioner of Higher Ed, which is appointed by the Board of Regents.

One of UM's most well known donors has donated to R's and D's in the past, but also to the Trump campaign.

Both the student body and faculty don't have a say.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I agree not a good look. However, Alme has the support of almost every State and National Rs. He would still have won the Primary no matter when Daines dropped out.

If he’d have put his name out and shown himself to be the people’s choice in spite of competition from other candidates I’d have a completely different perspective of him as a candidate.
As is, he’s already demonstrated that party/power first is what I can expect from him as a representative.

 

[jimh406]

You think Alme wouldnt have had more competition (with less endorsements) if it wasnt gamed?

Not many want to unseat an incumbent. If the seat was open through the primary - someone else could have thrown their name in.

Maybe you have a popular Montana R in mind that would have run who didn't. I don't.

 

[jimh406]

The Dems did similar with Biden to Harris and even going back with Hillary and Bernie. Both were a losing strategy in the end. Hoping this proves to be a losing strategy for Alme, like you said, the message/precedent needs to continue to be set that this is not acceptable.

Not close to the same in my mind. Harris wasn't in a primary at all and had zero votes from anyone before being declared the nominee. They didn't even have a primary. The DNC conspired against Bernie to ensure Hillary won.

Alme won his primary although you can argue he might have had to beat one more or more additional people had Daines chose not to run sooner.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Maybe you have a popular Montana R in mind that would have run who didn't. I don't.

I dont. But i also dont particularily care. The point is that the primary was rigged. Full stop.

Not close to the same in my mind. Harris wasn't in a primary at all and had zero votes from anyone before being declared the nominee. They didn't even have a primary. The DNC conspired against Bernie to ensure Hillary won.

Alme won his primary although you can argue he might have had to beat one more or more additional people had Daines chose not to run sooner.

Cant it be true that it was wrong in both instances and should be inexcusable to both sets of party members?