Montana's Jon Tester and the Battle for Rural America

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Eric Redman
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In 1970, I was a young aide to Senator Warren G. Magnuson (D-WA), a high-ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, when Senator Mike Mansfield (D-MT), the Senate’s Majority Leader, walked into Magnuson’s office. I rose to leave, but Mansfield graciously motioned for me to stay.

Mansfield had a simple request. “Maggie,” he said, “I wonder if you can help me out. Unemployment is bad in Montana this year, I’m running for re-election, and I’m hoping you’ll get some money to accelerate construction of I-90. Not more money in total, you understand. Just more money to provide extra jobs this summer.”

“Why sure, Mike,” replied Magnuson. “If that’s what you want. But as far as I can tell, I-90 is just the way that people who start out as your constituents end up as my constituents.”

-snip-

Opportunities west and east along I-90 have continued to drain Montana of its young people, who generally lean Democratic. Montana’s extraordinary attractions and large tracts of available land have drawn in wealthy Americans from all over the United States. The in-migrants are mostly Republicans, and – it seems – MAGA Republicans at that. These offsetting outflows and inflows spell trouble for three-term Democratic Senator Jon Tester, facing an uphill struggle to hold onto Mansfield’s former seat.

https://www.postalley.org/2024/10/19/montanas-jon-tester-and-the-battle-for-rural-america/

[Attilatheblond]

1. Sadly, true. Also true: until very recently, the DNC, DCCC, and DEM fundraisers for seators never supported DEMs in MT

It was stupid to ignore rural Americans, and that probably hurt DEM chances in Montana as much as the 'brain drain' of young college grads leaving for where the jobs are.

One interesting fact about the population in Montana that I learned back in the 80s, and don't know if it still holds true: Montana had the highest percentage of published authors per capita of all 50 states. Lots of artists too. The state is NOT a bunch of uneducated twits and it hurts DEM candidates that so many DEMs nationally think the population there is not worth helping.

[2naSalit]

2. It is...

Exactly as both of you envision. As one of my lifetime Montanan friends says, "It used to be cowboys and hippies, now it's something else and it ain't good for us."

I still think Tester's got this. His opponent is now being exposed for being the shallow pos he is after his illusions have been busted. Nobody really wants what he's peddling. This could be the time we throw the bums out.

None of the magats sounded reasonable in their debates so I'm hoping they get the boot.

[appalachiablue]

3. ++ The Enemy. This sad state will continue as the middle class is

reduced even more, the low paid working class continues to expand and the oligarchy is well set for generations.

Heminway's Adventures in Montana
https://www.distinctlymontana.com/ernest-hemingways-adventures-montana
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> It was stupid to ignore rural Americans

Montana had the highest percentage of published authors per capita of all 50 states. Lots of artists too. The state is NOT a bunch of uneducated twits and it hurts DEM candidates that so many DEMs nationally think the population there is not worth helping.