Gianforte was gone but not forgotten in Democrat debate

From the dome to your home. Ramblings, mutterings, keen observations and things you ought to know out of Helena from the mind of Phil Drake.

GHOST IN THE ROOM: I watched the Democratic gubernatorial debate on Wednesday in Billings via Facebook from my home (Fort Tubby) in Helena.

It was an interesting 90-minutes, the candidates talked with ease about the issues in what appeared to be unscripted answers.

But, as I noted in my story, it was almost as if a third candidate was there – and he was a Republican.

Much of the back and forth between the Democrats, Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and entrepreneur Whitney Williams, was about Republican Greg Gianforte, warning of what they said would be dire consequences for the state should he be elected.

I didn’t see any verbal jabs at each other, which may have made it easier for folks to decide which candidate they preferred. They both came across as likeable.

There is still plenty of time between now and the June 2 primary for that to happen.

The other Republicans in the race are Tim Fox and Al Olszewski.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Recently I wrote a story about seven Republican legislators who wrote a letter to the federal government, requesting it hold Montana accountable for any Medicaid funds given to ineligible people.

The letter quoted a Mercatus Center study and I thought I should include a line saying what the center was. So I went to the internet. I went to the Mercatus site and I looked at various stories and other postings.

I added a line that among the donors were the Koch brothers, who support conservative causes.

That began an adventure that took up a few minutes of the next day. One was an early morning email from Koch Industries. They pointed out I should have said Charles Koch as brother David had died in August and to say “Koch Brothers” was inaccurate. I updated the story online to say it was Charles Koch and noted it online.

The next email came several hours later from an official who noticed the reference as well and asked, in a nice way I believe, why I felt it necessary to say Koch when I don’t ever mention George Soros or other liberal donors.

I must admit, he was right. I may say a group is liberal or progressive, but I don’t often say who the money people are.

A sampling of comments from my stories shows my leanings are all over the map with readers. Several chortle I am a tool of the Republican Party, others claim I am part of the liberal horde. I think of the them as background noise and not worth confronting.

CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED: I thought it was pretty shocking that Great Falls schools closed Monday due to a bomb scare.

But I was stunned to learn a threat had been made with a handwritten note.

Handwritten? Does anyone in these days of DNA testing do that anymore?

I hope it helps authorities as they get to the bottom of this.

We live in interesting times.

CRASH VICTIMS MAY BE HONORED: A recent email from U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester says the Senate passed their bill renaming the B-47 Ridge in honor of four servicemen who died in a B-47 Bomber crash in 1962.

The bill must clear the House, Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte has introduced it, and go to the president’s desk, officials said.

“After almost six decades, we are one step closer to getting these brave men who tragically died in the B-47 Bomber crash the memorial and recognition they deserve,” Daines said. 

Tester said it was a stp closer to honoring these men.

“Commemorating this ridge in honor of the servicemen who died there will help them live on in our memories for generations to come,” he said.

On July 23, 1962, a B-47 Bomber originating from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas carrying four men on a routine training mission crashed into the southwestern slope of Emigrant Peak, killing Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh.

WILL HE RETURN?: The recent endorsement via Twitter of U.S. House candidate Matt Rosendale by President Donald Trump makes me wonder if the president will return to Montana this election cycle.

As you know, he was here four times in 2018 and appeared in Billings when he ran for president in 2016.

Wow, what wild times. Long lines and one time we were hauled by bus to the rally site.

Oh Lord, it was days filled with angry crowds, people yelling at me and crappy parking.  

Yep, I know as a reporter it comes with the territory and it’s exciting to cover a president, but I can’t say I am looking forward to it.

Dome Lights appears Sunday, unless the villagers catch me. Email me at pdrake@greatfallstribune.com or call 406-231-9021. I’m based in Helena. Mail me at P.O.Box 1601, Helena, MT 59624.