Dem
51
GOP
49
As we noted several times, Republicans in the Montana state legislature toyed around with changing the laws governing U.S. Senate races so that, in effect, there would be no Libertarian candidate on the general election ballot. This was a transparent attempt to make it harder for Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) to win reelection next year.
The Republicans' problem was that this was definitely one of those "better to ask forgiveness than permission" situations. They were hoping to sneak the change in under everyone's nose, with the notion that once it became clear what had happened (something that might not have happened until after next year's primaries), it would be too late to do anything about it and too late for anyone to complain. Unfortunately, as is so often the case with the best laid plans of mice and men, the press got wind of it and shone a very unpleasant life on the whole scheme.
Thanks to all the coverage, Montana voters began calling their representatives to express outrage over the proposal. Our understanding is that feelings were so heated, they used both of the state's telephones for this purpose. As a result, the committee that was considering the proposal voted to table it, with all of the Democrats and all but one of the Republicans supporting the move. It is theoretically possible the legislation could come back to life at some point, but unlikely, given how toxic it has apparently become.
Meanwhile, as long as we're at it, is it really certain that the Big Bopper died in that plane crash in 1959?
Are we sure that story wasn't cover so that J.P. Richards could move to Montana and begin to plant the seeds for a political career under a new name? Inquiring minds demand answers. (Z)