Comments on: Rick Jore hosts “open mic” day in Montana

by: Cody Quirk

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:11:51 +0000

Speaking of weired, I think I have to agree with RWR on the publicity of Rick Jore.

by: Nick Wilson

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 03:04:29 +0000

Mike,

It’s weirding me out that we’ve actually been agreeing on a lot of things lately.

by: Trent Hill

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:28:46 +0000

Agreed. Matt,

E-mail me at Shotdown1027@yahoo.com

I’d like to connect with you on some CP issues.

by: matt

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:07:25 +0000

I get it, I just don’t think it’s likely. The left tends to hang together fairly tightly. It would be cool, though. If the progressives ever did that it’d be a big publicity day for the emerging political party movement.

by: Mike N.

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:57:24 +0000

Amazing how much free press a party can get just from having a single elected state representative.

That is what I have been saying… but the LP blindly wastes time, energy and money on gubernatorial and federal races that they most definitely won’t and can’t win. It boggles the mind.

by: Trent Hill

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 23:39:20 +0000

The good news is, Rick Jore is alerting people as to what we believe in and,furthermore, is throwing the “Third parties can’t win” arguement in the face of everyone in Montana. not only can we win, we’re holding a Committee Chair. Hopefully more people in Montana will look into what the CP stands for and, in Montana especially, there is a certain block of voters who might vote CP.

Matt,
The Progressive would certainly always VOTE with the Democrats, or abstain. But,they could agree to vote with the GOP on Procedural matters, giving them the Majority (even though they hold less than half the seats), get it? It would rob the Democrats of certain powers, while allowing the Progressives to hold true to their beliefs. It definetly could be used as heavy leverage.

by: RWR

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 23:16:05 +0000

I have been surprised by not only how much coverage Jore is getting (usually people hold an “if you just ignore him, he’ll go away” attitude toward third party victories), but also by how happy the press is to do so! In response to various pieces that have taken the time to ask Jore what he believes instead of defining him by the caricature his opponents have created, I’ve written various reporters and editors to thank them and they have all said that the response to those pieces has been positive and they want to continue doing them.

And since Jore has been granted these opportunities to speak for himself, the outcry has been replaced almost completely by praise.

Who says a small minority party can’t make a difference?

by: matt

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 23:15:49 +0000

For example, im surprised the Progressives in Vermont don’t hold their 6 seats a little higher over the Democrats’ heads. They could probably use that as pretty heavy leverage.——————————————————————————-
The Progressives? What would they do,threaten to side with the GOP? No-one would believe them.

by: NewFederalist

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 21:35:32 +0000

The Libertarians had the same situation in the late 70’s in Alaska with Dick Randolph and Ken Fanning holding the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Somwhow the party never really cashed in despite Randolph running for governor and polling 15% or so as I recall.

by: Austin Cassidy

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 21:05:34 +0000

Well, that’s the other thing. He’s the Education Chair because he holds the balance of power. I’m guessing the Progressives don’t have that, though they do pretty well with their delegation as it is.

I could imagine a scenario in which Libertarians captured 2-3 seats in a closely divivded state and then bargained for a committee chairmanship. It’s entirely possible, you just have to win the seats to make it happen.

by: Trent Hill

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 20:56:17 +0000

Austin, before I read that last sentence, I was going to post exactly the same thing.

It REALLY does help that Jore holds the balance in his Left hand, and the House Committee on Education in his Right hand, ya know?

Still, the more Legislators you get into office, the bigger the chance of holding the power.
For example, im surprised the Progressives in Vermont don’t hold their 6 seats a little higher over the Democrats’ heads. They could probably use that as pretty heavy leverage.

by: Austin Cassidy

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 20:28:30 +0000

Amazing how much free press a party can get just from having a single elected state representative. The Greens and LP should really focus on these races, they’re an excellent opportunity to build a foothold in state government. Particularly if you get someone elected who will use the office to generate media coverage, as Jore has done.

(Though it certainly helps that he, as a caucus of one, is single-handedly the balance of power in the Montana House.)