Conservative Montana Raises Its Voice

(Broadus, Montana)

 

    It's easy to lose track of the Republican Party in all the clamor over Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and their down-to-the-wire nomination fight. But South Dakota and Montana are very conservative states; and no matter how the Democrats fare today, it's very likely that both states will land in the GOP column in November.

 

    The Powder River County Courthouse was a busy place as voters cast ballots. County Clerk Karen Amende runs the elections here. "It has been steady, and we always have a good voter turnout here," said Amende. "It's been fun watching the news and having the politicians know Montana is here and that we have a voice."

 

    The local bowling alley, Powder River Lanes & Cafe, was busy at lunch time. Local contractor Rick Higgins was eating with his kids.
He backs John McCain. "I guess I believe in the war we're in," said Higgins. "I believe we are doing good over there. I feel like as soon as we leave, they (the terrorists) are going to come after us again."  Higgins is also upset with federal environmental policy that has protected certain species of wolves which now attack and kill livestock, hurting local farmers.

 

    
At "Hoofer's" Laundromat and Ice Cream Parlor, they advertise "gossip" on the sign, as well. That's where I found people talking politics, including Danny Johnson, who is running for County Commission, along with Ty Brewer and his dad, Tom Brewer. "I like the Republican stance as far as less government intrusion," said Johnson. "Traditionally, the Democrats follow government programs  and have more intrusion, especially on agriculture and farming here." Johnson says Washington, DC, policy is keeping Montana from mining more than 27 billion cubic feet of coal under its soil - a resource that might help ease the nation's energy crunch.

 

    Tom Brewer is pretty vocal, too. "I would definitely support McCain," he said. "You can document this. I will never, ever, in my lifetime vote for a Democrat for president." Brewer supports McCain on Iraq policy and believes the U.S. effort will prevail.

 

    No matter what happens tonight, people in Montana are thrilled that their votes count in this primary process, when all too often in the past the nomination had been decided in Iowa and New Hampshire, long before Montanans cast their ballots.

 

    I will be at McCain's and Obama's headquarters in Rapid City tonight and maybe Clinton's, too! Check in often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.

 

    

 

    

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