Saddened By Voters

Posted Nov 09, 2010

Dear Dennis:

 I'm saddened by the failure of so many Montanans to recognize and vote
in their own self interest.  That the same  failure  is  nationwide is
no consolation and a conundrum  I cannot understand.  I grew up in the
tradition that the GOP is the party of the rich and the Dems of the
working/middle class.  All my reading and observation over the past half
century has confirmed that truism.  As an optimist I am convinced that
some day  the veil will fall from the eyes of the hard-working little
guys and they will see which party  truly recognizes the interdependency
of democracy and the middle class.  But at 75 years old, I have to
wonder if it will happen in my lifetime.  And then there's the whole
thing of the pendulum swinging (no permanent solutions) and the fact
that many too Democratic legislators are hardly distinguishable from the
Republicans.

 My support for your candidacy began just because we have met a few
times and you are a Democrat and I figured a rancher-Democrat might have
a good shot at unseating Denny, who, like Conrad Burns, is an
embarrassment to me as a Montanan (and as a human being!).  And even a
half-assed  cowboy should be able to stay on his horse after a couple of
drinks!

But after hearing you speak several times of your personal history and
passion for democracy, Susan and  I realized you are much more--a true
progressive that shares our dream of peace, justice and community.

 I can only imagine the immense cost in energy and commitment you
brought to your campaign.  I appreciate the sacrifice on the part of
Sharon and the rest of the family, though I suppose it was Casey's
chance to prove that he's up to the ranch management challenge that he
will eventually face anyway, and maybe an opportunity for you to
throttle back on the day-to-day ranch business henceforth.

I don't know much about campaigning but my take is that you and your
advisors and manager did an excellent job.  I don't what you could have
done differently that would have changed the outcome.  My conclusion is
that the people are still gulled by the right-wing spin, and I refuse to
believe they won't catch on some day.  Maybe, as the pundits are saying,
the President and the party were too  conciliatory and didn't do a good
job of pointing out their accomplishments.  Either way, there is no
doubt the people are angry and since it is a given that the Republicans
will continue to sell working people down the river, maybe they will
redirect their anger in 2012.

Meanwhile, I hope you will have the energy to run again and I promise my
support again.

Best Wishes.

Bob

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