First, it didn’t rain. Next, there were tons of people lining the roads for the parade. Finally, lots of people were happy to see Missoula and Montana Democrats.
Let’s just get right into it with some photos and thoughts.
This will be a tight race and I sure hope Andrew Person wins. He grew up in Helena, joined the Army at 17, and then saw action in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Andrew was telling me a good story of how Hellegaard really ticked off a vet during the Missoula fair this past summer, and hopefully we’ll have a post up on that soon.
Clark was about a block down the street from the Democrats, and maybe two blocks away from the Republican float. I don’t know, I wish him luck, but honestly, it just leaves me with one of those awkward feelings.
But then you have to remember that Steve Daines wasn’t there – he's an MSU graduate, so there’s that. Also, no Zinke today (must be in California (if you have any info on how many frequent flyer miles Zinke’s racked-up, let me know)).
I guess that’s one thing to call it, but gosh, I dunno…anyone else kinda feel a little dirty? I guess when it comes to Republican get out the vote efforts, they encourage those that are too young to vote while ignoring those that are able to.
I think that’s County Commissioner Bill Carey there in the white jacket, Tom Steenberg there to his right in the green jacket…and between them in Griz maroon is Bryce Bennett. I’m not sure who’s carrying the Bullock sign…well, that’s Dick Barrett there in the red coat, and...that’s about it – I don’t know everyone.
Let me tell you a few things I noticed.
- First, nearly every time I looked back I saw Curtis taking up the rear, mainly because she was shaking so many hands and talking to people – she got a bit of a workout I think.
- Next, a lot of people wanted campaign buttons and campaign stickers that said ‘Amanda Curtis.’ We had a huge roll of them and a box of 100 buttons. At one point in the parade a woman asked me for a sticker, and knowing they were on the float, I ran ahead to get her one. But then we were out, and I felt bad because we were so far ahead. Hopefully she gets one.
- Finally, this tells me that we need to have more coordination with getting these materials out. Could Senator Walsh’s office in Missoula be used as a place people could pick things up? We need these campaign signs out and gosh, there’s a demand for stickers and buttons.
Sometimes you just like people that you talk to for a moment because they seem nice and interesting and whatnot. Maybe that’s because they’re in the news all the time. Maybe its charisma…I don’t know. Anyways, I sure hope he wins (can anyone really be serious about voting for CA Zinke?).