Carol Williams.
Often called the “Montana Democratic Party’s matriarch.”
She was born in 1949, making her 66-years-old.
In 2000 Carol ran with Mark O’Keefe on the gubernatorial ticket as the lieutenant governor candidate.
They lost by 16,000 votes to coattails-Judy.
From 2004 to 2012 she served in SD 46 from Missoula. She rose to majority leader in 2005.
Yes, I’m amazed as well, but during both the 2005 and 2007 sessions, Dems actually had the Montana Senate by 4 and 2 seats, respectively.
I’ll be damned.
Now, why do I bring this all up? I guess it’s because of this email I got this morning:
Often called the “Montana Democratic Party’s matriarch.”
She was born in 1949, making her 66-years-old.
In 2000 Carol ran with Mark O’Keefe on the gubernatorial ticket as the lieutenant governor candidate.
They lost by 16,000 votes to coattails-Judy.
From 2004 to 2012 she served in SD 46 from Missoula. She rose to majority leader in 2005.
Yes, I’m amazed as well, but during both the 2005 and 2007 sessions, Dems actually had the Montana Senate by 4 and 2 seats, respectively.
I’ll be damned.
Now, why do I bring this all up? I guess it’s because of this email I got this morning:
I've been invited to the Lake county demos fund raiser June 2 at Pablo for $25 a plate and to hear Carol Williams speak. Wow what the hell ! this is another reason I won't attend . Do I really want to listen to this blast from the past who is a big Hillary supporter .
Yes, Carol the Hillary supporter. They go way back, to Little Rock and the pen pal days.
Oh, I can feel my life getting better already!
In the years since stepping down from elected office, Carol has kept busy. One way she’s done that is by starting the Montana Majority PAC.
For the most part, this PAC is a funnel to get your money into the hands of national PACS. We know this from the payments that Carol’s PAC made in 2012:
- Treasure State PAC: $5,000
- EMILY’s List: $5,000
- Glacier PAC: $5,000
Glacier PAC is a Missoula PAC that’s been around since at least the year 2000.
During the 2014 cycle they brought in $486,000 and spent $523,000 (they had a beginning cash balance of $41,000).
John Lewis and John Walsh both got $10,000 from them and most of the rest ($102,000) went to candidates all over the country.
Glacier PAC’s treasurer is a woman named Monica Paoli, the finance director at Montanans for Tester.
Before working for Tester she worked for the Pasha Group, an organization that specializes in “innovative household goods move management solutions to U.S. Department of Defense, and Federal Civilian Agency customers, and military members.”
Back in 2009 Max Baucus was a big benefactor of the Glacier PAC. In August of that year he had a PAC event that had a ticket price of $2,500 per person and $5,000 for PACs.
I’m sorry, but how does a PAC show up at an event?
When it comes to the Treasure State PAC it's the same story. $683,000 raised so far in 2016 and most of it spent.
Oh, and when I say spent I mean it goes out of state. Denise Juneau is the only Montana candidate to profit from their greed, and she did that to the tune of $10,000.
Well, in politics it's no surprise that you sell your soul to the rich.
But back to Carol.
Besides the legal corruption she engages in she’ll be having her own event here real soon, up in Lake County for the Democrats there.
From what we heard, it’s $25 a plate to listen to her tell you the problems in your life, what her and her corporate- and D.C.-moneyed friends have to say.
I guess I’d just have to ask Carol a few questions, should I go to one of her $25 a plate shindigs:
- Why has my life continued to get worse?
- Why can’t you help me?
- What can you do for me?
Well, she can take my money and funnel it to D.C., we know that.
You see, Carol has been a mainstay in Montana politics for decades. Hell, her husband “served us” in Washington!
Despite that, wages have been stagnant for 25 years and 15% of Montanans continue to live in poverty.
Up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation we have a 53% unemployment rate, for God’s sake!
So when I hear a lot of people get excited about Carol Williams – or any of our old, entitled politicians from a bygone era, I have to wonder what the hell they can do for me.
Nothing, that’s about what I think – Carol Williams and her ilk can do nothing for me.
I’m not alone in that thinking, as you saw from that email I got this morning.
It wasn’t just about Carol, however. No, it had a lot more observations that might give you pause:
I wanted to comment on may 22 logicosity post. I mostly agreed except when he said Hillary's campaign had excitement. really! I do feel the GOP will pick up Montana Supt of Schools by Arntzen. She was a lot of name recognition and will win big in Billings. I see nothing out there for Romano. if bullock holds on state land board will stay in hands of demos.but if GG win will be other way. however Fox seems to be somewhat reasonable .
But could be with Trump being head of ticket could sweep all state offices red. but trumps not Montana GOP choice so turn out may not be high for GOP here. which May keep bullock in office.
I'm actually thinking the only hope to wake up Montana Demos is elect all GOP into state offices and the legislature this year Is going to be even more right wing and we will be Kansas in couple years. maybe then the Helena Missoula base demo party will change their thinking and go back to be a party of the people. But I think they will be happy if Hillary gets elected hoping that some of the party elite will get some plum Washington job(Keenan) and Montana be dammed.
Lots of stuff to think about there. I’d like to see Montana Democrats lose big as well – it’s the only way we’ll ever get the change we need in order to help improve your life.
The rich and entitled Democrats of Montana will always call me a traitor because I care more about your life than the lives of rich people out of state.
Last Thursday Carol was at the opening of the Hillary Clinton Missoula headquarters.
A few dozen people showed up, most of them old and gray-haired. Excitement levels, in my opinion, were quite low.
Despite that, Carol is adamant that Hillary is the best candidate and that Bernie will lose and when he does, his supporters will fall into line.
I can see why she thinks this. Despite the lies we’re told from Democratic mouthpiece reporters, we know full-well that the Montana Democratic super delegates whored themselves out to the Victory for Hillary Fund last August.
With news like that, I think Bernie supporters will stay where they are, thumbing their nose at Hillary.
Carol doesn’t believe this will be the case.
I’m not so sure. I mean, just today NBC did a poll showing that 41% of Bernie supporters have a negative opinion of Hillary.
I’m one of those.
I won’t be voting for Hillary…no matter what.
People like Carol hear that and, frankly, I don’t know what they think. Personally, I believe they put their head in the sand and hope that talk goes away.
Like a bunny hiding its face thinking that you won’t see it if it doesn’t see you, Democrats in Montana and America are living under this fallacy that if they just don’t look at it, it doesn’t exist.
Good luck with that, Carol.
