John Vincent vs. The Koop

The GOP E-Brief, just out, encourages its partisans to get the fundamentalist vote out to support Rep. Roger Koopman, Republican extremist representing my district in Helena. Over at WRIM, “Miss Right” picks up the cross.

At issue is an exchange over the weekend involving Governor Schweitzer and Koopman. The governor was at a ribbon cutting ceremony involving some school children, and asked them who thought the world was hundreds of millions of years old. Most of the kids raised their hands. That is gratifying. He then asked who did not, and Koopman was one of two who raised their hand.

Said the governor later, he needs support from a legislature that will move Montana’s agenda forward, and “not people who think the world is 4,000 year old.”

That’s a risky strategy, to say the least – I can’t help but think that Schweitzer was feeling his oats more than thinking rationally. I live in Koopman’s district, and each Sunday drive by one of those fundamentalist churches – the large parking lot is usually jammed. These people are easily rallied, and vote en masse. Schweitzer’s gambit may serve no other purpose than to mobilize them. No doubt, his remarks will be part of this Sunday’s sermon.

John Vincent, Koopman’s opponent in the coming election, probably has a better strategy. He’s reaching out to all of the people in the district, appealing to thoughtfulness and calm reason. There is no feeling of disenfranchisement like that we have who live in Koopman’s district – to be represented by a religious and right wing extremist expert in the art of self promotion.  But to rally Koopman’s base is no strategy.

Vincent is making a credible run at Koopman. Schweitzer may or may not have helped him. Probably not. John could use your support.