The White (Haired) RINO
June 21st, 2008 by KateDuring the 2004 Governor’s race, my lefty friends took great pride in the fact that John Bohlinger, Schweitzer’s chosen Lieutenant, was a Republican. They lauded his five terms as a Republican state legislator. They emphasized his ties to the business community and his conservative positions on taxes and the economy. And did they mention he was a Republican?
In their minds, Bohlinger’s conservative street-cred should have been enough to ensure my vote. They believed his place on the ticket proved that Schweitzer was a bi-partisan moderate whose administration would transcend party politics and unify the state. “Brian doesn’t believe in red or blue,” one of his staffer’s told me over an M&M garbage omelette, “he just believes in Montana.”
Well, isn’t that just precious?
Schweitzer’s decision to choose Bohlinger was pure political genius. He had lost his 2000 Senate race by a small margin, and most agreed that choosing a Republican LT would move enough undecideds into the yes column to ensure a victory. The problem would be finding a Republican who would switch sides.
Bohlinger’s career in the state legislature was admirable, but not stellar. His name recognition wasn’t terribly high, and certainly there were Democrats who had similar if not better connections to Montana’s business community. So despite all the rhetoric, John Bohlinger’s only unique qualifications were his party affiliation and his sweet bow ties. Perhaps, that’s why he lists his party affiliation and not his legislative experience first on his bio.
Some moderate Republicans disaffected by the festering sore that was Judy Martz’s governorship used Bohlinger’s presence to overlook Schweitzer’s progressive leanings and buy into the lie that a mixed ticket meant mixed policies.
Over the last four years, Bohlinger has had his conservative values called into question. He was denied entrance to the 2007 Montana GOP convention. A move that he considered horribly unfair, even though he had voluntarily not attended the convention since 2002. But through all the accusations, name calling and derision, he has continued to insist that he is a Republican.
And so has Schweitzer.
In fact, you don’t hear much about Montana’s LT unless he’s defending his party affiliation or getting married. So, when GOP Chairman Erik Iverson offered Bohlinger the chance to debate the Republican candidate for LT at the GOP Convention, I thought Bohlinger would jump at the chance.
What better way to show that you are a red-blooded Republican than to come to the convention and address the party fellowship? Heck, maybe you even convince a few of the attendees to vote for you and the Governor.
But Bohlinger didn’t accept Iverson’s offer. Instead, he suggested that the two lieutenant governor candidates debate at a ”neutral site.”
Why does a Republican need a neutral site to debate another Republican? Is Bohlinger uncomfortable defending the Governor’s actions over the last four years? Is this a tacit admission that he hasn’t done much to inject conservative values into the Governor’s policies?
For me, the bottom line is this, the Governor, the Lieutenant and their supporters eagerly point to the “R” next to Bohlinger’s name to boost support among moderates like myself. But the LT has done very little over the last four years to bolster his Republican street cred.
He gives speeches and attends mostly non-partisan events. He co-chairs a few of the Governor’s committees. But for the most part, Bohlinger’s most important job is supporting the Governor’s policies, no matter how much said policies might conflict with his alleged party affiliation.
If Schweitzer and Bohlinger are going to campaign as a bi-partisan ticket, then I want to hear what Bohlinger is doing to make sure that the voices of his fellow Republicans are heard in Helena. But if his only conservative credential has become that flashing neon “R” next to his last name, than he might as well add a question mark beside it.
