Bullock loses one voter at recent debate

I attended the recent Kalispell debate between governor candidates Rick Hill and Steve Bullock to decide who would best serve as Montana’s governor. Rick Hill was what I expected to see; however, I saw a very different person in Steve Bullock than what his campaign ads/literature portray.

My first impression was Bullock didn’t have the presence or charisma I expect to see in my governor. I found him to be arrogant, demeaning and generally ignorant about most of the issues important to Montana’s future. It almost seemed Bullock was desperate and ill at ease talking to people and would not go out of his way to help anyone. He gave me the impression that it was a nuisance for him to be there.  In fact, Bullock sounded like a whiny child at times.

At one point during a response to a debate moderator’s question, Hill approached a seated Bullock while explaining their differences. Bullock arose from his seat in an overt and threatening manner leaning at Hill as if to intimidate Hill. I viewed this as nothing more than a bullying tactic that I find repulsive. (Bullock’s move actually frightened my wife who attended the debate with me. She said, “Every woman should be scared of that man.”)

Rick Hill appeared to be confident even during the bullying move, staying focused and ready to tackle any issue brought to him.  He gave me the feeling that he would not shy away from any hard decision, and Montana has many hard decisions facing it in the very near future. Rick Hill also proved to me that he would not kowtow to anyone trying to intimidate him. On first impressions, Hill would get my vote.

 I was all for Bullock’s idea to give $400 to every Montana taxpayer until it occurred to me that all he was doing was giving us money back from the overpayment of taxes we all paid. This should have been done a long time ago by Gov. Schweitzer, but that’s another story. Bullock isn’t offering us anything that isn’t already ours and it isn’t even his idea.  Was he dangling the $400 to buy our votes? I don’t like that.

Bullock didn’t present a sustainable tax plan. Rick Hill advanced his plan to use money derived from the sale of resources to decrease property taxes year-after-year. As I grow older I will be depending on property taxes being manageable, so I can stay in my home. We property taxpayers need year-after-year savings that far exceed a one-time $400 refund and we won’t have to beg Helena to get it back!  On this point, Hill would get my vote.

When asked about the looming public employees’ retirement debt of $3 billion, Bullock came up with a lame explanation that we shouldn’t worry about it as we will chip away at it like we pay off our home mortgages. Bright people know that to pay off a mortgage debt over time only increases the amount paid many times greater than the original principal amount.  Further, in the time we “chip” away at this obligation, new public employees will become eligible adding to the debt owed.  

Hill’s response was to make arrangements for the debt to service itself through prudent changes such as streamlining government to reduce further annual debt and make government more efficient in the process so there are no losses to current services. Bullock indicated he wouldn’t change anything in Helena. I am definitely for less government so Hill would get my vote on this issue.

I personally disdain political advertisements that lie about any candidate or are used to paint a picture of a candidate that isn’t true. I want the truth so I can make a fully informed voting decision. After the debate I sought an opportunity to meet the candidates but was only able to talk with Hill. Bullock left the debate room quickly. I asked Hill about the political advertisement produced by the state, local and county government employees claiming he wants a sales tax. (That’s the ad that sounds like a sales pitch for QVC treating the listener as if they are ignorant.) Hill affirmed that he does not desire a sales tax and he shook my hand on it and that is good enough for me. A handshake in Montana is a commitment.

I also asked why he doesn’t use or support attack ads against Bullock and he said he prefers to run a clean campaign on the issues.  That differs from Bullock’s recent campaign strategy I have witnessed. I am very troubled by Steve Bullock’s use of uniformed police officers in television ads who support him. Bullock is Montana’s chief law enforcement officer and he should know he and the officers are breaking the law when they wear their uniforms for his political gain. It gives the appearance that all law enforcement personnel are for Bullock and I know many find him lacking in true leadership and will not vote for him. If Bullock would have pulled the illegal ad when it was brought to his attention, he would be favored and get my vote for doing the right thing. He hasn’t, so Hill would get my vote on this issue.

It appeared Steve Bullock’s theme for the evening was to question Hill’s recent receipt of campaign funds from the Montana Republican Party. This issue caused me concern, too, until I realized that the funds sent by the Republican Party came from individual donors who evidently support anything the Republicans are for so it is now a non-issue for me. If it is a problem for the donors, that issue is between the donors and the Republican Party. I don’t have a dog in that fight. It sounded more like sour grapes that the Democratic Party wasn’t as generous toward their candidate Bullock but that doesn’t matter to me either. This was one of the things Bullock continually whined about.

I believe Hill won the debate if it were to be graded simply on substance and not rhetoric.  I hope Montanans get out and vote at this very important election. I truly believe the fate of two generations of Montanans is in the hands of our new governor as we head into a future of uncertainty. We have a sick economy and lethargic growth in our country that will affect Montana. Fiscal management needs to be implemented now before we run out of money. Trying to implement austerity measures without stopping the drain of cash always fails. 

The candidate that supports responsible government has my vote.

Glanz is a resident of Polson.