Voter offended by Zinke comment

Here’s some info you might like to have if you’re thinking of voting for Ryan Zinke this November. He’s running against John Lewis for the U.S. House of Representatives, replacing Steve Daines. In 2012, he ran for lieutenant governor but got only 8.8 percent of the vote. I think I know why now. Read on. 

On Tuesday, July 2, during the Livingston parade, I happened to meet and chat with Mr. Zinke for a few moments. Curious about how and where he was raising money, he said, “I’m getting most of my campaign contributions from out-of-state.” Taken aback, I asked, “Oh really? What about from Montana supporters?” With an offhanded wave and a snort, he replied, “We don’t get many donations from people in Montana, because, you know, they’re all poor.”

Well, excuse me. We might all be poor, but we’re not all stupid. Some of us might like to elect folks in Washington under our own steam, using our own good common sense, good judgment and varied resources. And, most of all, we might want to get folks elected without interference from out-of-state bullies like the Texas Koch Brothers or the charming Karl Rove, who seem quite certain they know more than we do about us Montanans.

I know it’s early in the congressional campaign, but let’s be honest: It’s never too early to know who’s for us and who’s against us. And I can tell you this for sure: Ryan Zinke sure ain’t on our side. —John Kaufman, Livingston