Page 26 - Flathead Beacon // 12.25.13

26 | DECEMBER 25, 2013
NEWS
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

Carol Williams.
BIGGEST
BAUCUS
But all the focus on the potential
Continued from page 6
election shake-up caused by Baucus’
nomination as U.S. ambassador to Chi-
John Walsh running at the vanguard. na hasn’t stopped the longtime senator
Given Baucus’ 35-year commitment from beaming, nor has it deterred his
to the Senate and the critical nature of fellow Montana Democrats from heap-
maintaining strong ties with China, ob- ing praise and congratulations on the
servers say Baucus is a shoo-in, paving senator.

the way for a rapid conirmation. That “I am humbled by the nomination
means Gov. Steve Bullock will be in and deeply honored to have the oppor-
charge of appointing an interim senator
tunity to represent the United States in
to ill Baucus’ seat.
To many, Walsh seems
like the obvious choice, “WHILE DEMOCRATS MIGHT CITE THE
though it’s not clear wheth-
POWER OF INCUMBENCY, INCUMBENT
er an appointment that
would give the Democratic APPOINTEES ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM
candidate 10 months in of-
ice before voters cast a bal- INCUMBENTS WHO WERE ELECTED.”
lot would serve as an advan-
tage or a handicap.
David Parker, political science professor
David Parker, an associ-
ate professor of political sci-

OF THE YEAR!
ence at Montana State University, cites China,” according to a statement from
data showing that only about 43 percent Baucus’ oice. “The U.S.–China relation-
of appointed senators who run for their ship is one of the world’s most important
seat win their elections, compared to 85 bilateral relationships. If conirmed, my
percent of incumbents.
goal will be to further strengthen dip-
30% In a guest blog post for the Washing- lomatic and economic ties between our
ton Post, Parker and University of Mon- two nations.”

tana associate professor of political sci- Walsh, who has the support of Bau-
ence Robert Saldin, opined that there cus, Tester and Bullock, joined in the
are several reasons Republicans are still chorus, sending out a statement that
favored to win the seat, even if Walsh is read: “I join all Montanans in wishing
OFF
tapped for the temporary seat in Wash- him the best. Max’s service reminds us
ington.
that Montana needs senators who are
“While Democrats might cite the committed to courage, selless service
power of incumbency, incumbent ap- and responsibility.”

pointees are very diferent from incum- Tester said he was just as surprised
bents who were elected,” the post states.
by the news of Baucus’ nomination as he
The post goes on to state that, of the was when his colleague announced his
52 senators appointed to ill seats as of retirement.
2012, only 22 — or 42 percent — have “I igured they’d have to carry him
been reelected.
out of here feet irst,” Tester told the
“So appointing Walsh to the Sen- Beacon.
STOREWIDE
ate seat is hardly the game changer you Still, he ofered his congratulations

might think,” according to the blog.
and utmost conidence.
or NOTHING DOWN
The professors also point to a na- Said Tester: “With his years of ser-
tional political climate that will likely vice on the Finance Committee and
O% INTEREST favor Republicans this election cycle, deep knowledge of U.S. trade policy, Max
FOR 3 YEARS o.a.cand the advantages that Daines has en- will be a tremendous representative for
.
joyed and cultivated since he entered the the American people in China. I will
campaign. He’s Montana’s lone sitting miss his leadership and partnership in

Sale starts Friday,
congressman, for one, and has become the Senate, but I know he will continue
popular among moderates and Tea Par- to serve Montana and the nation to the
Dec. 27th thru New Year’s Day
ty conservatives alike.
best of his ability.”
Speculation about a Democratic ap- Added Bullock: “Max has dedicated
pointee hasn’t just focused on Walsh, his life to public service and the notion
running the gamut after the news of that, through hard work, he could make
Baucus’ pending nomination broke Dec. Montana an even greater place – some-
18. The Hill, a Washington publication, thing I irst got to see as a high school

reported that Jim Messina, manager of student visiting his oice. From help-
President Barack Obama’s successful ing create the Children’s Health Insur-
2012 re-election campaign and a Univer- ance Program to beating back attempts
sity of Montana graduate, “ielded calls to privatize Social Security, Max has al-
from high-level oicials in Montana ask- ways put Montanans irst. I thank him
ing if he would serve as a placeholder for for his service to our state and wish him
Baucus.”
the best of luck with his new responsibil-

The following day, Messina dispelled ity, representing our country overseas.”
those rumors when he tweeted: “Great Baucus was irst elected to the House
hearing from so many friends Helping of Representatives in 1974 and to the
@BarackObama & growing Messina U.S. Senate in 1978. Baucus would re-
Group is my focus. No US Sen. Apt for place outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Chi-
me. #GoGriz #MTSEN.”
na Gary Locke. Baucus’ nomination is
M - F 10am - 6pm Located between Other names bandied about as possi- subject to a conirmation vote by the
gilsgotit.com SAT 10am - 5pm Columbia Falls &
bilities included former Gov. Brian Sch- Senate.
SUN 11am - 4pm
Whiteish on Hwy 40
weitzer, former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams [email protected]
and former state Senate Majority Leader