"Could it be Gopher vs. Otjen for Congress?
by JC
This last week has seen two newcomers to Montana politics throw their hats into the ring to unseat republican congressman Denny Rehberg.
First up, Melinda Gopher–daughter of Robert Gopher, a long time native activist, cultural leader, and petitioner of the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for “the need to provide for state support of the cultural survival of Montana’s Tribal peoples.” The Gopher family’s unique experience living and growing up on the northwest side of Great Falls on Hill 57 helped them to lead the way on Montana’s Constitutional “cultural integrity clause.”
The result was Article X Section 1. (2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.
I find some personal satisfaction in Gopher’s announcement, having grown up in the same Hill 57 neighborhood, knowing that the Gopher family persevered through all of the adversity that came their way.
While I’m a few years older than Melinda Gopher, I knew the family, and went to school with some of her siblings, watching many of the obstacles that were thrown their way. Some of those obstacles I likely contributed to during my misguided youth on GF’s northwest side, though I have come to a different understanding of native culture, and the residents of Hill 57 since then, and offer my amends as often as possible.
Melinda will officially announce her candidacy today at 3pm at the Family Life Building in Montana Expo Park in Great Falls. In her announcement, Gopher had this to say:
Gopher’s news release said she is a descendant of the Rocky Boy’s Band of Ojibwe and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She is a lifelong civil, treaty and political rights activist who works as a paralegal, feature writer and screenplay writer.
by JC
This last week has seen two newcomers to Montana politics throw their hats into the ring to unseat republican congressman Denny Rehberg.
First up, Melinda Gopher–daughter of Robert Gopher, a long time native activist, cultural leader, and petitioner of the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for “the need to provide for state support of the cultural survival of Montana’s Tribal peoples.” The Gopher family’s unique experience living and growing up on the northwest side of Great Falls on Hill 57 helped them to lead the way on Montana’s Constitutional “cultural integrity clause.”
The result was Article X Section 1. (2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.
I find some personal satisfaction in Gopher’s announcement, having grown up in the same Hill 57 neighborhood, knowing that the Gopher family persevered through all of the adversity that came their way.
While I’m a few years older than Melinda Gopher, I knew the family, and went to school with some of her siblings, watching many of the obstacles that were thrown their way. Some of those obstacles I likely contributed to during my misguided youth on GF’s northwest side, though I have come to a different understanding of native culture, and the residents of Hill 57 since then, and offer my amends as often as possible.
Melinda will officially announce her candidacy today at 3pm at the Family Life Building in Montana Expo Park in Great Falls. In her announcement, Gopher had this to say:
Gopher’s news release said she is a descendant of the Rocky Boy’s Band of Ojibwe and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She is a lifelong civil, treaty and political rights activist who works as a paralegal, feature writer and screenplay writer.
Melinda Gopher said she helped initiate fair housing in Montana in the late 1980s and early 1990s and worked alongside her late father, Robert Gopher, to fight for “environmental justice.” She is trying to restore the Chippewa nations’ sovereign status.
Calling for building coalitions at every level, Gopher said she will work to draw independent and Republican voters.
“My heart is in both parties; the Chippewa people have a direct historic connection to Republican Frank Linderman. He is to Montana what President Lincoln was to the nation.”
She said the Rocky Boy’s Reservation wouldn’t exist without Linderman’s efforts.
“Now we need a fresh set of eyes to tackle the many issues we face,” Gopher said. “I will work to reach across the aisle and mediate to find common ground. I would consider it an honor to represent Montanans of every political stripe.”
Blogging for the liberal Huffington Post on health care, Gopher blasted Democratic Sen. Max Baucus for his “callous disregard” for Indian constituents by opposing a public option – a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
“In all the battles we have fought as a family, I have never been involved in such a tough fight as to keep the public option in health care reform,” Gopher said.
I look forward to seeing and hearing much more from Melinda as the primary season heats up. Welcome to the race! While I haven’t found an official campaign website yet, check out her Facebook campaign page. Or do a little Googling.
Next up is A.J. Otjen, who dropped by earlier today at 4&20 to leave a comment inviting people to her new campaign website, otjenforcongress.com. I don’t know anything about A.J other than what she has posted at her website, but it is good to see another republican come out to challenge Denny.
A.J. seems to represent a spirit of new republicanism, in that she isn’t afraid to buck the party line and deliver some well deserved criticism where she sees fit:
In 2004, I was very unhappy as I thought the Bush Doctrine was the opposite for which our country stood. I wanted America to get out of Iraq and I thought George Bush and Dick Cheney were very bad for the country and the Republican Party. I thought that John Kerry combined with a Republican Congress would be adequate government for four years. If Bush lost, we could have begun to rebuild the Republican Party in 2004. I voted for John Kerry.
In 2008, I liked Obama early because he spoke like Ronald Reagan and he is a centrist. John McCain made up my mind when he picked Governor Palin as his running mate. I think she is what is wrong with the party today. Our current base of the party is about fearand ignorance.
For example, there is a big difference between socialism and fascism. In fact, they are basically opposites.
We don’t need graduate degrees to know this. We can now look it up on Wikipedia. We can end the fear by being informed. The McCain/Palin ticket was not informed of the issues important to our future. The future Republicans must be. I am running for Congress to help the party be a part of this time of transformation.
Judging from what I’ve seen of the other two contenders in the Democratic primary, and from incumbent Rehberg, the entry of Gopher and Otjen into the primaries provides an opportunity to inject some new views on issues from individuals who haven’t bought into the current political climate of polarization and ideology."
Source:
http://4and20blackbirds.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/montana-rep-race-gets-interesting-with-two-new-entrants/
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