The Billings Gazette has never rescinded an endorsement before, but today is the day:
Although we're greatly troubled by this action against a member of the media who was just doing his job, to make this an issue of media intrusion or even a passionate defense of the role of a free press during an election would be to miss the point.
If what was heard on tape and described by eye-witnesses is accurate, the incident in Bozeman is nothing short of assault. We wouldn't condone it if it happened on the street. We wouldn't condone it if it happened in a home or even a late-night bar fight. And we couldn't accept it from a man who is running to become Montana's lone Congressional representative.
They called the initial endorsement a mistake and are even calling for Montana’s laws to be changed to allow people to change their votes before election day:
To those who have voted: Unfortunately, Montana does not allow those who voted early to reconsider and vote again. We're one of the few states that does not. This would seem to be the best reason we should urge our state leaders to change that law.
It is amazing Gianforte is thus far getting off on misdemeanor assault charges. Sheriff Brian Gootkin appeared slow to interview Gianforte last night and/or charge him before today’s special election. As our Daily Kos Elections team noted, Gootkin himself is a Gianforte donor.
The bottom line? There is no way Gianforte should be heading to Washington, D.C. to represent Montana. If you live in Montana, please get out and vote for Rob Quist today. If you want to help push Rob Quist over the finish line today, click here to volunteer by making phone calls (from anywhere in the country) or knocking on doors to get out the vote.
In the meantime, here are the covers of the three Montana newspapers. Not a good look for Gianforte on election day!
Comments are closed on this story.