Chuck Baldwin prepares to run for Governor of Montana
Montana
Montana is another state that we haven’t heard much buzz about on the immigration front over the last few months.
It also came as a surprise when Maine and Kentucky jumped to the head of the pack of states passing their own crackdowns on illegal immigration. The heavyweights like Georgia, Arizona, and Oklahoma are plodding along like turtles.
In Montana, a bill that would deny worker’s compensation benefits to illegal aliens, House Bill 178, has cleared the House Judiciary Committee and is on its way to a full vote in the Montana House. The bill would also require the state government to check applicants for driver’s licenses against a federal database.
In the final showdown over the DREAM Act, Democratic Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus of Montana provided decisive votes that killed the bill. DREAM Act supporters were unable to peel off enough Republicans to compensate for Democratic defections in the Red States.
Montana is surprisingly more sensitive to immigration issues than one would expect given the low numbers of illegal aliens who are living there. What is even more surprising is that the state is pushing through a bill that would require checking a federal database to issue driver’s licenses.
Montana, well known for its libertarian streak, has been a noteworthy opponent of the national id card.
“Don’t Tread on Me” doesn’t seem to apply to Mexicans who are illegally residing in Montana. ICE can swoop in there with black helicopters and deport the bastards.
Montanans don’t seem to care.
It is also worth noting that Chuck Baldwin, who ran for President on the Constitution Party ticket in 2008 (I voted for him in that election), is gearing up to run for Governor of Montana. Baldwin wants to pass an Arizona-style immigration law in Montana and confront the federal government on the issue.
As Montana’s chief executive, Baldwin said he would also reject the federal government in the manner of Arizona’s adoption of a strict and controversial immigration law, which is being challenged by the U.S. Justice Department.
“We need a governor who will do whatever (Arizona Gov.) Jan Brewer did about whatever the issue is,” Baldwin said. “Draw that line in the sand, but then, just take it the next step and say, ‘We don’t care what the Supreme Court says.’”
“That’s what states have the power to do,” he added. “They have the power under God, don’t you see?”
If you live in Montana, please contact your state legislators and tell them to support this modest bill. It’s not everything we want, but it will help lay the foundation for tougher legislation in the future, and it will prevent Montana from becoming a magnet for illegals fleeing other states.
Montana has a Democratic governor. He will have to be pressured to do the right thing. We can’t afford to sit back and let the Republicans take care of this one.
From The Provinces 
Actually, we don’t have a democrat legislature. The majority in the house is 68-32 and in the senate, it is 28-22, the GOP has majorities in both houses. We currently have far more important issues on our plates than Montana’s imaginary illegal immigration problem. Although I do support the bill, our fiscal issues certainly trump current border concerns- for one thing, most Mexicans would have a very tough time enduring 8 months of snow. But I digress…..
Chuck Baldwin is too new to Montana to win governor. Entering the race may even guarantee that we end up with another democrat in the office. The GOP ticket is already rather crowded. I just don’t see it this time around……
Thanks for the heads up.
(1) You’re right.
Montana doesn’t have a big problem with illegal immigration. Of course that could easily change most of Western and Southern states pass Arizona-style immigration laws.
(2) Those illegals are going to flee somewhere. Montana needs to act now to prevent an undesirable influx of illegal aliens.
(3) Illegal aliens are a drain on Montana’s economy. I’m told unemployment is rather high there. The last thing Montana needs is foreigners competing with natives for scarce jobs.
(4) You’re probably right about Chuck Baldwin. I was surprised to learn he was in Montana. I thought he was living in Pensacola, FL.
(5) In any case, Baldwin’s “constitutional” philosophy would be good for Montana, and I like his stance on immigration.
(6) According to Politico, Rep. Rehberg might challenge Tester in the Senate in 2012.
(7) Montana’s sensitivity to the immigration issue was made obvious when Tester and Baucus voted against the DREAM Act in December.
“(2) Those illegals are going to flee somewhere. Montana needs to act now to prevent an undesirable influx of illegal aliens.” I’m fine with that but I’m telling you…. Montana will be one of the last places they flee regardless. Proximity or lack thereof would be the first of many problems I would mention.
“(3) Illegal aliens are a drain on Montana’s economy. I’m told unemployment is rather high there. The last thing Montana needs is foreigners competing with natives for scarce jobs.” Illegal aliens are a drain on EVERY state’s economy. Unemployment is lower in Montana than the national average, I believe we are now at just over 7%. If the enviros would stop obstructing responsible drilling/mining of natural resources, we wouldn’t have unemployment to worry about. I’m not disagreeing with you however, only clarifying.
“(4) You’re probably right about Chuck Baldwin. I was surprised to learn he was in Montana. I thought he was living in Pensacola, FL.” Much about his rhetoric is concerning to me. Although I agree with most of his beliefs, they are far too fringe for even conservative Montanans.
“(5) In any case, Baldwin’s “constitutional” philosophy would be good for Montana, and I like his stance on immigration.” I like his stance on immigration as well and I am always a fan of the constitution- the issue I have is that a governor is more so working with the state’s constitution than with the US constitution. Great talking points the constitutionalists make but realistically they will be dealing primarily with the state’s constitution- which is fatally flawed.
I have no problem with Mr Baldwin moving to Montana with his family, but so far I’ve not seen any evidence he can run a school or a city let alone one of the largest states in the union. He hasn’t lived here long enough to convince Montanans that he’s worthy of their vote. Sure, he’s a good speaker and he makes valid points- but so did some of history’s most evil (yet influential) leaders. I would always wonder what would happen to our state if he received another ominous message from God that persecution was en route and he needed to flee with his family. Way to tend to his flock!
When reading his material or listening to his speeches I get the nagging feeling that he is trying to sell me something. Constitutional ideals should certainly sell themselves… but sure enough, eventually I get to the link asking for money if I liked his speech. Grrr. He should probably read up on our disclosure requirements if he does announce his candidacy as his political agenda is thinly veiled.
“(6) According to Politico, Rep. Rehberg might challenge Tester in the Senate in 2012.”
Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. Yes, Rehberg will be challenging Tester. I shouldn’t elaborate. Denny started voting better the last couple of years so I’m just OK with the decision- it will be interesting to see what happens with Steve Daines who has filed to run on the GOP ticket. It is assumed he will instead run for Rehberg’s house seat.
“(7) Montana’s sensitivity to the immigration issue was made obvious when Tester and Baucus voted against the DREAM Act in December.” Montanans may be sensitive to immigration, but the sentiment is nothing new. Tester and Baucus are up for reelection in 12 and 14 respectively and they have been very bad senators. They are simply trying to save their butts. Max and Jon know voters have a short memory unfortunately and they, like all politicians take advantage of that.
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