Montana News Roundup: Will “Bernie Bash” Stick in MT?

If Senator Bernie Sanders wanted to get his message across to "working-class" Montanans, he couldn't have picked a better time than the day after Tax Day.

It was either that sentiment over justing paying the government, or general dissatisfaction with Washington, which drew capacity crowds to Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" Tour stop in Missoula.

It was one of the largest political rally crowds of the past few years, comparable with President Trump's appearance at the Missoula Airport during the mid-terms in 2018, and President Obama's appearance, also at the Adams Center, in 2008.

An estimated 7,500 filled the indoor stadium, with several hundred more outside.

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Financial Fighting Words

The joint tour, which also includes fiery Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was welcomed with enthusiasm in Montana's most liberal city, with themes that progressives would have been using if they had been at the top of the Democratic ticket last November. Namely, an attack on the power of America's richest, criticism of President Trump, and a call for human services and attitudes of diversity.

But the headlines of the past few weeks added more fuel to the inferno, with Sanders calling out Montana's Congressional delegation, and Republican leaders for their positions, and especially their support for a GOP proposed budget with what he sees as tax cuts for the rich.

More than anything, both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez urged the crowd to get involved, fighting back against the changes they say are threatening not only America's financial stability, but its humanity and democratic future.

"And what we are asking you today is to understand that coming to this rally is just the first step in moving forward, to transforming this country." -Sen. Bernie Sanders

 

The question now will be whether the rally was enough to engage a collaborative effort amongst interest groups in Montana that have similar views, but have been scattered in their response to the Trump Administration's changes.

We are watching for any statements from Montana GOP leaders, but so far they've been silent about Wednesday's rally.

WATCH: FULL RALLY COURTESY MCAT