The gubernatorial campaign of erstwhile Helena native, Neil Livingstone, is evidently trying to go to the next level, but it seems that he’s learning the hard way that the trail has a few bumps.
His neighbors must have been thrilled to wake up this morning to see their quiet street decorated by a huge political billlboard. Out in front of Livingstone’s Westside mansion was this decked out RV prominently featuring the handsome face of former Navy- SEAL, Ryan Zinke. standing proud of the campaign headliner.
Before a crowd of about two, not counting family, groupies, and a reporter who had nothing more exciting to report on a beautiful summer day and when most people have any number of more enticing things to do besides listen to a politician ramble, Livingstone made his long-awaited much-anticipated expected announcement that Zinke would be his running mate and they were kicking off their big statewide tour. Yawn. Someone might want to clue them in that the visual impact of a non-existant crowd is generally not a hallmark of a healthy campaign – and Sunday afternoons aren’t great times for pressers or political rallies. But the brand-new Lt. Gov. candidate did liven up the event when he started the rig up and rear-ended a vintage 1964 Chevy Camaro convertible.
According to Zinke, the RV was a gift from his wife and he is loaning it to the campaign for travels around the state. Apparently in the excitement over such a timely and useful present, no one bothered to check out how the wrapper would be situated in relation to the whatchamacallits that stick out on the side of the vehicle. Having the vent-thingys going across Livingstone’s face isn’t very flattering. Nor does having that Pacman-like reflector sitting on his shoulder making his suspender look like a long black tongue cascading down his shirt look all that well thought out. But those are all picky details and only affect one side of the bus – the prominent use of the State Seal, however, is a problem:
One element of the Secretary of State’s job is to serve as keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Montana. The office grants permission for organizations or individuals who want to use the seal on materials. That permission is typically not given for political campaigns because it would imply that a campaign already had the endorsement of the people of Montana.[Emphasis added.]
Not only is the Great Seal on the RV, but it’s also pasted all over the candidate’s website. His campaign finance reports show that he has already paid about $15,000 to some fancy consulting group in Washington DC and staffers in Florida and DC – who ought to be slapped upside the head for incompetence for not knowing the Montana political practices laws, including those about reporting deadlines. What IS he paying them all that money for anyway?????
It’s not clear what the fundamental reason for Livingstone’s campaign is. Maybe he will find a narrative as he rolls around the Treasure State. That is, of course, as long as he and his intrepid running-mate, “Crash” Zinke, don’t hit any more bumps on the road.