The Rising Relevance of the Midwest and Rocky Mountain West

The Rocky Mountain states are rising in prominence and importance by the Democratic party. I believe my candidacy for the U.S. House is a crucial test to a dawn of a new era already acknowledged by national party leadership. The West is rising in relevance to current and future contests to determine control of the U.S. Congress. The left leaning Huffington Post, for whom I occasionally blog; foresees this to such a degree that it began a major effort to locate in Denver, and began intensively covering issues affecting the western U.S. Former Sen. Gary Hart--also noted the West as figuring prominently in future elections. The West is heralded as the new South; and may be the new battleground as time progresses.

This gives this current contest much relevance. This would have been just another sleeper election year for Rep. Rehberg, but the game has changed. I believe my entrance into the race signals this will be no ordinary election year. I had announced my strong inclination to do so back in early May, 2009. My family, extended clan and locals of Great Falls had known this for quite a while. The entrance of A.J. Otjen,of Laurel has made this race even more interesting. Now there is speculation another contender will jump in the race, on the Republican side. Republican college supporters are recruiting prominent broadcaster Taylor Brown as a viable candidate. The entrance of Otjen and possibly Brown into the race signal a strong message, and the Republicans are bracing:

Rehberg's fitness for office may be too badly damaged to survive a general election in November 2010.

Some have speculated Otjen is a "ringer," a Republican who is far left of even Democratic Senator Baucus. If this is the case; it will take a candidate who can enfranchise all constituencies in this geographically largest Congressional district in the United States. I am that candidate. I bring fairness and a sense of balance that is what is needed by all of Montana's citizens. The Republican slate represents the tired politics of the past; there is a new and emerging demographic in the electorate. Women, youth and minorities made profound changes in the 2008 cycle. They are engaged. We must keep them.

This race is a bellwether election; to test this new East-West strategy--post 2008. It is also a test to the somewhat jaded leadership in the Democratic party. In my state of Montana, progressives have in the past wanted to create the measure, and degree, in which minority party leaders assert themselves. I am not from the established party mold, I see a need to remake and rebrand the Montana State Democratic Party. It is very simple to party leaders and elected officials in Montana; Montana Native Americans, women and youth are tired of voting for the status quo. This past summer, urban Native Americans expressed frustration when they 'get out the vote,' they are forgotten as soon as election time is over. This has to change; the state party in Montana cannot afford to do otherwise. Disengagement is not an option and it will be costly. An intensive strategy to retrench, engage and nurture leaders like myself; must take on a new urgency in this East-West strategy.

This contest illustrates a bigger issue facing the West; the tired politics of the past are no longer viable to today's ever-informed voter. Women, youth, minorities all crave one thing; someone who looks like them, knows their daily struggle, and can turn that empathy into action in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

Links:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/why-the-west-must-be-won_b_280503.html