Can Steve Bullock win?

The gold leaf Hamptons in New York are about as far as one can get from Helena in Montana. In the Hamptons, it is all about Christian Louboutin sandals. In Helena, cowboy boots are more likely. In the Hamptons, a haircut can cost a small fortune. In Helena, well, see Jon Tester. This past Saturday, under twinkling patio lights at a catered barbecue, Montana Governor Steve Bullock made a persuasive case to the cream of the Hamptons crop that he has a path to the presidency. He won over many guests whose elbows are chaffed from rubbing them with candidates.

The end of summer draws national political figures to the Hamptons like President Trump to Twitter. Trump himself held two events there earlier this month. Former Vice President Joe Biden will be in town this weekend. Washington Governor Jay Inslee just left. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is coming soon. One congested road stretches more than 30 miles through waterfront and farm estate soirees in the tony hamlets of Wainscott, Amagansett, and Bridgehampton. Past Bobby Van, Ralph Lauren, and Jimmy Choo is where champagne glasses clink and the commuter line is the rumbling path of helicopters flying back and forth to Manhattan.

So came Bullock, not raising money, but viability. His principal argument is that if he can win in red Montana, he can win in the seven bellwether states of the Electoral College. In 2016, Trump carried Montana with more than 50 percent of the vote. Bullock won his race with 50 percent of the vote. It is notable that about 20 percent to 30 percent of Montana voters supported Trump, then crossed over to back the Democratic governor.

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5 years ago Featured, Opinion

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