| User Blox 4 |
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Barack Obama  |
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Rob Kailey is a working schmuck with no ties or affiliations to any governmental or political organizations, save those of sympathy.
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Fri Oct 22, 2010 at 09:10:20 AM MST
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| Along with allies across the country, we've launched My Ballot, Montana's first social sample ballot, where can share with your friends how you're voting and learn how your friends are voting.
Unfortunately, that technology only extends to statewide races currently and I'm already getting questions about local races, so I thought I'd post some interesting races here, how I'm voting, and why: - District Court Judge: Karen Townsend. I've heard good things about both Karen and her opponent Brenda Desmond, but the bulk of this work is criminal law and that's where Karen's backers in the legal world, on both sides of the bar, really sing her praises. Brenda's backers note her intense commitment to justice in family law, which is admirable, but a secondary interest in this race.
- County Clerk: Vickie Zeier. In recent years, Vickie and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye. That said, the Missoula elections office is the best in the state and Vickie has always been the most reasonable and accessible clerk when it comes to issues of election law. She has earned re-election.
- Sheriff: Brad Giffin. I've been torn on this race for a while. What cinched it for me to back Giffin over Ibsen was a few things. First, Giffin had the stones to mount a (much needed) primary challenge to Sheriff McMeek in 2006. Giffin unfortunately lost that race, but his willingness to mount an organized campaign against McMeekin shows good judgment and cojones. Giffin is also strongly backed by the current deputies, who work with him and with Carl Ibsen, who is mounting a strong independent campaign. I question Ibsen's ability to reform a department that apparently prefers his opponent that strongly. My friends close to this world tell me Giffin's the guy. The evidence weighs in their favor. Decision made.
- Justice of the Peace Dept. 1: John E. Odlin. I know virtually nothing about this race except that I've heard no complaints about Odlin and that Reichelt has been highlighting that his law school shares facilities with the University of Chicago, which just seems like a really strange qualification. Not the strongest of endorsements, but I'll vote Odlin.
- Justice of the Peace Dept. 2: Beverly J. Smith. Incumbent Karen Orzech is, by reputation, a pretty fierce tough-on-crime type. For the sorts of things that end up in front of JPs generally, that strikes me as unnecessary. Beverly Smith is running explicitly because she thinks JPs don't need to be bullies. She's got my vote.
Happy to hear counter-arguments. Fire away in comments. |
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