Love the title of this piece: "Koopman calls for GOP purge." (Hat tip, Pogie.)
One of the Legislature's most conservative members is trying to recruit challengers to run in certain legislative primaries to purge the Republican Party of what he calls 14 "socialist incumbent Republicans."'
Apparently, Koopman's calling his purge, "the liberty project," and has a list of targeted Republicans:
Republican House incumbents targeted, in what Koopman said was "in rough order of priority," are Reps. Llew Jones of Conrad, Walter McNutt of Sidney, Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Jesse O'Hara of Great Falls, Harry Klock of Great Falls, Bill Glaser of Huntley, Bruce Malcolm of Emigrant, John Ward of Helena, Carol Lambert of Broadus, Elsie Arntzen of Billings, Gary MacLaren of Victor and Mike Milburn of Cascade.
Republican Senate incumbents targeted are Sens. John Brueggeman of Polson and Dave Lewis of Helena.
Naturally those targeted and party chair, Erik Iverson, are not amused.
But it's just another item in the radicalization of the state's Republican party, of which the acrimony of the 2006 legislative session is the natural result. Following close on the heels of the closed caucus, reports like this only underscores the Missoulian's recent remarks:
Meanwhile, we'd like to ask them a few questions of our own: What does it take to be a "true" Republican? Is there some sort of test? Do you have to toe the party line? Refuse to associate with Democrats? How about Independents? Are they off-limits?
If the Montana Republican Party wants to operate like some sort of exclusive club, they should at least be clear about their requirements. Otherwise, self-professed Republicans across the state are sure to start wondering: Am I a Democrat, too?
I admit I am enjoying the spectacle.
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