Over half the ballots already returned in MT in early voting: Gianforte being charged with assulting

[riversedge]

the reporter may not affect the race?????????
I read last night that over 250,000 ballots returned (??300,000 plus eligible). Not sure on these numbers but a substantial number of ballots already returned.




Greg Gianforte, Montana G.O.P. Candidate, Is Charged in Attack on Reporter



https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/us/politics/greg-gianforte-montana-republican-body-slams-reporter.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

By JONATHAN MARTINMAY 24, 2017


MISSOULA, Mont. — The Republican candidate in a hotly contested special House election in Montana was charged with assaulting a journalist on Wednesday at what was to be a final rally in Bozeman on the eve of the vote. The attack brought police officers to the event and sent the reporter to the hospital for X-rays.

In a statement late Wednesday, the office of the Gallatin County sheriff, Brian Gootkin, said there was enough evidence to charge the candidate, Greg Gianforte, with misdemeanor assault. Mr. Gianforte, the Republican candidate for the state’s lone House seat, is scheduled to appear in court before June 7.

It was an extraordinary development in a race that was already being closely watched for clues about the national political environment in the tumultuous first months of the Trump presidency.

Three of the state’s largest newspapers, The Billings Gazette, The Missoulian and The Helena Independent Record, quickly rescinded their endorsements of Mr. Gianforte. But prospects that the altercation could tip the race to the Democrat, Rob Quist, were complicated by Montana’s early-voting tradition: Over half the estimated total ballots in the contest had been returned by Wednesday.

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[beachbum bob]

1. violence liek this would only impress conservative voters, not distract them

[riversedge]

2. Actually, I read some tweets last night saying that. (voter posts from MT).

[beachbum bob]

4. conservatives gravitate towards those who have violent responses/rhetoric....

now it will have an effect on those in the middle to a degree....in that district, I don't think a democrat has a snowball's chance to win anyway


but the loss may be "close"...

[Hortensis]

3. They haven't elected a Democrat rep in 2 decades and

my guess is won't now. And as Riversedge pointed out, over half voted before this thuggery.

But no matter how today's conservative voters manage to justify this behavior (and the press had better start going out at least in pairs), this will have to hurt and demoralize Republicans nationally. If only by reinforcing disgust in others.

Btw, reportedly, Gianforte told lobbyists he would have supported the extreme house ACA dismantling bill and told voters he would have opposed it. If he wins, I wish those cons who vote for him many very personal returns from their decision.

[riversedge]

6. 8. As a slight caveat to that, more committed voters tend to vote earlier. So less than 2/3 of the *

I am not getting my hopes up.
I did not follow this race hardly at all. Not surprised though, to hear Gianforte say one thing to his donors and another to the people. Sigh!!


............


Nate Silver?Verified account @NateSilver538 10h10 hours ago
Replying to @NateSilver538

9. Bottom line: a loss—or a bare Gianforte win—is bad news for the GOP, but will be hard to discern the reasons (assault v. AHCA v. Trump).
16 replies 97 retweets 345 likes
Nate Silver?Verified account @NateSilver538 10h10 hours ago
Replying to @NateSilver538

8. As a slight caveat to that, more committed voters tend to vote earlier. So less than 2/3 of the *persuadable* voters have cast ballots.

[Hortensis]

7. True. Read that results may be late reported,

possibly even tomorrow. All those distant, small precincts, etc. Well, we live in interesting times, too many cons in angry, anxious, defensive ones. I'll take ours.

[riversedge]

5. Just over 37 percent of votes have been cast as of 5/24, per MT Secretary of State

Garrett Haake?Verified account @GarrettHaake 9h9 hours ago

Garrett Haake Retweeted Lewis Kendall

One reason Gianforte may survive the bodyslam story and still win tomorrow: lots of votes already cast or in the mail. #MTAL

Garrett Haake added,
Lewis Kendall @Lewdak

Just over 37 percent of votes have been cast as of 5/24, per MT Secretary of State

Link to tweet

…
22 replies 60 retweets 70 likes



Nate Silver?Verified account @NateSilver538

7. But we encounter another complication: Lots of early voting in Montana. Perhaps 2/3 of votes have already been cast.

Link to tweet