Daines and Gianforte hiding from constituents

Senator Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte, according to press reports, are in Montana for the August congressional recess (or “state work period”). They are holding invite only roundtables and discussions (like Daines’ guest speaking slot at the RSVP-only, pay-to-get-in Missoula City Club luncheon) and other private events, but not public, open town halls. In other words, Daines and Gianforte are continuing to hide from their constituents instead of meeting with them in public.

Senator Jon Tester, on the other hand, is the only member of Montana’s U.S. delegation who regularly gives Montanans the opportunity to ask him questions in public and holds open town halls. He has held four public town halls so far just this year.

One can’t escape the conclusion that since Daines and Gianforte refuse to be held accountable and answer their constituents’ questions in public, they are not really representing Montanans. To wit, Daines has not come out in opposition to Acting BLM Director William Pendley, who openly advocates the sale of all public lands. What would Seeley Lake be like if the Bob Marshall Wilderness were privatized, for instance?

It seems clear to me that Daines does not deserve to represent Montanans in the Senate and that Gianforte does not deserve to represent Montanans in the governor’s office in Helena.