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[bozeman]

Gallatin County Sheriff Dept statement taken from their Facebook page:

From Sheriff Brian Gootkin:
At 5:08 pm this evening our Deputies responded to Discovery Drive for a reported assault. The text of the initial report to the 911 center follows:

-111.068258 +45.653654 21 CALLBK=PH 2 21 M
RP STATES HE WAS JUST ASSAULTED BY GREG GIANFORTE
STATES THAT GREG BODY SLAMMED HIM AND KNOCKED HIS ARM
Recommend Unit Command opened on event S1705240107
RP HAS A RECORDING OF THE INCIDENT ON HIS PHONE
STATES IT HAPPENED AT THE CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS BUT DOESNT KNOW THE ADDRESS
RP IS A REPORTER AND HE ASKED GREG ABOUT HIS HEALTHCARE PLAN AND HE “BODY SLAMMED HIM”
GREG IS STILL AT THE HEADQUARTERS
RP WOULD LIKE MEDICAL ATTENTION
RP IS SAFE NOW
ADDITIONAL AMR UNIT REQUESTED AT SCENE
ADDITIONAL AMR UNIT REQUESTED AT SCENE
Recommend Unit Command opened on event f201703380
** Case number R201700166 has been assigned for FIRE:HFD
** Case number A1705240007 has been assigned for EMS:AMR
** >>>> by: JAKE ALLMENDINGER on terminal: gc911eccop3v92
** >>>> by: JAKE ALLMENDINGER on terminal: gc911eccop3v92
C6-1 STAGED
QRU 6 & C6-2 STAGED
MEDICAL IS CLEAR
NWE ADV
Ending Transport Mileage: 3.4

Earlier this evening I conducted a press conference about an incident that occurred at Greg Gianforte’s campaign headquarters. After the press conference it was brought to my attention that people were commenting on a contribution that I made to the Gianforte campaign. I did contribute $250.00 on March 23, 2017. This contribution has nothing to do with our investigation which is now complete.

Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault (MCA 45-5-201). The nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault. Greg Gianforte received a citation on Wednesday night and is scheduled to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court between now and June 7, 2017.

45-5-201. Assault. (1) A person commits the offense of assault if the person:
(a) purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another;
(b) negligently causes bodily injury to another with a weapon;
(c) purposely or knowingly makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any individual; or
(d) purposely or knowingly causes reasonable apprehension of bodily injury in another.
(2) A person convicted of assault shall be fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

 

[Psychoward]

These are the apparent laws on the books in Montana regarding assault

http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0020/sections_index.html

The relevant ones appear to be 45-5-201 Assault, and 45-5-202 Aggravated Assault.





I think the lesser charge is probably appropriate, all things considered.

From 6 months maximum to 20 years. Shouldn't there be uh, a middle ground in there?

And yeah lol he's not going to jail.

 

[wildfire]

I want to believe this will move people to vote against him but that's hard to do after what we just went through last year.

It's going to hurt him. We know conservatives rely a lot more heavily on Fox News compared to us liberals with other news sources and Fox News is pointedly calling themselves as witnesses.

He could still win considering how much pussygrabbing didn't hurt Trump and the Khan fight was many months before the election happened but coming from Fox those with more of a conscious will not look favorably on this.

 

[mo60]

And even if pressure increases/continues and he resigns/loses his seat it'll just go to some other chucklefuck republican instead of the D candidate.

Whoever is the next republican candidate for the possible special election in the future for this house seat will probably be hurt by all of this.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

From 6 months maximum to 20 years. Shouldn't there be uh, a middle ground in there?

And yeah lol he's not going to jail.

The middle ground is the discretion of the judge at sentencing. I doubt (hope) everyone up for the greater charge isn't always getting 20.

So basically, it's because they don't consider it serious injury?

So it would seem.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Anyone who is saying that this election is a guarantee for Gianforte is extremely naive about Montana politics.

 

[RootCause]

Anyone who is saying that this election is a guarantee for Gianforte is extremely naive about Montana politics.

Can you elaborate?

 

[Psychoward]

Anyone who is saying that this election is a guarantee for Gianforte is extremely naive about Montana politics.

Anyone who is saying that Gianforte still doesn't have a good chance of winning is extremely naive about American politics.

Edit: Also as far as Montana specifically goes, the Rep has been Republican since 1997 lol

 

[Link]

Gallatin County Sheriff Dept statement taken from their Facebook page:

This contribution has nothing to do with our investigation which is now complete.

Hilarious that he thinks this sentence isn't completely eyeroll inducing. "My support of this man will not color our investigation, which we've already completed."

 

[gutter_trash]

Trump is already a WWE Hall of Famer.

 

[Fantastical]

Jon Favreau @jonfavs 4 minutes ago
The conservative intelligentsia weighs in

She is a piece of garbage.

 

[Tallshortman]

At least one of the 3 major Montana newspapers pulled it's endorsement and lit him up. We'll see if the other two have any shred of integrity.

 

[GillianSeed79]

I'm not well versed on Montana criminal statutes, but usually assault is only a felony when you cause serious bodily harm ie like when someone is stabbed, shot or beaten unconscious. Montana politician is a piece of shit who should have been arrested on the spot though for misdemeanor assault or battery at the very least. Again I could be wrong about Montana's laws though.

 

[wumster3000]

Anyone who is saying that this election is a guarantee for Gianforte is extremely naive about Montana politics.

I mean, look who's president. I know nothing about Montana, so tell me about their politics. Seems the state is redder than Brother Love.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Anyone who is saying that Gianforte still doesn't have a good chance of winning is extremely naive about American politics.

I mean, Trump did get elected, you know.

Of course he has a chance. Just a very small chance, in my opinion.

Can you elaborate?

I'll repeat what I said earlier. Categorizing Montana as deep red state isn't helpful and shows a naivety of Montana politics where in Montana's case democrats can win at the local and state level while losing the presidential vote.

I mean, look who's president. I know nothing about Montana, so tell me about their politics. Seem the state is redder than Dude Love.

Okay, here are some fast facts for you.

- Montana just reelected their Democratic governor who beat Gianforte by about 4 points.
- They have a Democratic senator.
- While they do not control the state house or senate, the seat margin between Democrats and Republicans is much closer than every other single state in the region.

Lastly, if the drop in turn out is similar to the Kansas and Georgia special elections we've had this year, then Democrats should win this election, as the democratic candidate in the 2016 Montana house election was closer to beating their opponent than the 2016 candidates of the two previously mentioned elections.

 

[whyamihere]

DCCC radio ad for tomorrow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1ZK1s7gNxI&feature=youtu.be

Remember, Montana has day-of registration. Priorities and MoveOn also putting ads together.

 

[watershed]

Misdemeanor assault seems like a reasonable charge to me. Now we can only hope that voters react accordingly and are of the opinion that a politician who assaults a reporter is not fit to hold office. Fuck...

 

[bozeman]

At least one of the 3 major Montana newspapers pulled it's endorsement and lit him up. We'll see if the other two have any shred of integrity.

Won't be the Billings Gazette. Almost every negative quote in anti-Quist attack ads on TV are attributed to the Gazette.

And to the poster who says he'll never visit here because of this...what beautiful utopian crime-never-happens place do you live? I'd like to visit.

 

[toddhunter]

Misdemeanor assault seems like a reasonable charge to me. Now we can only hope that voters react accordingly and are of the opinion that a politician who assaults a reporter is not fit to hold office. Fuck...

Seems to me that you would rule out someone who sexual assaults women first.

 

[Fenderputty]

Seems to me that you would rule out someone who sexual assaults women first.

Wat?

 

[Psychoward]

I'll repeat what I said earlier. Categorizing Montana as deep red state isn't helpful and shows a nativity of Montana politics where in Montana's case democrats can win at the local and state level while losing the presidential vote.

Every Montana House Representative since 1997 has been a Republican so I'm not sure what you're on about.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Seems to me that you would rule out someone who sexual assaults women first.

Voters didn't. Voters are idiots. That's water under the bridge.

In this election, we can at least hope an assault on a reporter will be seen as disqualifying. Montanans will decide tomorrow.

 

[Basileus777]

Every Montana House Representative since 1997 has been a Republican so I'm not sure what you're on about.

Now talk about their governors and senators.

 

[Psychoward]

Now talk about their governors and senators.

I didn't realize this was a Gubernatorial or Senator election.

 

[eBay Huckster]

Won't be the Billings Gazette. Almost every negative quote in anti-Quist attack ads on TV are attributed to the Gazette.

About that...

We're at a loss for words.

And as people who wrangle words on a minute-by-minute basis, that doesn't happen often.

What happens even less — hopefully never again — a Montana candidate assaulting a reporter. While there are still questions left unanswered about GOP House hopeful Greg Gianforte's altercation with Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, eyewitness accounts, law enforcement investigations and records are all shocking, disturbing and without precedent.

That's why The Billings Gazette editorial board is also doing something without precedent: We're rescinding our editorial endorsement of Greg Gianforte.

 

[Wafflecakes]

Every Montana House Representative since 1997 has been a Republican so I'm not sure what you're on about.

He's on about educated opinions. You should try it.

A couple years ago both senators and the governor were democrats simultaneously. That isn't exactly a characteristic of a deep red state.



Trying to draw a meaningless distinction between a statewide house race and other statewide races is absurd.

 

[toddhunter]

Wat?

The president?

Who cares about assault when you get your tax cut/religious issue/etc

Voters didn't. Voters are idiots. That's water under the bridge.

In this election, we can at least hope an assault on a reporter will be seen as disqualifying. Montanans will decide tomorrow.

This election will also have voters.

 

[Basileus777]

I didn't realize this was a Gubernatorial or Senator election.

This is a conversation about Democrats winning in Montana, so sorry it's applicable.

 

[Fenderputty]

The president?

Who cares about assault when you get your tax cut/religious issue/etc

Ahhh gotcha. Thanks

 

[Psychoward]

He's on about educated opinions. You should try it.

A couple years ago both senators and the governor were democrats simultaneously. That isn't exactly a characteristic of a deep red state.

I never said it was a deep red state, but saying I'm naive about Montana politics by citing elections that aren't about this category is a fallacy.

 

[eBay Huckster]

I didn't realize this was a Gubernatorial or Senator election.

like the gubernatorial and senatorial elections, this is a statewide non-presidential race

 

[Lys Skygge]

Of course he is. Montana sorry will never visit you

You'd be missing out on visiting one of the most beautiful states in the US. This dickhead is not representative of most Montanians I know and grew up with.

 

[Psychoward]

like the gubernatorial and senatorial elections, this is a statewide race

Then how come no Democrats in Montana have won a statewide race for the House seat in 2 decades if they're all equal?

 

[Randolph Freelander]

This election will also have voters.

And this election's voters have a second chance at defining what's appropriate.

And let's be real, I'm sure the democratic challenger in this race is nowhere near as vilified on the right and center as Hillary Clinton.

 

[Sagroth]

I can't wait for the "C-C-C-Combo Breaker!" memes when Giancoli loses.

 

[PKrockin]

Won't be the Billings Gazette. Almost every negative quote in anti-Quist attack ads on TV are attributed to the Gazette.

And to the poster who says he'll never visit here because of this...what beautiful utopian crime-never-happens place do you live? I'd like to visit.

Apparently it is.

Gazette opinion: We're pulling our endorsement of Gianforte

edit: beaten

 

[bozeman]

Every Montana House Representative since 1997 has been a Republican so I'm not sure what you're on about.

And we've had Democratic senators and our governor's seat has had a Democrat in it for a long time.

The poster you're replying to is (correctly) stating that Montana politics are different. Quist is running ads where he's out with his gun hunting. Gianforte is running ads promising to keep public lands public, which is contrary to Republican party beliefs. Straight party line doesn't work here.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Every Montana House Representative since 1997 has been a Republican so I'm not sure what you're on about.

You're correct.

Guess when the last time a Democrat controlled the 6th district of Georgia? Yet that race is so much closer.

Democrats are coming out to vote in droves. We saw this in Kansas and we're seeing this in Georgia and it will happen in Montana.

 

[texasairhead101]

I mean yeah if this happened earlier he might have lost but with early voting a majority of ballots have prob been cast.

 

[eBay Huckster]

Then how come no Democrats in Montana have won a statewide race for the House seat in 2 decades if they're all equal?

probably a combination of "all the good dem candidates in the state run for senate or governor", "rehberg was actually likable", and "montana's politics aren't simple"

 

[cdyhybrid]

I believe it was said earlier on MSNBC that a huge portion of ballots are expected to be mailed in. So presumably since many of those could have been sent already, this might have broken too late to really swing the race.

 

[bozeman]

About that...

Well I'll be damned.

 

[Mr. RPG]

I mean yeah if this happened earlier he might have lost but with early voting a majority of ballots have prob been cast.

Montana has same day voter registration as whyamihere pointed out.

Also, many late voters are undecided voters, which after just what happened, is going to help Quist a lot.

 

[Psychoward]

You're correct.

Guess when the last time a Democrat controlled the 6th district of Georgia? Yet that race is so much closer.

Democrats are coming out to vote in droves. We saw this in Kansas and we're seeing this in Georgia and it will happen in Montana.

Perhaps, I never said it wouldn't. But I also think citing "Montana political history" when the Republicans won this seat by 16% last year and have held it for 2 decades is off the mark.

Gianforte could lose because of this assault, because he's not an incumbent, because he's a bad candidate, because Quist is a better candidate, because Montana is sick of Trump already etc. But citing past Montana results as a cause seems like an exercise in futility when we're talking about the House.

 

[wumster3000]

You'd be missing out on visiting one of the most beautiful states in the US. This dickhead is representative of most Montanians I know and grew up with.

Did you mean to insert "not" in between is and representative? I hope so.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Perhaps, I never said it wouldn't. But I also think citing "Montana political history" when the Republicans won this seat by 16% last year and have held it for 2 decades is off the mark.

Gianforte could lose because of this assault, because he's not an incumbent, because he's a bad candidate, because Quist is a better candidate, because Montana is sick of Trump already etc. But citing past Montana results as a cause seems like an exercise in futility when we're talking about the House.

There's so many variables at play here really. It being a special election makes things even more complicated.

If I'm wrong about tomorrow's outcome, feel free to call me out on it.

 

[eBay Huckster]

i personally think gianforte still ekes this one out, but if there was ever something that would swing this to quist at the last minute...

 

[RC0101]

I mean, look who's president. I know nothing about Montana, so tell me about their politics. Seems the state is redder than Brother Love.

The state has a Democrat for Governor and one Democratic Senator.

 

[The Adder]

Then how come no Democrats in Montana have won a statewide race for the House seat in 2 decades if they're all equal?

It looks like incumbents Montana Representatives just don't ever lose re-election. Every single incumbent since Montana dropped down to only one seat has voluntarily chosen to leave office. So, really, we're talking about Republicans actually having to try to win only 4 elections in the last 20 years. And 2 of those elections were in years that were rough for Dems across the board.

 

[whyamihere]

Then how come no Democrats in Montana have won a statewide race for the House seat in 2 decades if they're all equal?

A lot of bad candidates. Incumbency. 2014 and 2016 were bad/meh years for Democrats, and Denise Juneau was no Steve Bullock. Kim Gillan was a meh state Senator and a meh statewide candidate from Billings.