A number of Republican senators in the caucus also criticized Bohlinger, R-Billings, for refusing to submit his letter resigning his Senate seat so another Republican can be chosen soon. Bohlinger has said he won't resign until the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee includes, among its three recommendations to the Yellowstone County Commission, his personal choice to replace him, Sen. Royal Johnson, R-Billings.
Bohlinger told Republicans how much he had enjoyed serving with them in the Senate and how he looks forward to working with them in his new role as lieutenant governor. He emphasized that he didn't seek the lieutenant governor's post, but Schweitzer had approached him.
He added, "I will have a unique role. You will see a lot of me. I will have an office on the second floor. All are welcome to use my office. I'll be your contact person. We have good ideas."
No one applauded.
Sen. Duane Grimes, R-Clancy, said he would welcome the spirit of bipartisan cooperation mentioned by Bohlinger.
An irritated Sen. Dan McGee, R-Laurel, let Bohlinger have it.
"You have some ground to cover, sir," McGee said. "You actively campaigned against some of our legislative candidates, against our gubernatorial candidate."
McGee said it's nice to hear Bohlinger's words, but added: "There are thousands of people who have found it bitter you chose the route you did." McGee told Bohlinger he wouldn't be doing his duty if he hadn't spoken "on behalf of those who feel betrayed."
"I'm sorry you feel betrayed," Bohlinger told his Yellowstone County colleague.
"It's not me," McGee said. "There's thousands of people who feel betrayed."
Bohlinger replied that it's a bigger issue than the Republican Party. It's about bringing the Republicans and Democrats together to address issues, he said.
"I am here with an open hand, an open mind and an open heart to work with you," Bohlinger said. "If the most partisan of Republicans don't want to accomplish that, I'm sorry."
Sen.-elect Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman, dismissed as empty rhetoric claims by Schweitzer and Bohlinger that they would assemble a bipartisan team to govern Montana.
"The appointments that I saw a few days ago were a laundry list of Democratic Party insiders," Balyeat said. "I didn't see a lot of nonpartisan or bipartisan people being appointed."
He asked Bohlinger if that trend would continue.
Bohlinger replied that Montana's governor, historically, is free to choose those people he believes will do the best to promote his agenda. Although not many Republicans were named to key posts initially, Bohlinger pledged, "This is going to be an administration with some Republicans running important posts in state government."
Senate Minority Leader-elect Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, Sen. Gary Perry, R-Manhattan, and Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, all criticized Bohlinger for not resigning.
"On the surface, I think this is blatantly playing political games rather than moving on," Keenan told Bohlinger. "We know you've got a trump card in your hand."
Keenan said the new senator needs to find living arrangements in Helena, sign up for committees and make other arrangements before the session convenes Jan. 3. Bohlinger has to resign either the Senate seat or lieutenant governor's office by Jan. 3.
Bohlinger said he feels a sense of responsibility to residents of his Senate district. All he's asking for, he said, is that Johnson is one of three finalists forwarded to the Yellowstone County Commission. Johnson has 14 years of legislative experience and previously served on the Billings City Council, he said, asking who better understands the issues facing the Legislature. Bohlinger insisted it isn't a political game.
After Perry suggested Bohlinger may be breaking the law, Bohlinger said; "I'm not going to break the law. I'm a part of the body that makes the law."
Bohlinger later consulted the Legislature's chief lawyer, Greg Petesch, who told him he wasn't breaking any law.
Bohlinger said Petesch suggested his negotiations with the Yellowstone County Republicans were so toxic that he might want someone else to do it. Bohlinger said he would ask House Speaker-elect Roy Brown and House Majority Leader-elect Michael Lange, both R-Billings, to take over discussions.
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