Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger is one of Montana's most powerful and influential Republicans. He has a reputation for standing by his convictions without regard to party lines, and indeed, he was elected to his present office on a bipartisan ticket with Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, in 2004.
He's voted with both Republicans and Democrats numerous times throughout his career in the state House and Senate, but he never abandoned the Montana Republican Party.
The state's Republican Party leadership insists on calling Bohlinger a Democrat, despite the fact that Bohlinger identifies himself as a Republican. A native of Bozeman, Bohlinger was first elected to the Montana House in 1992 - as a Republican. He served three terms in the house and two more in the Senate - as a Republican.
Even so, he's been alienated by his party ever since he answered Schweitzer's call for a running mate. The two ran on a bipartisan ticket, and Bohlinger made no secret of his Republican affiliation during the campaign.
However, in 1972 the Montana Constitution was amended to require Montana's governor and lieutenant governor to run on the same ticket. In order to run together as candidates, Schweitzer and Bohlinger had to file a single form, and that form has only one space to list party affiliation. They listed Schweitzer's party.
Aha!
That makes Bohlinger a Democrat, say Montana's Republican leaders. And that means he can't vote in the party's caucus tomorrow.
This is the first year Montana Republicans have held a caucus to select a presidential candidate. Nearly 2,000 Republicans signed up for positions within the party in order to qualify for a seat in the caucus, which will ultimately determine who gets all 25 of Montana's delegate votes at the Republican's national convention.
It's simply ridiculous that a Republican who holds one of the highest political positions in the state is being barred from voting in this caucus. All because a few Republican leaders insist that he's a Democrat.
Unfortunately, we've heard them say this before.
Last year, Bohlinger requested dinner tickets to the state Republican convention and was told tickets were no longer available. Not only that, he was hold he's no longer welcome at party events - because he's no longer a Republican.
Strangely, he was invited to attend the Republican Party's Winter Kickoff in Billings last month - but his invitation included a provision that he submit to a barrage of questions about his Republican qualifications from fellow party members. Bohlinger, who recently married, opted to go on his honeymoon in China instead. We don't blame him a bit.
Bohlinger has said he intends to show up at the caucus and vote anyway. He has publicly stated his support for presidential candidate John McCain, and in fact, Bohlinger served as chairman of McCain's Montana campaign for about four weeks until he was replaced by former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns.
When Bohlinger comes knocking, we sincerely hope the Montana Republican Party lets him in. They should be grateful they've got such a powerful person yearning to be included in their camp.
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?
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