VP pool report #4 — VPOTUS rallies for Montana candidates

Belgrade, Montana

VPOTUS took the stage at 12:42 p.m. MT to enthusiastic applause from the crowd, many of them wearing red MAGA hats.

He began his remarks by noting that Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., had complimented him on his eyes. VPOTUS said: “We’re not afraid. We’re self-confident men … the president’s been noticing a lot about the physiques of everybody lately.”

VPOTUS leaned on his biography, saying he felt at home in Montana and noting that though Montana and his home state of Ohio were “far away in geography, it’s very close to my home in the ways that matter. Like my home, Montana is possessed of incredible natural beauty. Like my home, Montana’s wilderness was conquered by free spirits and hard work.”

He said the MAGA movement is not just about defeating Democrats, but also about “restoring sovereignty to you, to the people who make this country ... Our movement is about public servants who are putting America first for a change. Isn’t it about damn time?”

He went through a list of the Trump administration’s accomplishments, including passing the GOP’s tax law and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime; reducing drug prices; reducing visa fraud and ending DEI policies.

VPOTUS praised Republican Aaron Flint, running for the open 1^stDistrict seat, by noting his military service after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He attacked Democrat Sam Forstag as an “ACLU lobbyist” and cited his positions on the sales tax, immigration and transgender issues.

As he was speaking about Forstag, a small handful of protesters interrupted VPOTUS. The crowd promptly began chanting “USA! USA!” and the protesters were escorted out as VPOTUS called them a “few yahoos.”

On Republican Senate candidate Kurt Alme, VPOTUS praised his record on taxes (Alme has served as state budget director) and his record on law enforcement as U.S. attorney. VPOTUS called Flint and Alme “problem solvers” who “are people who want to fight for you.”

At another point in the rally, VPOTUS was also corrected by the crowd as he mispronounced “Helena,” and added: “I am humble enough to admit when I am wrong.”

VPOTUS urged people to, on Nov. 3, “send a message to Chuck Schumer and good old Nancy Pelosi.”

“I would actually like a functioning Democrat party,” VPOTUS said. “I want a healthy, two-party system. .. but today’s congressional Democrats, ladies and gentlemen, they do not believe in the United States of America.”

He urged the crowd to “never let them make you ashamed of this country, or proud of this country.”

VPOTUS finished his remarks at 1:12 pm MT.

Seung Min Kim
The Associated Press
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