A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
An excellent report yesterday by Mike Dennison at KXLH TV in Helena confirms earlier reports that Angela McLean was a bad fit as lieutenant governor virtually from the gitgo, and that she was forced out of the office following her threat to resign and reports she would run against Gov. Steve Bullock in the 2016 Montana primary.
Dennison based his story on interviews with key parties and on emails obtained through a freedom of information request.
Update. The emails are now online (PDF) at KXLH.
Dennison’s report does not address the role, if any, the legal troubles of McLean’s father-in-law — he’s headed to jail for stealing — played in her departure. That situation alone might have been enough to jettison her from the Democrat’s gubernatorial ticket in 2016, but her inability to work effectively with Bullock was itself sufficient reason to force her out (and she was forced out).
We still do not know how Bullock managed to select her as lieutenant governor without discovering they were personally incompatible and had sharply different visions of the office of lieutenant governor. But I have credible reports she was tapped for the position, and accepted it, before having a long sitdown with Bullock to make sure they would be singing from the same sheet of music. Most likely, she was selected because she was a woman and an educator, constituencies Bullock wanted to court, and not because she would make a fine governor (remember, Bullock, like all governors, knows he will outlive his tenure in office).
That’s one problem. Another is the minimization of the office of lieutenant governor, an elective and political office mandated by Montana’s constitution, by Bullock’s defenders and others. The obscure Billings area blog Logicosity astutely observed 10 December that:
Apparently, the governor and his crew have allowed the stature of the two most prestigious offices in state government to decline to the point that the office of the lieutenant governor is just another “job.” The incumbent was not fulfilled so she found a “job” more to her liking and succeeded (on her own, presumably) in securing it. The relationship between the governor and her was allowed to deteriorate to the point that he marginalized her and they did not enjoy the trust and confidence to discuss her concerns about her role within the administration.
With political commentary that trenchant, Logicosity will lose its obscurity rather quickly.
With McLean gone, and hope Democrats, quickly to be forgotten, attention now turns to Bullock’s next choice for lieutenant governor. Reports Dennison:
Bullock said Friday he’s been talking to business and community leaders about possible names for the next lieutenant governor. He said he’s confident he’ll find someone “to fill out the rest of this term and hopefully run with me in 2016 as well.”
Talking to business and community leaders is necessary, but not sufficient. He must also talk to political leaders, and especially to the leaders of the Democratic caucus in Montana’s legislature. The process must include long, one-on-one sitdowns with the top candidates to discuss the roll of lieutenant governor, Bullock’s operating style, and whether they can work together productively.
Both Bullock and Democrats must stop minimizing the office of lieutenant governor. As I noted earlier this month, the office is both a constitutionally established political office and an insurance policy for the voters. Lieutenant governors cut ribbons and lead cheers for the governor, but they also serve as his understudy. They must be ready to become governor if the sitting governor cannot finish his term. That distinguishes the office from department heads who wield great administrative power but no de jure political power.
Finally, although Bullock is under no legal obligation to make the names of the top contenders public, I believe he has a political obligation to do so. It would invite public scrutiny, to some extent crowd source vetting, and do justice to both the voters and the leading candidates. To be named one of the, say, five finalists to become lieutenant governor would be an honor.