A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

25 April 2017 — 1631 mdt

MS termination accusation is big trouble for Gianforte

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When he owned Brightworks 27 years ago, did Greg Gianforte fire a crackerjack salesman after learning that he had multiple sclerosis? Raw Story reports that he did, and has published the legal documents on which the report is based.

If true this is major league trouble for Gianforte because it goes to character, depicting him as a man for whom making a fast dollar is the highest reason for doing anything.

Frankly, it suggests he may be the kind of man who would have fired Rob Quist from his band for having had gall bladder surgery — as a man who has more gall than compassion and decency — and as not the man Joe and Jane Montana would want voting on health care legislation.

Thus far, Gianforte’s response has been “no comment.” That buys him 24 hours to pull together a response, but it does not refute Raw Story’s report. Unless Gianforte provides a compelling response that survives vigorous fact checking, this revelation will cost him votes, possibly a lot of votes, possibly enough votes to lose the election.