(C) Daily Montanan This story was originally published by Daily Montanan and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The other great divide in Montana – Daily Montanan [1] ['More From Author', 'October', 'Darrell Ehrlick'] Date: 2023-10-05 Montanans refer to the great divide that runs across our state – the continental one that rises with the mountains and roughly separates the mountainous west from the plains and prairies of the east. Then there’s the rivalry between Bobcats and Grizzlies, Bozeman and Missoula, both quintessential university towns that vie for Montana’s sports loyalty in a state with no major league teams. But a new divide opened its maw during the past week, demonstrating the great divide between ultra-conservative Republicans and, if such a term can be used, more moderate Republicans. Though the division that has ground the country to a near-halt has been portrayed as more Republicans versus Democrats, it’s really about the identity of the GOP. For once, this is not something that can be blamed on Democrats, no matter how often Nancy Pelosi’s name is invoked or how liberally the word “woke” is sprinkled about. That battle in D.C., might as well be happening in Montana because the battle lines – the other great divide, if you will – is on full display here. Montana’s two Congressmen illustrate the point perfectly as they try to out-Republican each other as the GOP goes through the convulsions over its identity. Rep. Ryan Zinke, who represents Montana’s western district, backed former U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. As the country stumbled toward a shutdown, Zinke appeared with leadership, sporting a beard, and giving a full-throated endorsement of the embattled-yet-doomed Speaker. On one hand, Zinke represents a more moderate faction of Republicans, but using that terms seems like taking extreme liberties with the word “moderate.” Both McCarthy have clung to the coattails of another embattled leader, Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Rosendale is one of the handful of less than 10 representatives who have lead what can only be described as a coup against leadership, precipitating a sort of identity crisis in which “MAGA Republicans” have out-MAGAed themselves. Some may be quick to point the finger at the Democrats for not supporting McCarthy’s adult-in-the-room approach, but as many of them pointed out: From his brownnosing tactics after the Jan. 6th insurrection to his ham-handed attempt at appeasing the far-right with a ridiculous impeachment theater, McCarthy did nothing to earn their trust, and nothing to prove he was their leader. Instead, Rosendale and his other hardliners have clung to a litany of complaints about McCarthy ranging from backroom deals cut with Biden to ineffective leadership. The narrow majority of Republicans in Congress has meant any disagreement within the GOP, and legislation stalls. The practical effect is, of course, a group of less than a dozen lawmakers like Rosendale and Rep. Matt Gaetz has become outsized as appeasement and a threat of removing McCarthy has held the Republicans hostage to a fringe that’s increasingly detached from reality. Not to mix metaphor, but now that Rosendale and McCarthy have played their respective trump cards, the fracturing of the party begins. Whether it will twist itself into obscurity or re-emerge refocused and more moderate is still unclear. But if you needed evidence of that soul searching, look no farther than both of Montana’s Congressman. While Zinke was supporting the erstwhile Speaker, his chief of staff Heather Swift, no stranger to D.C. politics threw some pretty serious shade at Rosendale on the platform formerly known as Twitter: “Rosendale cares about 1 thing & that’s his flaccid senate campaign. The only thing worse than being the guy responsible for killing the GOP spending/border plan & the majority, is being the guy holding his bag during news conference. He’s not a republican.He’s a an embarrassment.” Her boss, Zinke, may have even one-upped her characterization of Rosendale without even naming him: “You can’t say you’re for something when you’ve been voting against it. If you’re pushing for individual spending bills, this political theater moves the needle in the opposite direction and prolongs Biden’s awful policies across the board. You can’t complain about smoke from the fire when you’re the one holding the matches. Vacating the chair is a waste of time all due to personal disagreements when we should be doing our jobs and funding the government, defending our country and securing our border. We’re here to build, not burn.” The Republican Party is, at best, having an identity crisis, at worst, it’s imploding. As interesting as the rhetoric is coming from both camps, this is a problem for the Republicans, caused by the Republicans, and it’s one that the Republicans will have to tackle. Alone. Yet, when I think about the positive things that Republicanism has historically stood for: Governing in a serious manner; watching taxes and spending; limited government; and even conservation of natural resources, those are things which many Americans crave. It’s time for the decent people to demand a return to serious politics and it’s a chance to exit this political equivalent of the TV series “Jackass” in which increasingly stupid stunts eventually led to someone getting hurt. This identity crisis has nothing to do with Democrats or the liberals or the snowflakes and everything to do with the rot rooted in brokering alliances with profoundly fringe groups and con men without an moral compass. I don’t say this often, but I think I agree with Ryan Zinke. 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