By Darrell Ehrlick DAILY MONTANAN
Following the lead of President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night, Montana’s all Republican Congressional delegation largely followed the talking points of Trump, hammering two themes — affordability and castigating Democrats.
Out of all of the reactions to the address, Montana’s junior Senator, Tim Sheehy, had the fewest things to say about the speech, initially only posting praise that members of the military had been honored.
Montana’s other Senator, Steve Daines, who faces a re-election bid this year, took to CNBC to praise the economy under Trump, saying that Republicans had given “the American people a pay raise,” which included no taxes on overtime, tips or Social Security.
“Another way to combat the affordability problem is to give more money to the American people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Montana’s two U.S. House members struck a more combative tone, focusing on the economy while using the post-address analysis as an opportunity to criticize Democrats.
During the State of the Union speech, Trump repeatedly called out Democrats, at one point characterizing them as “crazy” and at another, trying to force Congress to stand if the members agreed with him. Those attempts were rebuffed by most Democrats.
Although Republicans largely share Trump’s views, the president gave the address in the face of plummeting approval ratings and polling that shows 52% of Americans believe Trump’s policies have made the economy worse.
Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke, who is running for his third consecutive term in Congress (his fourth overall), posted a full-throated endorsement of Trump’s speech in a social media statement that included, “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead with the Trump America First Agenda.”
“Tonight, (the President of the United States) laid out why America is back and we are just getting started,” Zinke said, referring to Trump’s remarks about lower gas prices, secured borders and saying that “our enemies once again fear us.”
On X (formerly known as “Twitter”), Zinke also took a swipe at Democrats:
“What are Democrats even protesting tonight? Secure borders? Historic tax relief? Global security? Lower gas prices?
“If Donald Trump cured cancer, Democrats would protest it.”
That concept seemed to be making the rounds as a talking point. It was echoed by Rep. Troy Downing, Montana’s Second District Congressman, who characterized Trump’s remarks as being proud of America by honoring its people, and appeared on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America.”
“You know somebody told me yesterday if Donald Trump said don’t stick yourself in the eye — poke your eye out with a stick — the Democrats would poke out their eye just to spite him,” Downing said, appearing on a cable news network. “You know the Democrats had one chance to be together — this one moment — when (Trump asked) if you believe the American government is here to protect the American people then stand up.
“What a display. That whole half sat there. What do they think they’re there for? What message is that sending?”
Downing also addressed the historically long nature of Trump’s address, while sending out a statement that claimed the Trump administration had done more for Americans than the previous four years under Democrat Joe Biden.
“It was a great speech. You talk about it being the longest,” Downing said. “It didn’t seem like that to me. It seemed about the right size to me. The president was talking about being proud of America. It was not about him, it was about us.”
