Received this e-mail today from Democracy for America in support of Rob Quist’s (D. MT-AL) campaign:
The New York Times has a stunning scoop on Trumpcare and the Montana special election -- proving that Rob Quist's Republican opponent is every bit the dishonest extremist we thought:
When Greg Gianforte, the Republican running for an open House seat in Montana, was asked on Thursday whether he would have supported the bill repealing the Affordable Care Act that passed the House that day, he declined to answer...
But on the same day, during a private conference call with Republican-leaning lobbyists in Washington, Mr. Gianforte offered a more supportive view of the health bill. Making the case for the "national significance" of the Montana election on May 25, Mr. Gianforte said: "The votes in the House are going to determine whether we get tax reform done, sounds like we just passed a health care thing, which I'm thankful for, sounds like we're starting to repeal and replace."
It's clear that Republicans like Gianforte are scared -- and yet they won't stop until they lose elections. That's why progressive populist -- and Medicare for All supporter -- Rob Quist is so important. He's running to take back a deep red House seat in Montana in a special election on May 25. And Republicans are terrified that he is going to win.
The Senate Republicans are watching the health care debate closely right now, as they determine whether or not they want to move Trumpcare forward. If we can help Rob pull off a surprise win in Republican territory, we can demonstrate the power of the movement ready to fight this bill -- and send a grave warning to the Senate GOP on Trumpcare.
Can you pitch in $3 or more to support Rob Quist and DFA so we can take back this red-state seat and show the Republicans that attacks on our health care have consequences?
On the same call the New York Times overheard, Gianforte made it clear that Rob Quist can win -- and is a serious threat to Trumpcare:
"We're in a single-digit race," he said, adding that the left would relish the symbolic importance of snatching a Republican-held House seat. "The Democrats would like nothing more than to put one up on the board and take this away from us to stop the Trump Train and block tax reform and block the regulations we’ll be able to peel back."
Gianforte made it clear what the stakes are in this crucial special election. If we win, we can "stop the Trump Train" and stop the rich from getting a huge tax cut.
Rob Quist didn't mince words or give Republicans an inch of cover for their blatant assault on health care access. Here's what he had to say in a statement after Trumpcare passed:
"The House of Representatives today passed a bill that would kick thousands of hardworking Montanans off of their health insurance and raise premiums by hundreds of dollars a month. This bill ends protections for people with preexisting conditions and would force older Americans to pay even more. The list goes on.
I oppose this bill because it would hurt the people of Montana and hardworking families across the state. No real Montanan would vote for it."
That last line is a shot at Gianforte. Rob Quist is a born-and-bred Montana rancher. Gianforte is a right-wing creationist billionaire who moved to Montana from New Jersey.
Republicans know that they're in trouble in Montana. They're pulling out all the stops to help Rob's opponent right now -- they're even sending Vice President Mike Pence to Montana to stump for him. This is a race that we have a real shot at winning.
Can you chip in $3 or more to support Rob Quist and DFA so we can send a true Medicare for All champion to the House -- and send an unmistakable message to the Republicans that are trying to steal our health care?
Thanks for having Rob's back -- and for supporting DFA.
- Karli
Karli Wallace Thompson, Campaign Manager
Democracy for America
Click here to donate to Quist’s campaign.