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> YPR News Desk > Election 2008
Election 2008
 2008
is shaping up to be an interesting political year both nationally and
across the Intermountain West. Whether it's a nationally broadcast presidential
debate or a call-in for a statewide candidate, Yellowstone Public Radio
will bring you up-to-the-minute coverage of the 2008 election cycle.
Join YPR News Director Jackie Yamanaka for
an in-depth look and the candidates and issues facing voters this November.
As always, YPR will archive audio of any locally-produced Election 2008
program. Also, be sure to read How to Participate
in Live Call-In Programs so that you can add your voice to the discussions in advance of Election
Day.
Visit the
Election 2008 Call-In / Debate Audio Archive
Visit the Montana Secretary of State website for information on Montana's
election results
NPR / News Hour 2008
Election Map
The
NPR / NewsHour 2008 Election
Map is a large leap in collaboration
across the public broadcasting system that involves National
Public Radio, PBS's
NewsHour, and local public broadcasting outlets. Working
together, editorial teams curate the best election related news, provide
rich data on each state's political environment, and publish up-to-date
results on election night. The map also integrates election news from
local stations.
Archived YPR Election 2008 Coverage
 Pre-Election Reminders
aired November 3, 2008
The Montana Secretary of State's office is projection 70% voter turnout for the 2008 general election. As Jackie Yamanaka reports, with the expected high turnout, the state's top elections office has a few reminders for people casting ballots.
MSU-Billings Poll: Other Races
aired October 24, 2008
MSU-Billings Poll of Montanans part 2 of 2 (.pdf file)
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are in a statistical dead heat according to the MSU-Billings Poll of Montanans. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
MSU-Billings Poll: Presidential Race
aired October 23, 2008
MSU-Billings Poll of Montanans part 1 of 2 (.pdf file)
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are in a statistical dead heat according to the MSU-Billings Poll of Montanans. Jackie Yamanaka reports. Public Service Commission District 3 Race
aired October 21, 2008
The race for the Public Service Commission District 3 seat is quiet. No negative campaigns. No filing ethics violation charges among the candidates, as has happened in another PSC contest this year. Instead the two candidates are trying to get attention from voters on the issues. Jackie Yamanaka explains.
6 Mill Levy Ballot Measure
aired October 15, 2008
Montana voters are being asked to decide the fate of a six mill property ax that helps fund the state's university system. The current levy expires in January of 2009. Legislative Referendum 118 asks voters if they want to extend the proposal another decade. Jackie Yamanaka has more on the argument for and against the mesaure.
Ron Waterman - Yellowstone Area Bar Association
aired September 29, 2008
Attorney Ron Waterman says the phrase "justice for all" is the reason why he's running for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. He told a lunch meeting of the Yellowstone Area Bar Association that's why he's still representing some low-income clients for free even though his campaign takes him across the state. Waterman says during his campaign he's hearing from attorneys concerned about the backlog of cases. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
PSC Debate - District 2
aired September 25, 2008
Two candidates vying for a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission faced off in Billings. Incumbent Republican Brad Molnar and Democratic challenger Ron Tussing debated who would do the best job representing consumers on the five-member panel. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) Call-In
Brian
Schweitzer Call-In (WMA)
 Brian
Schweitzer Call-In (MP3)
Democratic
Governor Brian Schweitzer is
an incumbent candidate for Governor of Montana. On Tuesday, September
23, he joined YPR News Director Jackie Yamanaka and
retired Billings Gazette agricultural and political reporter Jim
Gransbery in the YPR studios for an hour-long call-in featuring
questions and comments from listeners.
Steve Bullock (D) Call-In
Steve
Bullock Call-In (WMA)
Steve
Bullock Call-In (MP3)
Democrat Steve
Bullock is a candidate for Montana's Attorney General. On
Monday, September 22, he joined YPR News Director Jackie Yamanaka and
retired Billings Gazette agricultural and political reporter Jim
Gransbery in the YPR studios for an hour-long call-in featuring
questions and comments from listeners.
League
of Women Voters - Supreme Court Candidate Forum
aired September 18, 2008
The candidates for chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court
touted their background, experiences and differences during a forum last night
in Billings. About 30 people attended the forum sponsored by the League of Women
Voters of Billings. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Supreme Court Candidate Forum Raw Audio
Candidates: Mike
McGrath, Ron
Waterman
Panelists included Jeanne Matthews Bender of
Holland & Hart, Robert Stephens of the
Southside Law Center, and Lorna Thackeray of
the Billings Gazette
Welcome/Opening
Comments (WMA)
Welcome/Opening
Comments (MP3)
Question
& Answer Period (WMA)
Question & Answer
Period (MP3)
Closing
Comments (WMA)
Closing
Comments (MP3)
Early Voting - Montana General Election
aired September 8, 2008
Officially, November 4th is Election Day. But Montanans can vote almost a month earlier if the request and absentee ballot for the upcoming fall elections. As Jackie Yamanaka reports, early voting has changed the way the state's political parties and candidates campaign.
Obama's
Riverfront Park Visit
aired August 28, 2008
The economy and problems of veterans and Native Americans
were all covered by Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama on his pre-convention
tour of the country. The setting was Riverfront Park in Billings. 200 veterans
and military families were his audience. Kay Erickson has more.
Obama's
Montana Strategy
aired August 12, 2008
Officials with Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign
predict it will be their strong volunteer effort that will lead to victory
in November. They held a telephone conference call with reporters to talk about
their strategy to win Montana. But Republican John McCain's campaign says they're
not giving Montana to the Democrats. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
 David
Sirota
aired August 4
Author and former Montana resident David Sirota says Monana
is a bellweather for the uprising that's currently sweeping the country. He
says there are lessons to be learned from the 2007 Montana Legislature—specifically
over taxes. Sirota will wrap up a nationwide book tour in Montana this week.
Jackie Yamanaka reports.
David Sirota's website: http://www.davidsirota.com/
David Sirota Supplemental Audio
David
Sirota's definition of an uprising, using taxes as an example.
Sirota
talks about the tax issue in Montana during the 2007 Montana Legislature and
the strategy progressives used in the tax debate.
Sirota's
analysis of Montana's 2008 primary election. Two unorthodox candidates
emerged victorious in their respective races for the U-S Senate and
the U-S House. Butte lawyer Bob Kelleher became the Republican's nominee
for the U-S Senate despite running in the past as a Democrat and as
a Green Party candidate.
John
Driscoll on Coal
aired July 28, 2008
Democratic U.S. House candidate John Driscoll says his
goal during the Democratic Party's platform convention was to challenge participants
to move beyond their comfort zone and listen to all ideas. He apparently pushed
them with his remarks on coal—Driscoll told attendees who were meeting
in southeastern Montana's coal country he would do everything he could to bring
a halt to burning coal for electricity. But as he told Jackie Yamanaka during
a campaign stop in Billings, he's not against coal—he just wants changes.
John Driscoll's website: http://web.mac.com/johndriscoll37
Rehberg
on Cuba
aired July 24, 2008
Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg has changed his position
on the United States' economic and travel sanctions on Cuba. Rehberg and the
Montana Democratic Party agree on that. Where they disagree is why. State party
chairman Dennis McDonald charges it's because of campaign contributions. A
spokesman for Rehberg calls that a lie. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Rehberg
Visits Iraq
aired July 23, 2008
Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg says he saw progress
during his most recent visit to Iraq. Rehberg's comments came during a telephone
conference call with Montana reporters. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Obama
in Montana/General Election
aired July 21, 2008
The chief of staff for Democratic Presidential candidate
Barack Obama says the campaign considers Montana to be a battleground state.
Jim Messina made the comment today during a telephone conference call. Jackie
Yamanaka reports.
Supreme
Court Race Appearances
aired July 14, 2008
A candidate for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court
is raising questions about his opponent's view of judicial elections and responsibilities.
Helena attorney Ron Waterman spoke recently before the County Attorneys'sociation
meeting. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Healthy
Kids Ballot Measure
aired June 26, 2008
Supporters of a ballot measure to expand health insurance
coverage for Montana children say they've gathered more than enough signatures
to qualify it for the fall ballot. State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner
John Morrisson was in Billings to discuss the measure. As a private citizen,
he led the effort to collect petition signatures for Initiative
155. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Young Voters
aired June 2, 2008
The presidential primary season will end with Montana and South Dakota heading to the polls. A large number of young people will head to the polls for the first time. They are excited to vote, knowledgeable on the issues and are taking an active role in the election process. Kay Erickson explains.
Chelsea Clinton in Billings
aired May 30, 2008
Chelsea Clinton was in Billings on the campaign trail on
behalf of her mother. Her first stop was before a small gathering of Native Americans
in Billings. Kay Erickson has more. Hillary
Clinton in Montana
aired May 28, 2008
Raw
Audio: Hillary Clinton's Full Remarks (WMA)
Raw
Audio: Hillary Clinton's Full Remarks (MP3)
 pictured: Sen.
Clinton applauds during her rally in Billings. [photo by Jackie Yamanaka]
Senator Hillary Clinton brought her campaign back to Montana, one week before
the state's primary election. Montana and South Dakota hold the nation's last
primaries on June third. Just over a thousand people came to MetraPark's Montana
Pavilion in Billings to hear Clinton. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Obama Visits Billings and Crow
aired May 19, 2008
Sen.
Obama at BWHS: General Remarks (WMA)
Sen.
Obama at BWHS: General Remarks (MP3)
Sen.
Obama at BWHS: Q & A (WMA)
Sen.
Obama at BWHS: Q & A (MP3)
Sen.
Obama at Crow Agency (WMA)
Sen.
Obama at Crow Agency (MP3)
 pictured: Sen.
Obama waves to the crowd at Crow Agency. Crow Tribal Chairman Carl
Venne is at the podium. [photo by Jackie Yamanaka]
Democrat Barack Obama brought his Presidential campaign to Billings, the Crow Reservation and Bozeman on Monday. His visit comes as the presidential primary elections are wrapping up. In about two weeks Montana will hold one of the nation's last two primaries. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Huckabee
for Brown
aired April 30, 2008
Mike
Huckabee's Complete Remarks
 pictured: Mike
Huckabee (R) [photo by Jackie Yamanaka]
Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (R) made stops in Billings and Bozeman
on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown. The former Arkansas governor
says Congress is so polarized it's up to governors to take the lead. Huckabee
says state leaders do have influence on policies at the national level and he
points to Montana's vast energy resources as an example of the state's leverage.
Huckabee mentioned the rising cost of energy at his appearance in Billings. As
Jackie Yamanaka reports, Huckabee says the U.S. needs to wean itself off of Middle
Eastern oil.
Obama
Campaign: Montana & South Dakota
aired April 30, 2008
Montana and South Dakota are the least two states to vote
in this year's primary. And with the competitive contest in the Democratic primary,
heavy hitters are trying to sway voters from both states. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Supplemental Raw Audio
Mike
Huckabee Comments on Rev. Wright Controversy
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s
comment on why he thinks the Reverend Jeremiah Wright continues to speak
out despite calls from Barack Obama’s supporters that such remarks
will hurt the Illinois Senator’s chances to become the first African
American president.
McGrath
at Yellowstone Area Bar Association
aired April 21, 2008
Supreme Court Chief Justice candidate Mike McGrath says his
number one priority will be to address the delays in issuing opinions. He told
a lunch meeting of the Yellowstone Area Bar Association he knows the state's
high court has a heavy caseload. But McGrath says more can be done to expedite
decisions. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Obama
and Clinton on the Issues
aired April 7, 2008
The presidential candidates have been criss-crossing
the country for months speaking on the issues. This weekend, Montanans
got to hear first hand from the Democratic candidates. Both Barack
Obama and Hillary Clinton appeared in Butte. Jackie Yamanaka has
more on what they had to say on some of the major issues.
Democratic
Candidates in Butte
aired April 7, 2008
 The
two Democratic presidential candidates brought their campaigns
to Montana over the weekend. Attention has turned to the state
because of the tight contest between the Senators Hillary Clinton
and Barak Obama. Neither one has secured the number of votes needed
to be the Democratic nominee ahead of the upcoming Democratic convention.
As Jackie Yamanaka reports from Butte he two appeared together
Saturday night.
Democratic Candidates: Unedited Audio
2008 Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner
Senator
Barack Obama (WMA)
Senator
Barack Obama (MP3)
Senator
Hillary Clinton (WMA)
Senator
Hillary Clinton (MP3)
Both Sen. Barack
Obama (D-IL) and Sen. Hillary
Clinton (D-NY) spoke at the Montana
Democratic Party's annual Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner on April 5. Sen.
Obama spoke first, followed roughly two hours later by Sen. Clinton.
The dinner, traditionally held in Helena, was held in Butte, where some
4,000 people paid to hear the candidates in person. Both candidates were
introduced by Montana Democratic Party Chairman Dennis McDonald.
Rehberg
Campaign Announcement
aired March 18, 2008
Complete
Rehberg Announcement (MP3)
 pictured: Rep.
Denny Rehberg (R) [photo by Jackie Yamanaka]
Republican Denny Rehberg officially launched his bid for a fifth term in the
U.S. House in his hometown, Billings. It was the only official campaign stop
planned. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Tussing
Announces PSC Candidacy
aired February 28, 2008
Billings Mayor Ron Tussing announced he's running
for a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission. The 5-member panel
regulates public utilities. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Daines
Joins Brown
aired February 27, 2008
 Republican
gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown launched
a seven-city tour to introduce his running mate, Bozeman high tech executive
Steve Daines. The campaign began in Billings. Jackie Yamanaka reports.
Pictured: Roy
Brown (left) and Steve Daines [photo by Jackie Yamanaka]
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