Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s ‘Rough Week’

Montana Democrat Governor Steve Bullock’s is having a rough week – and that’s according to his own office. After his Lieutenant Governor suddenly quit over a “falling out” with the governor, many around the state questioned Bullock’s competence and leadership. More details were then revealed proving that Bullock had not been honest about the reasoning behind his LG’s departure. The Billings Gazette even noted an emerging pattern displayed by Governor Bullock of a lack of “credibility, trust and transparency.” That pattern continued today as Bullock was scheduled to appear on the Voices of Montana radio talk show to directly respond to the growing uncertainty his administration is producing.

Instead, Governor Bullock’s office canceled the interview. When explaining why the Governor was forgoing this opportunity to answering questions directly from the people of Montana, his own communications director said that Governor Bullock was having a “rough week.” When your own aides publicly state that you are having a rough week, you are in trouble.

Listen to the audio here: https://youtu.be/LDqDUIJ6pD

Background: 

Angela McLean, Bullock’s Second Lieutenant Governor In Three Years, Resigned After A “Falling Out” With Governor Bullock. “Sources told MTN News that McLean, appointed lieutenant governor just 22 months ago, had had a falling out with the governor and seen a diminished role on the job in recent months.” (Mike Dennison, “Lt. Gov. McLean Resigning To Take Higher-Ed Job,” MTN News,11/30/2015)

McLean’s Sudden Departure Surprised Everyone, Including Bullock. “Bullock has said he found out about McLean’s departure Monday morning, something Parker said ‘speaks volumes. … If he didn’t know this was in the offing, I think that says a lot.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

McLean Left Under Mysterious Circumstances. “…He goes out and picks Angela McLean, who by all accounts is dynamic and did a good job, and then she mysteriously leaves.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Political Analyst In Montana Questioned Governor Bullock’s Competence Over His Inability To Stick With A Lieutenant Governor. “What’s more important is it looks odd the governor is going to have a third lieutenant governor in a four-year term. That then raises questions I don’t think the governor wants raised. It brings back the Walsh story, it goes to the fundamental question of, ‘Is the governor competent?’” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Emails Detailed A Fraught Relationship Between Bullock And His LG Angela McLean, “By Nov. 9, Bullock and McLean hadn’t spoken in over a month, according to McLean’s emails. Arranging a meeting proved difficult. On that day, McLean wrote to Bullock and asked to meet. Bullock was traveling to Missoula but said he’d have time either that day or the next. McLean sent an email about fundraising calls to Colleen Martin and Melanie Brock on Oct. 11. In that email, she said she asked Bullock two weeks prior to tell her if she would be his running mate in 2016, but that he had not answered her. She also said she was uninvited from a retreat, which indicated to her that he had ‘made up his mind.’ She said it would not be ‘honest’ for her to make fundraising calls.” (Holly Michels, “Emails Details Fraught Relationship Between Bullock, McLean,” Billings Gazette, 12/15/2015)

Bullock Suffers From A Lack Of Credibility, Trust And Transparency. “Bullock’s handling of both Walsh and McLean were mistakes. To us, it boils down to trust. How can we trust the Bullock administration to appoint good leaders, and how can we have faith that the answers given aren’t just spin? We have to trust our governor, and this most recent episode should leave Montanans yearning to rebuild credibility, trust and transparency.” (Editorial, “What’s Really Going On In Montana Governor’s Office?” Billings Gazzette, 12/16/2015)

Bullock Cancels Radio Interview, Communications Director Cites Bullock Having A “Rough Week.” (Audio, Voices Of Montana, 12/17/2015)