Gov. Greg Gianforte listens to Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, outline his subcommittee’s proposals out of the Property Tax Task Force at a meeting on Aug. 15, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)
Is Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte a poor communicator?
That’s not a rhetorical question. And it’s not one that I would reflexively ask just to take a whack at the governor, whose policies I have criticized during his first term in office.
I ask the question because of several notable court cases and other instances that lead me to wonder if part of the governor’s “problem” — if one is even open to the idea that he should be criticized — is that his communication style leaves folks wondering: What is he thinking? Or, why is he doing that?
Let’s take a look at several notable examples:
First, Gianforte is notoriously reclusive and insular, appearing mostly, if not exclusively, on conservative talk shows or at events where his handlers have prepared a brief appearance, usually surrounded by grateful people. Ask most members of the press corps and they’ll tell you about “press availability” at events that are usually cut short, or where Gianforte answers one question, only to be whisked off.
While most Montana governors have had routine press conferences, not so unlike the ones at the White House, in which reporters ask questions of him and his administration, both during and after the Legislature, Gianforte has nearly completely broken with that tradition.
Even lawmakers in his own party, which, at times has enjoyed a supermajority, were surprised by several high-profile moves made by the governor, including vetoing a popular and bipartisan bill that would have distributed tax proceeds from recreational marijuana in a way consistent with the promises made to Montana voters during the referendum on cannabis.
Gianforte did nothing to pump the brakes on an accelerated residential property tax increase, while knowing full well that it would benefit the largest corporations in the state. After public outcry and anger directed at both lawmakers and Gianforte, he turned around blaming local county and city officials across the state for out-of-control spending, despite the fact that most of those same officials are Republicans.
A series of stories even seems to call into question whether Gianforte spends much time in Montana’s capital city, despite a requirement to do so. Not so long ago, such allegations of a governor avoiding the capital would have been as unthinkable as three-quarters of the state’s Congressional delegation being born outside of the Treasure State.
Many media organizations stopped keeping track of how many questions or requests for interviews have been either declined or ignored outright. For example, when many of us ask for the governor’s position on legislation to better explain or understand his position, the stock answer is: The governor will thoughtfully consider any legislation that comes across his desk from the Legislature.
Other than confirming the governor is both alive and is cogent, that’s not helpful.
There are other clues about his insular, maybe even distant approach, from sending Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras as his representative to articulate his administration’s position, to how he has even set up his own communication with staff.
For example, at the very beginning of his administration, he began “Agency Bill Monitoring” forms. We don’t know a lot about them because, well, neither he nor his staff will communicate about them. But, we do know from some court documents that they are forms that were used for staff to communicate with the governor, which suggests an arm’s-length approach.
Back in the early days of Gianforte’s political career, whether by habit or sheer necessity, he used to communicate more, even if it was reading from notes. But that was before he assaulted a reporter. Oddly and disturbingly, he’s won every election since then, which continues to be a topic of discussion whenever I travel out of state. The conversation usually goes something like this, “Montana, eh? Isn’t that the place where your governor…”
“Yes, punched a reporter,” I reply.
“Was it you?” I am asked.
Not a bad guess, considering the condition of my nose, but wrong, I inform them.
For all the things Gianforte isn’t, which may include a decent communicator, he’s no dummy. In fact, he’s very smart and his background proves it. And, as much as he’s taken conservative positions that I strongly disagree with, and seems to have a bromance with big business, there are successes I think would be more notable, if only his communication style was more open and transparent.
For example, even though task forces are often used to give the appearance of action, but rarely provide little more than talking points, the suggestions from the housing task force, while far from perfect, were realistic actions the state government could take to help address the problem. And the twin dumpster fires of the state hospital and the prison system have plagued governors of both parties for years. Again, while still far from perfect, the Gianforte administration should be given credit for trying to address the problems rather than just ignore them and hope nothing bad happens during his tenure.
While the governor has a lot of power, vested in his leadership of the executive branch, one of the most important things he can do is articulate a vision, and communicate his reasons for positions. Doing so isn’t just the obligation of a politician to his constituents, it also creates a lasting trust between the citizens and the government. In other words, it’s not about Gianforte, rather his office, in which he is merely a steward and holds in trust for the future.
Time was when a person could pick up the phone and talk to the governor.
Now, no one even answers.