Tyler Gernant for Congress

A Pledge To Our Veterans

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Pence) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0000

The men and women who serve in the United States Military embody our country's finest qualities- honor, strength, compassion and a commitment to others. These values are brought to communities across Montana when the men and women who serve our country return home to civilian life. Our veterans strengthen our communities and our country. For their service and sacrifice, I would like to thank the men and women who have served our country.

We have a moral obligation to keep the promises our country has made to our veterans and our service men and women. That means making sure our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from PTSD have access to treatment. That means combating veterans unemployment and homelessness. That means ensuring female veterans have the same access to health care as any other American veteran. That means cutting down the claims backlog at the VA to make sure that our disabled veterans get the treatment they need.

As a Congressman, it would be a privilege to serve the men and women who serve our country. I pledge to always work for veterans and never take their service for granted. Thank you to all of our veterans for their service and commitment to our country.

Fort Hood

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Murdough) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:27:00 +0000

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Fort Hood community.

-from all of us at Tyler Gernant for Congress

Health Care

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Pence) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:05:00 +0000

An entire week has passed since congressional candidate Tyler Gernant asked his primary opponent to join him in uniting with President Obama on the issue of health care reform. Since that request, Mr. McDonald has refused to publicly state whether or not he would join Gernant and the President. What the public did receive was a late night fundraising appeal from Mr. McDonald that made a thin attempt to associate himself with the President without actually changing his previous stance on health care reform, a position that is far from the Obama administration’s plan.

As reported in the Flathead Beacon (Sept. 14), Mr. McDonald staked out a position last June that is far from what Democrats in Congress would support. Three months later, in a fundraising appeal sent via email at 11:15 p.m. on Sept, 13, McDonald used President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress to make vague references about supporting health care reform. Has McDonald switched his position on health care reform? Has McDonald decided to unite with Tyler Gernant and support President Obama's plan for health care reform? Seven days have passed and there is still no clear answer.

In joining President Obama’s call for Congress to unite with him, Gernant has also requested that Rep. Dennis Rehberg commit to working in a bi-partisan effort on health care reform. Rehberg has not responded to that request.

What the public has heard from Rehberg is a denial to address the issue of health care affordability. During a press conference held after Rehberg was released from a Kalispell hospital following a boating accident on Flathead Lake, a reporter asked about whether the experience had given him any new perspectives or appreciation for the cost of care he received (see below for Sept. 9 transcript). Mr. Rehberg, a multimillionaire who receives taxpayer funded health care and was recently reported (Roll Call, Sept. 14) as one of the richest members of Congress, had nothing to say about the skyrocketing cost of health care in America.

“I am running against one Dennis who will say anything about health care to raise money for his campaign and another Dennis who is worth so much money that he doesn’t even care about what the rest of us have to pay for a hospital stay,” said Gernant. “This is just more of the same Washington-style politics that Montanans are fed up with. Money controls every decision that Dennis and Dennis make and the rest of us pay the price.

“The system in Washington is broken and Dennis and Dennis aren’t offering anything to fix it. If we are ever going to change the way Washington works, we have to change who we send there. And that is why I am running for Congress,” concluded Gernant.

Check out Tyler's stance on Health Care.

Gernant Urges McDonald to Support President Obama's Health Care Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Pence) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:20:00 +0000

(Missoula) - Congressional candidate Tyler Gernant has called on his primary election opponent to join him in supporting the White House health care plan. Instead of providing Montanans with a response, Dennis McDonald decided to send out a fundraising email.

In a late Friday night fundraising pitch, Mr. McDonald made a vague attempt to latch on to President Obama’s health care speech earlier that week. The only problem is that Mr. McDonald still has not stated whether or not he is uniting with Tyler Gernant in endorsing the details of that speech.

“Before any utterance of support or taking me up on my request that we unite around the President, Dennis McDonald felt it was more important to send out a fundraising email in the middle of the night,” said Gernant. “Earlier this year Dennis stated his support for a health care plan that is far from what President Obama and I support. Before trying to take advantage of such a hot issue for the sake of lining his bank account, I am calling on Mr. McDonald once again to join the President and I, and I am hoping he can provide all of us with a clear statement.”

“Beyond that, I would like to now know if Rep. Rehberg is going to unite with me as well. President Obama made a direct appeal for unity to Mr. Rehberg in front of a joint session of Congress and all we heard in response was that he wanted to take another 30 day vacation from his job,” Gernant continued. “Montanans are paying good money for Mr. Rehberg’s salary and expect him to get to work instead of taking some more time to rest and relax. If Dennis and Dennis won’t unite with the President and I - - If Dennis and Dennis would rather do other things and are unwilling to roll up their sleeves and get to work, then I will. The health care issue is too important.”

It has now been 5 days since Gernant has called upon Mr. McDonald to unite behind the president’s plan and 7 days since President Obama made the same request of Mr. Rehberg. Gernant’s campaign will continue to keep track of the days until both gentleman respond.

Supporting Our President

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Pence) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:27:00 +0000

(Missoula) - Congressional candidate Tyler Gernant has called on Dennis McDonald to drop his bid for a single payer health care system and support President Obama's plan to provide quality, affordable health care for all Montanans.

During a nationally televised speech, President Obama made it clear that America urgently needs to enact health care reform and a single payer system is not the way it should be done.

"Now is the time to move forward with health care. Too many Montana families are being driven into bankruptcy because of medical costs. Too many people are being denied care because of pre-existing conditions. We cannot afford to wait any longer. President Obama made it clear that we need to move forward. As a Montanan, I hope that Dennis McDonald will join me in supporting President Obama's plan for quality, affordable health care."

As a fiscal conservative, Gernant also praised President Obama for putting forth a plan that would not add to the national debt.

Have a Great Labor Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:51:00 +0000

We just returned from a fantastic Labor Day picnic in Great Falls, and I was reminded about what makes Labor Day such a special holiday. Folks from all walks of life and political persuasions showed up to celebrate the contributions of working class Montanans. Today is a day to celebrate the vast contributions of Montana's workers, but it is also a day to recognize the the basic dignity of work and to reaffirm our fight to ensure that every Montanan has the opportunity to work. Though Labor Day marks the traditional end to the summer, it is just the beginning of our campaign to bring opportunity to every Montanan.

A sad day

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:00 +0000

A good morning took a sour note as I picked up the paper and read the headline that Sen. Kennedy had passed away.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family as they mourn the loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and we give thanks for his lifetime of public service. But I also honor the voice he lent to all working men, women and children of an entire nation. It was because of Senator Kennedy’s tireless work that today, no child in America goes without healthcare, civil rights were passed, 18 year olds can vote and seniors have Medicare. As with everything he did, the people and the issues that he embraced always became greater.

We have truly lost a powerful leader and advocate for equality, and it was because of Senator Kennedy that so many were given the opportunity to contribute to the fabric of an America that he loved so dearly. We will be forever grateful for his life’s work.

39% just doesn't work

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:23:00 +0000

A new DailyKos/Research 2000 poll has only 39% of Montanans saying they would vote to re-elect Dennis Rehberg (see below). It's pretty extraordinary -- he entered Congress with the Y2K bug, and yet just 39% of voters in our state consider the job he has done (or hasn’t done, I guess) worthy of another term. There is no question today that there is a path to victory for our campaign.

With this poll Montanans have made it clear they're ready to interview a new candidate for Congress. Join our campaign, contribute and help make sure their next hire will truly earn his paycheck. Because 39% just isn't working for us anymore.

- Tyler

QUESTION: If the 2010 election for Congress were held today would you definitely vote to reelect Denny Rehberg would you consider voting for another candidate or would you definitely vote to replace Rehberg?

Demographic	Reelect	Consider	Replace
All	39	34	27
Men	45	32	23
Women	33	36	31
Democrats	7	43	50
Republicans	66	25	9
Independents	36	37	27
18-29	34	38	28
30-34	43	31	26
45-59	36	36	28
60+	44	32	24

The Research 2000 Montana Poll was conducted from August 17 through August 19, 2009. A total of 600 likely voters who vote regularly in state elections were interviewed statewide by telephone. The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than plus or minus 4% percentage points. For the full survey data, visit http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/8/19/MT/347.

Taking The Health Care Fight Where It Belongs

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:18:00 +0000

As an independent-minded Montanan, I applaud those in Washington who have decided to do what is right by the American people and work together to find real solutions for health care reform. I agree whole-heartedly with the concept of a public option for those who choose that it is the best choice for them financially. Montanans don’t want to be forced into any type of health care plan and are smart enough to know what is best for them. With the current policy outline, no one from Montana will have to give up their health care or change their doctor if they don’t want to. It is their choice.

But even after health care legislation is passed, there will continue to be an even bigger fight, and unfortunately we are seeing it rear its ugly head at town halls all across the country. Good Americans are being misled and misinformed by corporate sponsored organizations. Big insurance companies are using the American people as pawns while hiding behind complex tax codes. Those companies are too afraid to fight out in the open and they are scaring working families. Instead of an honest discussion, they use corporate dollars to spread lies and half-truths about health care reform. Those companies operate as con artists and families everywhere should be on the lookout.

When I go to Congress, I am going to change the way Washington works by bringing about more transparency. These organizations will continue to fight against affordable health care reform unless we expose them and make them come out in the open. I am willing to take this fight into the public domain. The question will be whether or not the big insurance companies will join me or if they will continue to just be corporate cowards.

- Tyler

Happy 4th of July!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Murdough) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Best wishes to everyone as we celebrate our nation's independence!

Why We Help

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:07:00 +0000

"That's awesome," says Nathan, our campaign manager, talking to another volunteer with an incredulous smile. "You've gone through 600 names on that list already? That's awesome."

There's a small feeling of accomplishment- the kind that's making our work on this campaign more and more meaningful as time goes on. I feel like I'm taking little steps toward our bigger goal of bringing opportunities to working Montanans, from folks I know to folks I don't.

As Nathan and I continue talking in the main room of the Gernant campaign office, we stop for a second to listen to the muffled tones of a conversation that we're overhearing more frequently lately.

"Well, thanks a lot... Your contribution means a lot to us," comes Tyler's dampened voice from the fundraising office upstairs. "Great, I'll look forward to talking to you soon."

Nathan and I glance at each other and exchange the same looks we would if we heard a good weather report on the radio just before a fishing trip:

Grins.

"I'm pretty sure he's going to hit his goal again tonight," Nathan says. "We've been working really hard to get to this point, and it's finally paying off. It's looking really good."

There's some irony here: the better the fundraising goes, the less we see of Tyler. We know he's in a room just upstairs. Every now and then he'll come into the main office for some coffee to drink and spend a few minutes chatting with volunteers-offering them a brief break and a glimpse into the motivation that's driving our campaign. It's already becoming tangible even at this early stage of the race.

He's calm, focused, and optimistic. It spreads around.

He disappears again, back to work. Then we get back to ours.

We're working because a lot of folks we know can't. Many of my friends- buddies who graduated college several weeks ago, and also friends and their families in Columbia Falls, Milltown, Stevi, Billings, and out on the highline- are losing their jobs and don't know where they're going to find new ones. They're not sure if they'll have to leave the state or not. There's a lot of uncertainty there.

So while the little ups and downs of fundraising, volunteer calls, and donor recruitment can add an emotional sway on a day-to-day basis, there's a stronger, more consistent sense of steady growth and confidence that's been inspiring lately.

Part of it is this bigger picture we're working for, and part of it is Tyler.

And then there are the responses we've been getting lately. People really seem to get what we're doing here.

We're working for our friends and their families, for people throughout the state who are eager for new jobs and long-term growth. And those are the folks Tyler is working for, the folks across Montana who need more.

The beginning

nathan.kosted@gmail.com (Nathan Kosted) — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Hey this is Nathan, I just wanted to share this note from Ray who is interning with us this summer:

Most people dread the journey to the coffeepot the first day after a long weekend, but for the members of Team Tyler yesterday morning was especially energetic.

New staff and volunteers convened for our first staff training session. In addition to coffee, there was a new hope brewing in the office. We got a chance to talk in depth with Tyler about his commitment to creating opportunity for all Montanans by investing in renewable energy, revitalizing rural Montana, reducing the debt and reforming the tax code. Although some staff had just met Tyler, the clear admiration and commitment was gleaming in their eyes as they heard more.

As we discussed the future of the campaign it was clear that these meetings, these moments are the type that will flash endlessly through your mind in the minutes leading up to the announcement of the final count. Tyler's honesty and energy are a clear forecast for the future of the campaign.

Ray

Honoring those who served

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Thank you to all the veterans that make it possible for us to observe this day in peaceful solemnity. Today is set aside to honor your sacrifice, but we all bear the fruits of your sacrifice every day. My grandfather served in World War II, but he rarely spoke of his service. Although your service often goes unsung, we are grateful for all that you have given up so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom. Simply put, thank you for all that you do and have done to serve our country.

A New Way of Doing Things

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Today we are introducing a new element by becoming the first campaign in history to offer our position papers via Amazon Kindle. For those that have a Kindle, Kindle 2 or are planning on getting a Kindle DX, you can purchase a packet of these policy papers here for 99 cents.

While we understand that these are the same policy papers that are available on our website, there is something that's a little different about our Kindle program. First of all, the Kindle content allows you to more easily share issue positions with your friends while you're away from your computer. You won't have to carry around a bunch of loose papers or squint to read text on your phone or blackberry. In fact, Kindle's text-to-speech feature can read the issue positions to you. More importantly, though, 100% of the money that we make will go back into Montana . . . literally. For every Kindle download, we receive a portion of the proceeds, and all of those proceeds will be used to plant trees right here in Montana. This is a creative new way to help us spread our message of opportunity while ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy Montana's natural wonders.

While we're excited to add this new element to our campaign, we also know that there are some even more exciting things that we could be doing. We're hoping that this new program will start the ball rolling. To help us engage Montanans in innovative and creative new ways, send us your ideas.

- Tyler

A Glimpse At the Candidate

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Hey everybody, this is Andy.

I met Tyler in March at the Missoula Club, known as the Mo-club to us. We sat down and went over a few things: politics, stuff we knew, but mainly baseball and basketball. I was stoked for opening day, and he was excited to see how his March Madness picks turned out.

We grabbed a beer and got down to business. I asked him point blank why he was running for Congress, and for the next ten minutes we discussed everything from his stance on key issues to his logo. Halfway through our talk I was sold.

What impressed me was not only how similar his story is to so many of ours, but it was his genuineness and calm demeanor about the challenges we face. He was frank about what we have to do, but not afraid.

For him, this race isn't about... him. This race is not about putting his name on a sign. It's about all of us, and those who come after and inherit what we leave behind.

I left feeling good about our state, and optimistic about this new candidate for Montana's lone congressional seat.

Baseball or Basketball... With Tyler Gernant in the race, it's a whole new ball game.

Join the Movement!

nathan.kosted@gmail.com (Nathan Kosted) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:31:00 +0000

Do you want to help build a better Montana?

Have you thought about working on a campaign, gaining experience in political strategy, finance, speech writing, or web design? College students, would you like a chance to earn credit?

Tyler Gernant for Congress is looking for interns!

By getting involved you will have the chance to be part of the movement to create and extend opportunity for all Montanans. Contact us if you are interested.

Get Excited!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Murdough) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:51:00 +0000

Hi, everyone! Kat here, blogging for Team Tyler.

The past few weeks have been quite eventful for us! Since Tyler announced his candidacy, more and more people have been drawn to his fresh perspective and enthusiasm. And now we have this blog to discuss the campaign, the issues, and the candidate who’s generating such excitement.

For those of you who are still learning about Tyler, let me tell you a few reasons why you should get excited. Tyler’s love for Montana and his pride in his family’s heritage were evident when he announced his candidacy from his grandmother’s home in Whitetail. In him, you have a candidate who will create and extend opportunities for all Montanans.

As your representative in Congress, Tyler will work to implement fair tax policies, reduce the national debt, and restore the American Dream to what it ought to be: a dream we can all make come true.

He’ll use his voice to stand up for us. You can use yours to spread the word about him! Talk to your friends, send an email, post a link to the site, volunteer, or contribute to the campaign. Let’s make Team Tyler our winning team!

What a Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Tyler Gernant) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:34:00 +0000

So I had a pretty busy weekend...having driven from Missoula to Whitetail and back again. A 1,000 mile roundtrip in 36 hours, but it was great to be back in Daniels County, the birthplace of my family in Montana and announce my candidacy for Congress as a Democrat.

Even though it was a long weekend and I just got home moments ago, I have never felt more energized in my life. I am incredibly excited for the journey ahead, and I hope that you can join me on this journey. I can't wait to meet you and hear your ideas for Montana in person and on this blog.

-Tyler