What Montanans Are Reading: Sheehy Caught Using Racist Stereotypes

First reported by Char-Koota News, Sheehy’s offensive comments stereotyping Montanan Native American voters have gained significant attention.

In case you missed it, Sheehy was caught saying he “ropes and brands with Crow members,” adding that it’s “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8:00 A.M.” He doubled down at another event saying, “They’ll let you know when they like you or not, if Coors Light cans flying by your head… They respect that.”

Sheehy’s comments on Montanan Native Americans are now in full view, and news outlets are condemning his harmful perception of Native American voters in Montana and his failure to apologize.

What Montana voters are reading:

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Tribal leaders push Republican Tim Sheehy to apologize for comments on Native Americans

“A spokesperson for the tribal leaders council, Tom Rodgers, predicted the comments would motivate Native Americans to vote against Sheehy in November.”

NEW YORK TIMES: Tim Sheehy Was Recorded Using Racist Stereotypes About Native Americans

“By making these remarks, Mr. Sheehy not only used stereotypes, but he also waded into the complex history of Native American tribal dynamics in Montana, where Indigenous residents make up about 6 percent of the population. The state has seven reservations and 12 tribes.”

CNN’S LAURA COATES LIVE: NYT obtains audio of Montana GOP candidate using racist stereotypes

COATES: “I can’t imagine this would be not only not helpful but obviously and objectively offensive to make a reference.”

DAILY MONTANAN: Audio catches Senate candidate Sheehy commenting on ‘drunk Indians’

“Sheehy appears to have doubled down on the statements as the first recording was from a Nov. 6, 2023 event in Shelby. Four days later, Sheehy appears to have made similar remarks at an event in Hamilton.”

DAILY MAIL: Montana GOP candidate is caught on tape making racist remarks about ‘drunk Indians’

“’Montana has the 5th highest Native-American population of any state,’ noted Zac Harmon. ‘This is just so racist and contemptuous towards them.’”

NATIVE NEWS ONLINE: Montana GOP Candidate Tim Sheehy Caught on Audio Talking About “Drunk Indians at 8 a.m.

“In Montana, there are eight federally recognized tribes and seven Indian reservations. And, there are 74,130 Native American of the voting age in the state, according to Four Directions Native Vote.”

RAW STORY: Audio emerges of Republican’s racially charged tirade about ‘drunk’ Native Americans

“Sheehy trashed his relationship with Crow Reservation tribal members, saying, “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8:00 A.M.””

POLITICAL WIRE: Tim Sheehy Caught on Audio Making Racist Statements

“Montana U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy (R) is on audio making racist and disparaging comments about Native Americans, the Char-Koota News reports.”

DAILY KOS: Montana Senate Candidate Tim Sheehy (R) Says Crow Indiansare “drunk at 8:00 A.M.”

“According to the US Census of 2020 (PDF), “American Indian and Alaska Native Alone” (their category) make up 6.2% of the Montana population. In a tight race, that’s a lot of votes. And the rest of us are (or should be) pissed off as well.”

NEW YORK MAGAZINE: Montana GOP Candidate Said Native Americans Are ‘Drunk at 8 A.M.

“His campaign did not respond to requests for comment, though Native Americans living in Montana have called Sheehy’s use of the racist stereotypes a “slap in the face.””

MISSOULIAN: ‘You insult us’: Tribal leaders demand Sheehy apologize for ‘offensive’ comments

“You come into our homes, and you ask for our votes and then you go to your fundraiser … and you insult us with a stereotype that only seeks to severely diminish and dishonor our people.” The Crown people are not your punchline,” Kirk continued. “Native Americans are not your punchline.”

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