Conservatives who think they are electing reliable standard bearers for the cause of liberty and limited government, often can’t figure out why they end up voting so badly. The truth is, Republican primary voters – impressed by tough-guy images and men in medal-adorned uniforms – have never been very good fruit inspectors. Time and again, they find themselves attracted to the professionally-polished image and later asking, “How did that happen?” How did our ruggedly handsome hero become such a wormy apple once in office?

In Montana’s critically important U.S. Senate Republican primary, which determines who will face off against vulnerable Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, things are heating up, following the entry of tax-enriched mogul Timothy Sheehy into the race. Sheehy is the hand-picked golden boy of the state GOP’s Daines-Zinke moderate wing. Himself a Montana transplant, Sheehy is a decorated Navy SEAL and super-rich federal contractor: the perfectly engineered candidate to challenge Jon Tester – or so the Washington, D.C., GOP establishment believes. Yet when it comes to conservative Republican credentials, Sheehy’s no Red Delicious apple. He’s more of a cross between a striped Wealthy and a Yellow Transparent, and the worm holes are all too evident.

We’ll take a look at some of these worms, but first let’s answer this overriding question: On what key factors should GOP voters base their evaluation of Montana’s primary candidates, all of whom will claim to be – and sound like – principled, constitutional, small-government conservatives? Two things: history and integrity.

History may be summed up in the familiar axiom “actions speak louder than words.” Judge a candidate not by what he says about himself, but what he has actually done for the conservative cause before deciding to run. What is his actual political and public policy-related record? Joe Candidate can “say” anything he wants, and the more money he has, the more he can say it. But does he have a proven track record of conservative involvement? What has he read? What has he written? What candidates or causes has he backed? Has he been a conservative activist? If not, why not?

A candidate’s integrity, character and moral conscience can be established by looking at both the past and the present, but are especially evident in the way a candidate runs his campaign. As FEE founder Leonard Read once observed, “A man rises no higher in office than he stood while getting there.” A candidate who compromises his honestly and integrity just once will become a congressman who does so a thousand times, whenever the chips are down. Whenever he’s truly tested. Those kinds of “Republicans,” once in office, become more ambitious, more cynical, more prideful and more compromising with each passing day – morphing into the problem, not the solution. They are the “how did that happen” types, the counterfeit conservatives who will never buck the establishment nor make a real difference in a corrupt and broken system. They become quite comfortable members in good standing of the Republican Club, and that all but assures that they will never be change agents, only agents for the status quo.

Certainly, Tim Sheehy’s handlers have groomed him well, and he is quick with the popular one-liners on the hot-button GOP issues. But his history paints a shocking and frightening picture of a man who is not only devoid of conservative activism, but who has embraced radical leftist causes and gobbled up corporate welfare on his way to great wealth at taxpayer expense. No philosophical conservative would do this. Examples:

1. His Bridger Aerospace company promoted itself to the far-left woke community as a “fundamentally-driven ESG business,” thus securing a $160 million ESG industrial development bond – one of the largest ESG-accredited “sustainability” bonds ever. After becoming a candidate, Sheehy then scrubbed all ESG references from his website. Yet even now, Sheehy continues to be heavily invested in certain climate alarmism-based enterprises, such as the sustainability service Cloverly, a firm that helps companies monitor their planet-threatening carbon (CO2) output.

2. Until Sheehy announced for the Senate, his company also boldly represented itself as “fighting on the front lines of climate change” and as attacking “CO2 emissions to combat climate change.” This, too, has disappeared from his Bridger website. As late as August of 2022, Sheehy was still urging “international cooperation” in fighting climate change, and described Bridger’s “fundamental business principles of environmental and social sustainability” and the ability “to effectively combat today’s changing climate.” Now candidate Sheehy is stating on Fox News that “the cleanest form of energy known to man is American fossil fuels.”

3. While earning $5 million a year in salary and bonuses from a company, 96% of whose revenues are derived from government contracts, Sheehy aggressively fattened his bank account further through direct taxpayer subsidies. Most recently, this included a $774,300 “forgivable federal loan” (read: subsidy) for “payroll protection,” and a $221,000 federal SBA subsidy from taxpayers to cover the customary business expense of training his employees. Imagine a man with a probable net worth of over $200 million having a clear conscience while plundering the average taxpayer with socialistic schemes that simply enhance his bottom line.

4. In his TV spots, Sheehy strikes quite the pose, donning his cowboy hat while planting himself in the saddle of a sturdy quarter horse. With his political donations, Sheehy likes to describe himself as “rancher” or “cowboy.” Yet no serious rancher would have somehow “forgotten” to register his livestock with the Department of Revenue as state law requires. Still, after four years of ownership, Sheehy has yet to report as much as one skinny chicken. His estimated unpaid tax bill in now is the tens of thousands.

One can only guess how much is yet to be uncovered about his self-aggrandizing business practices. Critics have already latched on to his Montana state tax avoidance by incorporating on the East Coast and his recent merger with Jack Creek Investment, a “blank check” corporation operating out of the Cayman Islands, a tax haven for the wealthy. No one alleges that these business decisions are illegal, but for a candidate who would likely enter the Senate as the wealthiest member of Congress, there is something distinctly selfish and unseemly about his entrepreneurial philosophy – something that is sure to stick in the craw of the average Montana voter. Other legitimate questions are also beginning to surface. People want to know, for example, where in the world all the millions of dollars came from that allowed Sheehy to establish Bridger Aerospace in the very same month he left active duty with the Navy. It certainly wasn’t from saving dimes and nickels from his officer’s salary.

Sheehy appears to be the perfect Play-Doh in the hands of the big business, country club establishment – faux Republicans who value money, prestige and power over courage, conviction and principle. Men whose goal is control, not freedom. What Montanans – enamored by his handsome “warrior” TV image – appear to be missing is the amount of baggage Sheehy would tote into a general election contest with Jon Tester. Those who still think Sheehy would be the “more effective” candidate to defeat the far-left Tester had better think twice. The Democrats will have a field day exposing his private breaches of the public trust.

Combined with this are the many reports of Sheehy’s below-the-belt campaign tactics, said to be among the most reprehensible in recent Montana memory. With the alleged assistance of highly placed Republican officeholders (it’s not hard to fill in the blanks), a scorched earth blitz is now underway, which aims at legislators, donors and vendors, a variety of intimidating messages and veiled threats of retaliation. The real target is Montana’s recognized conservative North Star and liberty leader: Rep. Matt Rosendale. These muggings of Rosendale supporters may indeed speak more loudly than anything, about the decency and honesty of candidate Tim Sheehy.

Rosendale has yet to enter the Senate race, but most observers believe his announcement is imminent. Knowing Matt, I’m sure he remains unphased by all of the low-level assaults against him. Matt will simply rise above them and take the high road into office, like he always does. Let’s not forget that it was Matt Rosendale, together with a mere seven other freedom-minded members, whose unshakable courage turned around the leadership of the entire U.S. House of Representatives, installing a stellar new speaker and with him, the return of an open and transparent appropriations process, with individual spending bills, open debate and full opportunity for amendments. Imagine that? Only principle-driven change agents like Matt Rosendale will accomplish that kind of swamp-draining progress.

No, Matt has no reason to be concerned about the antics – or the money – of Tim Sheehy. At the end of the day, wormy apples have very little value in the political marketplace.

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I’m not ready to endorse him because, transparently, I know very little about him. The research I’ve done so far has been very positive as his mix of vast military experience combined with civilian business successes means he might be an ideal Republican to take down Tester. We’ll see. If he’s as good as I hope he is, I’ll write more about him soon.

Here’s the news about his announcement reported by Redwave Press:

Tim Sheehy, a businessman, firefighting pilot, and former Navy SEAL, has officially launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Montana, aiming to unseat vulnerable incumbent Sen. John Tester, D-Mont., in 2024. Sheehy, a Republican, announced his candidacy exclusively with Fox News Digital, emphasizing the need for “a new generation of leadership” and highlighting his background in military service and business.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sheehy expressed his belief that America is ready for change, citing issues such as inflation, border security, and the national deficit. He emphasized the importance of servant leadership and the ability to deliver results. Sheehy stated that many Americans feel underrepresented and disillusioned with a government that they perceive as not working for them, which motivated his decision to enter the race.

Sheehy’s campaign is anticipated to be one of the closely watched races in the 2024 cycle, with potential implications for the Republican Party’s quest for a Senate majority. However, Sheehy stressed the importance of unity, stating that in times of adversity, there is only one political party that matters—the American party.

Before entering politics, Sheehy served in various regions, including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and the Pacific, earning accolades such as the Bronze Star with Valor for Heroism in Combat and the Purple Heart Medal. In addition to his military service, Sheehy is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses. He is also a family man, sharing four children with his wife, Carmen Sheehy, a Marine veteran.

Reflecting on his journey, Sheehy discussed his military service and how it led to the establishment of his own company. After being wounded, he started Bridger Aerospace, a veteran-founded Montana-based company specializing in building aerial firefighting aircraft. Sheehy highlighted the significance of job creation and his commitment to contributing to the country by fighting wildfires and producing critical protective gear for troops.

Sheehy acknowledged the low participation rates of veterans in Congress and stressed the need for combat veterans and individuals with a strong sense of service to reinvigorate the government and address its shortcomings. Drawing upon his experience as CEO of Bridger Aerospace, Sheehy highlighted the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder forest management and wildfire suppression efforts. He advocated for locally-driven, common-sense land management policies that prioritize community governance and business principles.

Aside from Bridger Aerospace, Sheehy has played a role in the growth of Ascent Vision Technologies and owns the Little Belt Cattle Company, a local beef production company. He emphasized his commitment to creating high-paying jobs within Montana, with a focus on building a robust state economy.

Sheehy commented on the evolving political landscape in Montana, noting the increasing number of Republicans being elected in the state. He argued that it was not a result of Montana becoming more conservative but rather the Democratic Party moving away from the state’s cultural values. Sheehy characterized Montanans as socially conservative, hardworking individuals who value accountability and productivity.

Regarding his opponent, Jon Tester, Sheehy criticized the Democratic Party’s vision of a larger government and accused Tester of being aligned with that agenda. Sheehy claimed that Tester’s alignment with the Democratic Party’s ideology would make it difficult for him to distance himself from their policies during the campaign.

When asked about other potential Republican contenders, Sheehy stated that he would have to wait and see who joins the race. As of now, no other Republican candidates have officially entered the Senate primary, although there are rumors that Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., is seriously considering a bid.

Highlighting his dedication to serving all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, Sheehy emphasized his sacrifices for the country and his desire to bring common-sense solutions to the nation’s challenges. He acknowledged former President Donald Trump’s potential impact on the Montana Senate primary, noting that while he had a positive conversation with Trump, he wasn’t sure about the former president’s involvement in the race.

In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, Sheehy characterized Tester as someone who does not represent Montana values and called for a new generation of leadership to rebuild America. He outlined his vision for the future, opposing inflation, open borders, prioritizing criminals over law enforcement, drug-related violence in communities, and the influence of a woke culture in schools and military bases.

In his highly anticipated Senate announcement, Sheehy criticized Tester’s long tenure in office and accused him of talking one way but voting differently. Sheehy argued that career politicians like Tester have failed to represent Montana values and that it is time for a new generation of leadership to rebuild the country.

According to user Dolly Moore:

Ok, so here’s what I just caught I few minutes ago out my window. I saw a jet go by so fast and then explosion in the sky. Holy crap! Billings MT.

Ok, so here’s what I just caught I few minutes ago out my window. I saw a jet go by so fast and then explosion in the sky. Holy crap! Billings MT. pic.twitter.com/swr8ERC6pf

— Dolly Mills-Moore (@MMtTreasures) February 4, 2023

A Chinese spy balloon has been the main topic of discussion all day. It is believed the balloon is currently over Illinois or Missouri, but reports of at least one other balloon in Canada have come in over the last few hours. Whether any of this is related to the explosion in Montana is unclear, but something is happening.

Bozeman, Montana, a couple hours ago. Looks like the state's readiness protocols have been activated in the wake of the Chinese spy balloon. pic.twitter.com/nA3lAH2NTw

— Timothy Alberino (@TimothyAlberino) February 3, 2023

This is a breaking story and will be updated with more information.

Burns said that Xi’s order to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military may not represent his timeline for the CCP’s invasion of Taiwan, but it demonstrates his “seriousness” in pursuing this goal.

“Our assessment at CIA is that I wouldn’t underestimate President Xi’s ambitions with regard to Taiwan,” Burns said at an event at Georgetown University in Washington.

Burns said he believes that Xi was likely “unsettled” by the Russian military’s performance in the Ukraine war and that he likely tried to evaluate the effectiveness of Russia’s weapons systems in Ukraine for his ambition toward Taiwan.

The CIA chief also warned against underestimating the motivation behind the China-Russia “no limits partnership” declared last year.

“I think it’s a mistake to underestimate the mutual commitment to that partnership, but it’s not a friendship totally without limits,” Burns noted.

China has refrained from condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, citing Russia’s “legitimate concerns on security issues” as justification. In February 2022, the two nations declared a “no limits” partnership.

According to their joint statement, Russia said it recognized Taiwan as “an inalienable part of China” and rejected Taiwan’s independence “in any form,” while the CCP backed Russia’s opposition to the enlargement of NATO.

Taiwan’s Independence

Taiwan has been a self-governing democracy since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949. Still, the CCP regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be united with mainland China by any means necessary.

Chinese incursions into Taiwan have occurred almost daily as the CCP has increased military pressure on the self-ruled island. Taiwan’s military detected 23 Chinese aircraft and four vessels on Feb. 2, with 17 of the aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait’s median line.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Jan. 18 that China is “more likely” to make a move against Taiwan in 2027 as he believed that Xi might see aggression against Taiwan as a way to leave a legacy from his third term in office.

“In 2027, Xi Jinping is likely to go into his fourth term. And if in his previous three terms, he cannot claim any achievement during his office, he might need to think about something else for him to claim as his achievement or his legacy,” Wu said in an interview with Sky News.

Suspected CCP Spy Balloon

Burns said that China represents the “biggest geopolitical challenge” to the United States, and that global competition with the CCP could be “more intense” than it was with the Soviet Union.

“Competition with China is unique in its scale, and that it really, you know, unfolds over just about every domain, not just military, and ideological, but economic, technological, everything from cyberspace, to space itself as well,” he said.

Separately, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on Thursday that it had been monitoring a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that had been hovering over the continental United States.

The balloon was detected over Montana on Wednesday. Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. authorities “acted immediately” to protect against the collection of sensitive information, but he did not elaborate.

A senior defense official said the U.S. government has communicated with the CCP regime about the issue “with urgency.” It also appears that this is not the first time such a balloon has been seen above the United States.

“Currently, we assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collective collection perspective,” the official said, according to the DOD. “But we are taking steps, nevertheless, to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information.”

The U.S. authorities decided not to shoot down the balloon and instead allowed it to keep floating over the country following recommendations from defense officials.

“We did assess that it was large enough to cause damage from the debris field if we downed it over an area,” the official said. “I can’t really go into the dimension—but there have been reports of pilots seeing this thing, even though it’s pretty high up in the sky. So … it’s sizable.”

Reuters contributed to this report. Article cross-posted from The Epoch Times.

Alternative Video Sources:

CIA Chief Warns of China’s ‘Serious’ Intent to Invade Taiwan by 2027 https://t.co/SJ6q5mOfeb

— JD Rucker (@JDRucker) February 3, 2023