Why would the Montana House republicans elect Scott Sales to the position of Minority leader?  It would seem apparent that they fully expect to lose today's recount in HD58 and instead focused on their preparations to be a very vocal minority in the House. But did they act to soon?  The recount in the Laurel race is not a lock for the democrats, and they is a possibility the GOP may win the seat, giving the GOP a clear majority, a constitutional vote, and a Speaker named Sales.

Should the improbable occur, moderate & mainstream republicans will be sorry they did not fight harder for the position, and clearly should have waited until after the recount.  While either in the minority or majority, the much more conservative leadership of Sales will likely prove costly in the long run.  It would be difficult, but perhaps the only chance this wing of the party has is to be successful is in today's recount.

A win by Kerns will allow Sales to:

Stacking key committees, particularly appropriations.  Imagine a Sinrud led appropriations committee comprised of the  far right of the party and Jore.  Now place vocal critics of other policies (DPHHS, Tax, etc.) in positions of committee chairs. 

There will be a number of very happy republicans if Kerns wins, but I dare say a number of very disappointed republicans when they realize what they have let slip by...