Zinke’s Teddy Roosevelt Persona? A total PR Schtick.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 19, 2022

CONTACT
press@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT – In one of his rare public appearances lately, Ryan Zinke told a reporter in Hamilton that he’s “a big Teddy Roosevelt believer,” a line that will sound familiar to those who have followed his scandal-plagued career. At his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of the Interior, Ryan Zinke name-dropped the former president and public-land champion at least half a dozen times. 

The irony is not lost on many: Ryan Zinke is no Teddy Roosevelt. In fact, Roosevelt would likely be disgusted by Zinke, and his illegal attempts to roll back and undermine the century-old Antiquities Act, one of Roosevelt’s signature legislative legacies that led to the creation of beloved national parks like Yellowstone. Even Teddy Roosevelt’s great-grandson wrote a public letter saying Zinke had failed to live up to his ancestor’s legacy. 

However, among the many revelations made public by the numerous Freedom of Information Act requests filed over Zinke’s corrupt tenure at Interior is an interesting detail: Zinke’s “Teddy Roosevelt” persona is itself a “clear and concise brand” created by his press secretary and long-time political flack. In fact, the Zinke staffer bragged about how successful her branding creation was in selling the false branding identity to “the energy sector, sportsmen’s groups, natural resources trade associations, and traditionally left-leaning conservation organizations alike.”

From the looks of it, it’s not been convincing: 

“There is, quite literally, nothing genuine about Ryan Zinke,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “His whole persona is a poorly-crafted, PR-rehearsed, walking conflict of interest.”  

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