big sky democrats

I would like to speak for the membership of the Big Sky Democrats/Young Democrats of Montana, and join with the state in expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of Cpl. Phillip Baucus, who was killed in the line of duty to his country in the province of Al Anbar over the weekend.

Cpl. Baucus, nephew of Montana's US Senator Max Baucus, was 28 years old, and was married to Katharine Baucus last summer. Senator Baucus' spokesman, Barrett Kaiser, issued a statement that read, in part, "Phillip was an incredible person, a dedicated Marine, a loving son and husband, and a proud Montanan and American. He heroically served the country he loved and he gave it his all. We loved him dearly and we'll miss him more than words can ever express."

Putting the Party Back into Politics

If you haven’t heard, the BSDs are holding yet another trademark Late Night Party – this time in the geographic center of Montana, also known as Lewistown.

Make plans to be in the center of the universe as the Big Sky Democrats kick it late night L-town style at the Mint Bar and Grill, August 5th.

Festivities get under way around 9:15pm at the Mint, which is located in downtown Lewistown at 113 4th Ave South.

Be prepared to share a few drinks with new friends, catch up with old ones, groove to some tunes, and saunter in the buzz of the 2006 Montana Democratic revolution. more

When you have watched Conrad Burns in action for a few years, after a while nothing surprises you. This being said, even I was shocked when someone recently brought the following info to my attention. Recently the government in Iraq floated the idea of granting amnesty to criminals as a type of reconciliation. Some of the more extremist elements in the government even proposed granting amnesty to those who participated in attacks on American troops and even killed our service members. It was against this backdrop that on June 20th, Senator Nelson from Florida proposed amendment 4265 to the Defense Authorization bill.

As Senator Conrad Burns continues to tour the state trying to shore up support from Montana Veterans, many people ask if this is the same Senator who repeatedly has voted against the interests of veterans. The answer is, unfortunately yes. In this last Senate session, Burns voted against a $1.98 billion increase for veteran’s healthcare which would have included $1 billion for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. He voted against increasing the military death gratuity which would have given surviving families of those killed in action a $100,000 death gratuity. The current payment is a paltry $12,240. Burns also voted against an amendment which would have bolstered the pay of federal employees activated by the National Guard or Reserves. Montana has recently had over 1,500 Army Reserve and National Guard troops serving overseas with 44% of the Guard being called to active duty. Even after repeated warnings of budget shortfalls in the VA, on March 16 Burns failed to support an amendment which would have increased veterans’ medical care by $2.8 billion. According to the Disabled American Veterans, Conrad Burns had only a 33% positive voting record in 2005 on veteran’s related issues and a big fat goose egg (0%) in 2004.

Highlighting his values and the issues most important to Montana, Jon Tester rolled out his new ads today. You can check it out for yourself at his WEBSITE. Just click play, and then share the ad with all your e-mail contacts.

"The biographical television ad is a summary not only of Tester’s heritage and background, but the reasons he decided to run for the Montana legislature and eventually, the U.S. Senate; “Honest government. Energy independence. And to stop the waste that passes on debt to our children. Lessons first learned on that fa

Make plans to be in the center of the universe as the Big Sky Democrats kick it late night style at the Montana Democratic Party Platform Convention, August 5th in Lewistown, Montana. The event will take place at The Mint Bar and Grill located at 113 4th Ave South at 9:15pm. Be prepared to share a few drinks with new friends, catch up with old ones and saunter in the buzz of the 2006 Montana Democratic revolution.
Why be there? Lewistown, the last best town in the last best place, is in the geographic center of Montana, an easy drive from anywhere. Come and fish or float Big Spring Creek, check out the Missouri Breaks, meet the year’s slate of candidates and help the MDC create a platform for victory.

The Party is going up with a hard-hitting ad on Burns, reminding Montanans about the Jr Senator's ties to Jack again, but also noting his ties to big oil and $3 per gallon gasoline.

"Casino Jack Abramoff got everything he wanted from Burns, while Montanans get $3 gas," said Jim Farrell, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. "Montanans are tired of loaning out one of their U.S. Senators to a convicted felon."

Meanwhile, Hotline got its hands on a poll showing Tester and Burns are in a dead heat....

10) You found out about Johnny Cash from “Walk the Line”

9) You put in a “man-sized” dip, then promptly throw up

8) You have a “dinner plate” sized belt buckle, that you bought at the GAP

7) You wear cowboy boots...and you're a Senator from Virginia

6) You go to a bar and order a Zima Ditch

5) Your bolo tie doesn’t match your Abercrombie Jeans

4) Your best 8 second ride occurred when you were 14

3) You speak with a “Texas twang” despite going to Andover, Yale, and Harvard

2) You call what you are wearing an outfit

1) You’ve worked in stockyards all your life, except the brief stint working for a guy named Jack

Shot: "We will lower the cost of attending college if (Republicans) are returned to majorities in the next Legislature," Stapleton said. "We've done our homework, we know that we can live within our means and do it."

Chaser:"Which taxes does (Mr. Stapleton) plan to raise?" Schweitzer said. "He should know that I will veto his tax increase. If the Republicans try to raise taxes, I'll veto it."

The whole story.

In case you missed it, the Billings Gazette today comments on Burns’ election year conversion over protecting the Rocky Mtn. Front. The piece makes you want to hurl as Lee-owned opinion page editors fall all over themselves to praise Burns (probably because it’s been so long since they’ve had anything positive to say about him).

But what’s just as (maybe even more) interesting are the little jabs at Dennis Rehberg sprinkled in throughout the piece.

Gazette Editorial:

"Yet Rep. Denny Rehberg this week contended that the Front could be needed to solve America's energy problems and that if there is energy worth developing in the Front that it can be developed in an environmentally responsible manner." more ass-kickin'