big sky democrats

To see Sen. Burns catching up on some much-needed shut eye during a U.S. Senate Agriculture field hearing in Great Falls this afternoon, click here.

By now you've all this story by Mike Dennison on three of our candidates for the Montana legislature, and the Big Sky Democrats' organization.

From the looks of the comments section, the aged conservatives in Billings are none too happy about young progressives who are well educated, on track to victory, and unstoppable.

It's the "Most Commented On" story of today's Gazette, and a link from the front page takes you right there. This is a site that gets huge traffic, and you can be certain that for each comment, another 150 or so read them.

Kudos to everyone present this year at the Montana Democratic Party Platform Convention! Big Sky Dems were present in full force to continue working on issues important to us all - and have a little fun afterward. Once again, The BSD After Party was the place to be Saturday night. A special THANKS from BSD's to Beau, our Rural Coordinator, and the fine folks at the Mint Bar in Lewistown, MT. Your hospitality was appreciated!

From the Papers: "Recruiting and promoting youthful candidates within the Democratic Party also hasn’t happened by accident.

Big Sky Democrats, a young Democrats’ group formed in early 2005, has raised money for candidates, helped organize “get out the vote” efforts — and knows how to throw a good party.

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....