big sky democrats

It's a bit past noon here in sunny Butte, and I am counting the minutes to the third debate between Montana Farmer Jon Tester and Missouri Auctioneer Conrad Burns...the dark side is bussing in people from across the state, but here's what I have to say about that...BRING IT.

 First things first - LOCATION CHANGES

I swear we're not trying to be sneaky, but both the post-debate fundraiser and the Late Night Shimmy for Change event have changed venues.  Tester fundraiser is now at the Finlen Hotel after the original venue lit on fire.

We knew this would happen, but it's nice to see them put it in writing and all.

The Montana GOP e-brief, the go-to newsletter for a good laugh, is not only convincing their unblinking hoard that "the last debate was hijacked by ill-mannered liberal supporters" who "heckled every time Senator Burns spoke, trying to drown out his opportunity to speak to the voters of Montana", but they are herding their sheep in the direction of Butte-Silver Bow for the upcoming Debate on Saturday.

The Rs are telling their people to get there "no later than 5:00 p.m."

Where: Mother Lode Theatre; 316 W. Park Street

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When: Debate begins officially at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 23rd.

IMPORTANT: I arrived at the Hamilton debate 25 minutes before it was scheduled to begin, and I was one of the last people allowed through the door. This one will be even more packed. GET TO THE THEATRE AT 5:00 P.M. OR SOONER TO SUPPORT JON.

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Who/What: Do you really need to ask? Our favorite (sorry, dad) Montana Farmer will, once again, whoop up on Missouri's favorite auctioneer.

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How: Only with your help.

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Schedule for Saturday in Butte:

The Big Sky Democrats, Montana's go-to group for the preferred Party in Politics, is hosting yet another signature Late Night event following the September 23rd Butte debate between Montana Farmer Jon Tester and Missouri Auctioneer Conrad Burns. The party, held at the historic Metals Banque at the corner of Park and Main, will kick off at 9:00 p.m., give or take. Music, Munchies, and Mayhem are promised.

Saturday's debate, held at the gorgeous Mother Lode Theatre, promises to be a nail-biter. After scewed newspaper reports (not many first-hand, mind you) of the crowd's participation at the Hamilton debate, you can be certain that the dark side will pack the place to the rafters with their plants.

While Sen. Conrad Burns is busy making college more expensive for Montana students and their families, it's great to hear that Jon Tester has a plan to ease the pain of rising tuition and loan payments.

Read the Lee story here

You know you’ve hit rock bottom when you hire Erik Iverson to head your campaign.

It looks like Erik, known here as Rep. Dennis Rehberg’s Mini Me, wasted no time in taking his trademark self promotion skills over to Burns’ shop. He – not Conrad – held a conference call with Montana reporters to announce his new position as senior advisor to the campaign. It was a classic Mini Me move; a “Lyon King” announcement that he’s the anointed savior of the Burns operation.

AP reports that Burns' campaign manager, Tom Bunnell[in the oven], will retain his title but report to Iverson. (Tough break, dude. I know this campaign has been a tough row from the beginning, but getting trumped by Mini Me has to hurt.) more

Well Mr. Mackowiak, don't say that we didn't warn you. But this last month has been especially harsh. Not only do you have to worry about your boss attacking public servants but now it seems that he can't even give Montana Producers the time of day. Oh, but it only gets worse.

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.