MT Political Practices: Perception

In case you missed the news yesterday, Montana Governor Steve Bullock picked a lawyer from Helena, Jonathan Motl, to be the state’s next political practices commissioner.

Lee Newspapers reported:

Motl has donated $6,800 to Montana political campaigns since 1992, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Discounting contributions to ballot issue campaigns and nonpartisan judicial races, Motl has given slightly more than $5,000 in partisan statewide and legislative races, all to Democrats. That includes $790 to Bullock in his races for attorney general and governor.

So the Governor of Montana (a Democrat) appointed someone to that office who donated money to his campaign and to other Democrats. This person will (hopefully) abide by the “Mission Statement” for the Office of Political Practices:

To monitor and to enforce, in a fair and impartial manner, campaign practices and campaign finance disclosure, lobbying disclosure, business interest disclosure of statewide and state district candidates, elected state officials, and state department directors, ethical standards of conduct for legislators, public officers, and state employees, and to investigate legitimate complaints that arise concerning any of the foregoing.

Wonderful. It’s OK to shake your head. I am. Continue reading

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We have met the enemy…

Friday was not a good day for Montana Republicans.

If you heard a sound coming from the legislature on Friday it was not a belch from legislators who had eaten and drank too much lobbyist steak and alcohol the night before. No, that sound was the Montana Republicans in the legislature imploding. This implosion will leave a mark all the way through the 2014 election.

First, the Great Falls Tribune published an article on Friday that should make Republicans in all corners of the state shake their heads. A new website was launched “Llew Jones for Montana” and it was not started or owned by state Senator Llew Jones. Jones is a somewhat moderate Republican.

The Tribune found out that “Jake Eaton, a GOP political consultant with the group 47° North Communications, registered the domain and created the website.” Eaton, a Republican, bought the domain “to defeat Jones in a 2014 primary.”

Great googly moogly! What the…

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Military/Veterans Potpourri

Happy Tuesday! As a veteran I always enjoy writing about military and veterans issues! Today I write about the Montana Legislature and HB 49, Congressman Daines hires military/veterans staffers, the Montana GOP, Chuck Hagel, and much more!

House Bill (HB) 49:

Sometimes the Montana Legislature does something good, and when they do I like to write about it (I like to write about the stupid things, too).  A bill (HB 49) which is “An Act Exempting Military Pension or Retirement Income and Survivor Benefits from State Income Taxation” is making its way through the legislative process. The bill was introduced by Representative Pat Ingraham (R).

You can read the bill HERE.

What troubles me is the number of votes against the bill. In the House Taxation Committee it passed 12-8. On second reading it passed 57-43. If my tabulation is correct, 36 Democrats and seven Republicans voted against the bill (and against military retirees and military survivors).

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Caught My Eye…

Welcome to the last Friday of February! Get ready – next Friday is “Sequestration Day 2013.” I wonder if the House and the Senate are taking it off…

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, the “Caught My Eye” column is where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week – and I often throw in some sarcasm just to make you smile. So get ready to head into your weekend armed with knowledge and a smile.

Today I write about Sequestration, A Facebook Photo, Brian Schweitzer, Identical Letters, Live Every Moment, and much more!

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Monday Morning Politics

Welcome to Monday and Monday Morning Politics! To those of you getting a day off because of Veterans Day, enjoy it. My flag was flown yesterday and it is flying today! Thank you fellow Veterans!

Today in Monday Morning Politics I take a look at Yellowstone County, a Tribune question, examining the Tester and Bullock wins, the Superintendent of Public Instruction race, Seeking a silver lining, Canceling the parade, Directions, Best Polls/Worst Polls, the Mormon vote, SNL and Romney, and a Thank you! There’s more so read on…

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Campaign 2012: Flyers in My Mailbox 5 & Analysis

In the past few weeks I’ve written about how much campaign literature I’ve received in the mail and how it is probably helping the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

I posted a slideshow of some of the literature and since these columns were widely read, and I’ve got round five ready to go, but first let me give you a look at what I received throughout Campaign 2012:

-Total pieces of campaign literature received – 135 

-The statewide candidate about whom I received the most negative campaign literature was Democrat gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock – 16

-The statewide candidate about whom I received the second most negative campaign literature was Republican U.S. Senate candidate Denny Rehberg – 14

-The statewide candidate about whom I received the most positive campaign literature was Democrat U.S. Senator Jon Tester – 8

Note – These were pieces of literature with just the candidate’s name and not listed with other candidates.

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve scanned a few of the flyers that got my attention. Note: Just because I use a flyer does not mean that I agree with the information.

Enjoy the show!

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Monday Morning Politics

Monday Morning Politics is brought to you by the number 1 today – there is just 1 day left until General Election Day! Whoop, whoop…

On Tuesday night (or early Wednesday morning) several people will have their hearts broken and several people will be extremely happy. You can bet on Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll hear stories about voter intimidation or voter fraud and voting machines messing up.

Montana Republicans might have one of their “video trackers” keep track of Governor Brian Schweitzer Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, so he can’t bully or intimidate voters like some folks feel he did in 2006…

Overall, the best thing you can do Tuesday night is follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord! I will be tweeting the latest information from Montana and around the country.

Today in Monday Morning Politics I take a look at Rehberg resting, Senate polls, Rand Paul, TWW Polls, a Tax Loophole, the Romney Video, and much more!

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Caught My Eye…

Congratulations on making it to Friday! The big news is we are now just four days from Election Day 2012. Can you believe this is the last weekend before the big election? Are you ready for it all to end?

By Monday evening the major campaigns will have their internal (rolling) poll numbers in, and they will probably have a good idea if their Tuesday night will be filled with happiness or sadness.

To prepare for the evening, you should follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord for all the updates!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, the “Caught My Eye” column is posted every Friday morning right here! It’s where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week – and I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile. So, get ready to head into your weekend armed with knowledge and a smile.

Today I write about the Montana Governor’s poll, unemployment numbers, the Montana Statesman, American Tradition Partnership, U.S. Senate political ads, the boat crash video, Ronald Reagan, Twitter battles, plus I crack open my political inbox and share! There’s a lot more, so read on… Continue reading

Thursday Numbers

Thanks for stopping by The Western Word to read “Thursday Numbers.” If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes laced with just a little sarcasm.

DISCLAIMER: If you read this column you will probably gain knowledge not found on other websites! You may be able to use this information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers. The information might even be life changing – so consider yourself warned…

This week I write about debate viewers, no-limit donations, salaries, unemployment, Binders Full Of Women Likes, McJordan barbecue sauce, Newsweek, birthdays, the Corette power plant explained, an increase in violent crimes, sexy Halloween costumes, and much more!

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Monday Morning Politics

Welcome to Monday and Monday Morning Politics!  Happy Columbus Day, too!

Monday Morning Politics is brought to you by number 29 today – there are just 29 days until General Election Day (Nov. 6) and this week absentee ballots are being mailed here in Montana. Oh my…

Today I take a look at debate Monday, Firefighters, an Avalanche of Articles, the Monument Issue, a Personal View, and The Message. There’s more so read on…

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