Compromise or divide and conquer…
The Montana Legislature’s special session begins today in Helena. The media is reporting that it looks like a deal has been reached between the Governor and about 11 moderate Republicans on a plan.
One newspaper had the headline, “Compromise could keep session short” this morning.
Included in the word “Compromise” is the word, “Promise.” Politics run on compromises. But, “promises” are even more of a part of the political process – promises to support this or promises not to do that are normal.
If this compromise works as the media seems to believe it will, then this is a major political victory for the Schweitzer administration and a loss for the Republicans who have suffered several political losses this legislative session.

We cannot stand with you much longer…
Several moderate Republican members of the U.S. House met with President Bush on Tuesday, basically saying they are going to bail on his plans for Iraq unless something positive happens very soon. In other words, “Mr. President, if you keep this course in Iraq, there won’t be 100 Republican House members left after the next election.”
The truth is that there are not too many members of the House or Senate who would sacrifice their political futures for a President who is in his last 18 months of office with an approval rating of 28%.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair to step down June 27…
He said in his speech today;
“And then came the utterly unanticipated and dramatic September 11, 2001 and the death of 3,000 or more on the streets of New York and I decided we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our oldest ally and I did so out of belief.”
“And so Afghanistan and then Iraq, the latter bitterly controversial, and removing Saddam and his sons from power, as with removing the Taliban was over with relative ease, but the blowback since from global terrorism and those elements that support it has been fierce and unrelenting and costly and for many it simply isn’t and can’t be worth it.”
“For me I think we must see it through. They, the terrorists who threaten us here and round the world, will never give up if we give up. It is a test of will and of belief and we can’t fail it.”

Schilling apologizes…
On his blog, Curt Schilling apologized for his remarks about Barry Bonds saying, “I apologize to Barry, Barry’s family, Barry’s friends and the Giants organization, my teammates and the Red Sox organization as well as anyone else that may have been offended by the comments I made.”
That’s a decent thing to do, Mr. Schilling, very decent.