Montana’s News Station did what many folks may call, a “We Love Max” report about the senior Senator called, “Baucus ranked as 6th most powerful senator” according to Congress.org.

There’s the word, “powerful” again. Baucus’ folks have very much succeeded in selling that word to the Montana media anytime Baucus is mentioned. Of course, the AP picked up on the story, too.

While watching the news report, I kept looking for the “Paid for by Friends of Max Baucus 2008” disclaimer, but it never appeared. I would imagine Baucus’ staff have big smiles on their faces, while thinking, “We didn’t even have to buy media time for this great story!”

One thing the “news” report did not mention is that in the earmarks category, Max Baucus ranked #54. He is way down the list for someone that “powerful” and with about 30 years in Washington, D.C. Baucus was slightly ahead of first-term senator, Jon Tester, who ranked #66. Since neither have seats on the Senate Appropriations Committee, they were both were helped by Congressman Denny Rehberg from his position on the House Appropriations Committee. Of course I would be remiss if I did not mention that Sen. Tester should move up in the earmark category when he’s appointed to the Appropriations Committee by Sen. Harry Reid.

One has to wonder, who’s behind these power rankings? Back in 2006, the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) did a story about the Congressional power list called, “And Just What Is Congress.org?”

CJR reported, “Journalists love lists – so much so that this week, most didn’t bother telling readers about the source behind a “power ranking” of Congressional leaders.”

Seems that happened in Montana this year. Here’s a hint about the source: Lobbyists. We know how important that lobbyist money is to some candidates here in Montana.