I always like it when a newspaper story has a question in the headline just begging for an answer. For example, the Missoula Independent recently did a story about Congressman Denny Rehberg titled, “Can this man be beaten?”
The short answer is “Nope.”
The democrats will have to go back to the drawing board to find a viable opponent to run against Rehberg…next time. I think the current candidate is like the eighth or ninth person mentioned as an opponent, and he was not asked by the party, he just told them he was running.
Of course the Democrats won’t back down this election season even if some of their leaders feel it may be a few years before they can find the “right person” to take on Rehberg. They will try to paint Rehberg as a “lap dog” for President Bush and the Republican Party, although Montana’s two Democratic senators vote party-line over 88% of the time. Rehberg has fought the Bush Administration on several issues like Amtrak funding, water projects funding, funding cuts for mineral leases, and Essential Air Service funding. It appears for Rehberg, Montana does come first.
In the elections, Rehberg has basically steam-rolled over all the candidates the Montana Democrats have put in his way, winning by substantial margins ever since his initial run for the open seat against Nancy Keenan, who he beat by 21,000 votes, according to the story.
One thing for sure is that Rehberg won’t take his next election for granted because of a positive article from a weekly newspaper in a city that is one of most liberal in Montana. He’ll work just as hard to win this race as he did in 2000 against Keenan.
The story correctly portrays Rehberg as a person who genuinely cares about his state and constituents. He is on the road almost every day he’s in the state attending and holding meetings in his congressional district, which is the whole state of Montana. One wonders how Rehberg has the energy to keep up this hectic pace. Montanans like hard workers. They see this in Rehberg, who puts service above self, and they like it enough to send him back to Washington time after time to represent them.
2008 will be no different.
The Western Word 
Hey Bob, Thanks for returning. I hope you accessed the links, because that should have answered your questions. I am sorry if you don’t understand. You said, “So justify Rehberg for supporting the Real ID and you’ve got me.” I did, Bob. I even went further and explained why he AND Max voted for it, and I explained why they changed their minds. By the way, Tester would have voted for it if he had been in the senate. So, is Baucus an idiot for voting for REAL ID like you say Rehberg is? -Jack
Jack, you continue to fail in pointing out how Rehberg is more of a Montanan. The news article that you yourself quote illustrates how out of touch Rehberg is with Montanans. Can we really believe that he didn’t know Montanans would hate The Real ID? Either he’s out of touch or he’s an idiot – maybe both? An out of touch idiot?As anonymous has pointed out, Rehberg has accomplished nothing for Montana through his own legislation.
Hey Anon: No, Max Baucus is one of the most ineffective legislators in Congress. The number of bills he, himself, introduced in congress that became law the last 30 years is less than most freshman or second term senators. Rehberg does a fine job for the state. While Max and Jon take credit for everything, Rehberg actually does some work.
Oh please. He’s one of the most ineffective legislators in Congress.—-Consider what Rehberg’s own staff list as legislation that reflects Montana values: “Time and again,” Rehberg has backed legislation that matters to Montanans, Iverson says. He’s sponsored bills to recognize Billings’ 125th anniversary, push for a water project in Fort Peck, and congratulate Carroll College’s football team for its 2007 league win. Most importantly, supporters say, Rehberg co-sponsored the CLEANUP (Clean, Learn, Abolish, Neutralize, and Undermine Production of Methamphetamines) Act to focus federal authorities on the meth problem. The bill is still in committee. “That’s a major policy accomplishment,” Iverson says.Wow. What an impressive collection of achievements. Resolutions honoring Billings and the Carroll football team? In one session? That must have been exhausting, and must have cost a tremendous amount of political capital.Co-sponsoring a bill? One that hasn’t passed? Only someone as out of touch as Dennis Rehberg is could possibly imagine that co-sponsoring an unpasssed bill is an achievement.In a sense, it’s a perfect metaphor for who Rehberg is. Born into wealth and political connections, he takes credit for having “achieved” both, and cannot understand the reality of people who have truly struggled.Isn’t it time for Montana to elect a Representative who thinks real achievement will be protecting the middle class, helping family farms, ensuring adequate wages, and protecting our environment, rather than boasting about having done nothing?—http://intelligentdiscontent.com/2008/04/03/the-missoulians-embarrassing-rehberg-story/
Bob,You can see why Rehberg voted for REAL ID in his press release through this link:http://www.house.gov/list/press/mt00_rehberg/050505_IDAct.htmlIt passed the House by 100 votes, so many folks thought it was the right thing at that time as did the senate, where it passed 99-0, I believe. Rehberg said in a news article: “Denny Rehberg, originally supported the Real ID Act, but is now against it. Rehberg has said he thought it was what most Montanans wanted, but supports the opposition of the Montana Legislature and Gov. Brian Schweitzer.” Here’s that link:http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/mtregional/news09.txtSo it appears to me that Max Baucus AND Denny Rehberg listened when the state legislature said they were against it and changed their minds as they should have. -Jack
Illustrating that a Rep. you support is a “true Montanan” by pointing out the flaws of a Senator avoids the point drastically. In my critique of what you wrote I never mentioned Max or used him to illustrate what a real Montanan looks like.So justify Rehberg for supporting the Real ID and you’ve got me.
Now Bob, it works both ways buddy. Max Baucus voted for REAL ID. It’s a fact. He changed his mind when the state spoke out against it. Ol’ Max seldom visits the state because for over 11 years, he did not own a home here, but a big million dollar one in D.C. Rehberg owns no home in D.C. Rehberg’s not perfect, but he’s way above the two senators we have.Thanks for visiting! -Jack
“It appears for Rehberg, Montana does come first.” Yup, that’s why he supported The Real ID Act until he got wind that Montanan’s hate it – he’s really in touch.That’s why, while Montana was on fire this past summer and Schweitzer was on the frontlines, Rehberg was off drinkin’ wine in France.That’s my kind of Montanan!