On Tuesday, the Montana Democratic Party sent an e-mail from their chairman and several state legislators praising U.S. Senator Max Baucus for his work on the healthcare bill.

Less than 24 hours later, Baucus sent out his own e-mail (from his campaign account) with the same praises from whom he called “Leading Montana Democrats.”  Offering praise were the current Democratic Party chairman and some state legislators.  Baucus also got some love from Montana’s junior Senator, Jon Tester, in his e-mail.

But some “Leading Montana Democrats” were missing from the “praise-a-thon.”

Quite noticeably missing was Montana’s Governor, the powerful Brian Schweitzer.  Additionally, the former Democratic Party chairman and current U.S. House candidate, Dennis McDonald was missing.  Plus, no other state-wide elected Democrats were quoted in the e-mails offering praise to Baucus.

This is the latest example of the Democratic Party being widely split on the healthcare issue, both nationally and here in Montana.  The split may cause the Democrats to lose a record number of seats in the 2010 election; that is if they don’t hurry up and ram the bill through Congress and hope that the independent voters forget about it before November 2010.

As the numerous healthcare bills are debated in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House in the coming weeks, it’s time to get some popcorn and a cold drink, take a seat in your favorite chair, and enjoy the show.  We may just see a national political party implode.