Wow. 1000. This is the 1000th post on this blog. Thanks to all the readers who have faithfully followed The Western Word (TWW) since I started it in January 2005. TWW is one of the longest-running blogs around. Have no fear, just like Charlie Rangel said yesterday, “I’m not going away” TWW is not going away either. So thanks for reading!  Now, on to today’s column:

August is the time when members of Congress come home to meet face to face with constituents, hold meetings (if they are not afraid to face the public), and do some stunts to get some publicity. Publicity showing members of Congress as an average Joe or Jane is an important ingredient to connect with the voters, hoping the voter will say “hey, he/she is just like me.”

With members of Congress making $174,000 per year, they are not exactly like you and me. They also have failed to balance their Federal checkbook for several years, so they are not like you and me in that regards, either.

The August recess (now extending into mid-September for the U.S. Senate) is also a time for fundraisers as I mentioned in previous columns.

Max Baucus is a master of stunts to get attention. He occasionally plans “work days” with some Montana business masquerading as an employee. Baucus’ press team invites the media to come out to watch Max work. They do a story, Max gets some publicity, and the stunt is accomplished.

Recently Baucus worked in the road construction business. Max “operated” a grader, a roller and a paver. You can read the story HERE. There’s even a photo. The “stunt” for publicity was accomplished by Baucus and his team flawlessly.

Jon Tester is following in Max’s footsteps, except he has a home and farm in Montana where he can find plenty to do. Tester has the stunt down to a science in only his third year in the senate. People may remember that when he was elected, Tester said the day to day operation of the farm would be done by his family.

But, if you need some positive publicity (and all Democrats really do need some these days) why not invite the media to come out to the family farm (throw in the information that it’s been in the family for generations) and watch a U.S. Senator/organic farmer do some work?

Tester is a little different than Baucus as he has planned a “work week” to harvest his organic wheat and peas…before heading out to the fundraisers and maybe some meetings.

Besides the local media biting on the stunt, maybe the New York Times will pick up the story and say “it is good to know at least one senator is still firmly earthbound.”

Sure it is.

Mission accomplished by Baucus and Tester. Now it’s on to the fundraising.