After staying up late to watch the “rockets’ red glare” and then hearing the “bombs bursting in air” well past midnight, my mind (and the fingers) are a little slow this morning. Today (July 5) would make a great holiday since the major part of the fourth of July happens after dark.

I hope you were able to see a parade, attend some events, and be with your family and friends this holiday.

I saw a few local politicians in a parade I attended in Great Falls (MT), but I did not notice any statewide candidates in the parade. Hey candidates – there’s only one more Independence Day until Election Day 2012!

Several stories in the political world caught my attention over the extended weekend, so please read on…

A Different Look at the GOP Convention:

Although this was published a few days ago, I did not see it until this last weekend. Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar did some reporting for the Laurel Outlook from the GOP Convention that was recently held in Butte.

Molnar takes a look at the convention from a different angle and singles out the breakfast that was sponsored by a law firm, a mining firm, and a PR firm in support of Rick Hill saying “They paid the cash. They owned the time. These are the self-appointed king makers in the Republican Party and they support Rick Hill.”

It’s like a cartel, Brad, a cartel. You’re either with them or against them. That’s party politics.

You can read the whole report from Molnar HERE.

Montana’s U.S. Senate Race:

The Associated Press completed their token 800+ word story about the race between Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Denny Rehberg for the weekend readers. Of course, an AP story about politics would not be complete without comments from a political scientist to give readers the icing on the cake. Rest assured – this story has that icing!

I found myself yawning while reading the story, but folks outside of Montana who are interested in politics, may have found it interesting. If you’ve read my columns, then you’ve heard it all. If not, you can read the AP story HERE.

Montana Department of Military Affairs:

A story hit the wires over the weekend that should cost somebody his/her job, but the big question is will it? The Associated Press reports:

The Montana Department of Military Affairs does a poor job of managing the federal money it receives and couldn’t even accurately report the number of active contracts it had with vendors, according to a pair of new audits.

For those readers not acquainted with their mission:

The Department of Military Affairs oversees all activities of the Army and Air National Guard, Disaster and Emergency Services Division, and provides administrative support to the Veterans Affairs Division, which is administratively attached to the department. The department is administered by the Adjutant General and his staff, as provided for in section 2-15-1202, MCA.

That is a pretty big mission…and one in which the federal dollars need to be spent wisely and closely monitored.

Vice President in Helena:

Vice President Joe Biden attended the wedding of U.S. Senator Max Baucus on Saturday – he just stopped over in Helena, parked Air Force Two, and sauntered on up to the Sieben Ranch for the big event.

The Helena Independent Record reported, “Baucus is reportedly a good friend of Biden’s.”

Ya think?

Have a great week! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord.