Happy Monday!  Today is the last day (in Montana) for candidates to file for 2012 races so there should be some surprises this afternoon – and I am ready (many folks wish this election season was already over).

This past weekend was quite busy in the political world – and I managed to find a whole bunch of stories to make sure you have the latest information!

In case this is your first time stopping by, this is the column where I take a look at some of the political news from the past weekend and put it in one place for all to see.  I also add my personal commentary!

Today I take a look at a new T-shirt, deadlines, a good idea, helping a lady, Baucus and the military, man of mystery, five candidates, Begala and small towns, the joke is on us, still milking the cow, Jon & Denny, and much more!

5:00 p.m. Today:

Today at 5:00 (Monday) is the “last day for candidates to file declarations for Primary Election” at the Montana Secretary of State’s office.  More Info HERE

Now the fun starts…

Make the Senate look…

Fresh from the Jon Tester for U.S. Senate 2012 store, the “Make the Senate Look Like Montana T-Shirt.”  You can get the 4X size (which I also call the suitcase full of beef size) for $28.  Check it out HERE.

OK, I just have to say that is one ugly t-shirt…and it looks like Tester’s nose is on Glendive…

Help The Lady:

The Great Falls Tribune published a story about Fairfield (Montana) teacher Anke Davis who has been trying to prove that she is a U.S. citizen.  You can read her story HERE.

The Montana Congressional delegation should stop campaigning for a few minutes and contact Ms. Davis and offer their assistance.  This situation could be corrected very quickly if they got off their &*^%$ and got involved.

Jon & Denny:

Lee Newspapers covered the Montana Democrats’ annual Mansfield-Metcalf dinner in Helena on Saturday and you can read about the Senator Jon Tester’s comments about Congressman Denny Rehberg HERE.

Many folks are wondering if either candidate has a clue…and some us believe the best way to settle this contest is with THIS (note the blue/red themes).

Baucus and the Military:

Montana’s senior Senator, Max Baucus, spoke to the Great Falls Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee on Friday.  Anytime Baucus talks about the military, it’s always fun to see how little knowledge Baucus and his staffers have about defense and military issues.  Baucus seems to have a disdain for the military.  Read the story HERE.

The press should have written, “Baucus raised the white flag in surrender” about the F-15s staying in Montana.  He said, “I think the 15s are gone, I think that’s a battle we fought valiantly — we didn’t prevail.”

The F-15s are still in Montana – and since there may be problems with the 144th Fighter Wing in California, now would be a good time to fight to keep the planes in Montana.

He was also quoted saying, “Montana’s airspace is a national treasure” in regards bringing more planes to Montana, but he failed to say he’s been against opening up the Powder River Training Complex in southeastern Montana for more air training.

Any day now, I expect we’ll see Central Montana Defense Alliance chairman David Weissman write another letter of thanks to Senator Baucus for all his hard work for Montana’s military.

The AP on Neil Livingstone:

I guess the headline, “International man of mystery runs for governor” kind of tells it all.

For my safety and security, all I will say is read the article HERE.

Five:

With Ron Paul filing on March 8, we now have five candidates on the ballot in Montana for President of the United States.  Check them out HERE.

Begala and Small Towns:

Lee Newspapers reported about former Clinton adviser Paul Begala speaking at the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield-Metcalf dinner in Helena Saturday night.

Begala talked about Senator Jon Tester saying, “…both he and Tester grew up in small towns.”  The reporter then wrote that “Begala grew up in Missouri City, Texas, a city now of about 60,000 people on the outskirts of Houston.”

As for the population of Big Sandy, Montana – it’s about 1,030. 

Tea Party/Occupiers:

Ed Kemmick of the Billings Gazette writes about “Tea Partiers, Occupiers have more in common than they know” and offers his views on that and the three members of the Montana Congressional Delegation.  You can read it HERE.

In his closing paragraph Kemmick writes, “I think the joke is on us.”

Three Cups of Tea:

The Associated Press reported, “The Montana Attorney General’s Office says that by the end of the month it will release its investigation into the charity run by “Three Cups of Tea” author and mountaineer Greg Mortenson.”  You can read the story HERE.

IMHO this “investigation” was nothing but a publicity stunt by Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, who is running for Governor…

New Candidates:

The local CBS station (KRTV) reported that Heather Margolis and her running mate Steve Nelsen are running for Montana Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket.  Steve Bullock is the only other announced Democratic candidate for Governor.

KRTV also reported, “If Bullock had been the only Democrat he would have had to return upward of $120,000 in general fund campaign money.  Montana law states campaign limits only apply to one election.”

With Margolis and Nelsen running, they really help Bullock…

Still Milking the Cow:

Great Falls Tribune reporter John S. Adams penned another story about Judge Richard Cebull.  Adams reported, “Embattled Montana Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull last year warned law school graduates about the perils of electronic communication.”

The story is published in the hard copy of the Tribune, but it’s not on the Tribune website.  Adams has a Tribune-associated blog and the story can be found THERE.

A Good Idea:

Rob Stutz, who is one of the Democratic candidates for United States Congress, proposed that each Democratic candidate in the US House race host a candidate forum.  Check out his press release HERE.

That would be a great way to get to know the candidates…

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Follow Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord.