YES!!!  Today is the first Monday in June and Tuesday is Primary Election Day here in Montana – so don’t forget to vote!  There are many great candidates on both Republican and Democratic ballots – but Montana voters can only vote on one ballot in the primary election.  This is something that needs to be changed – so we can actually have the best people facing off in November.

To all those candidates who placed their names on the ballot in an attempt to make a difference, thank you!

Today I write about illegal donations, Bullock on Maddow, Schweitzer in the New York Times, frontrunner blues and deli, Rehberg Air, unknown U.S. House candidates, filthy rich, poll results, and much more!Illegal Donations:

The big news that hit on Friday was that the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices ruled that Montana GOP Governor Candidate Ken Miller “has been funding his campaign with illegal donations that included anonymous, corporate and excess contributions.”  You can read the Associated Press story HERE.

Later Friday afternoon, the Miller campaign responded saying, “The timing of this and other recent Commissioner of Political Practice findings should come as no surprise as the Political Practices Commissioner’s office continues to be a political tool attempting to damage a surging Miller for Governor campaign just four days before the primary election.”

Every decision that comes out of the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices office can be perceived as “political.”  Until they change the office to actually work as a non-partisan referee in the political world, that is all Montanans are going to get.  The office is broken. 

Frontrunner Blues:

Former Congressman Rick Hill is considered the frontrunner in the Montana GOP Governor’s primary race, so it’s no surprise that he taking hits from some of the other candidates.

One of the other candidates, Corey Stapleton, is running a campaign ad saying that Hill has a lot of baggage and that he received a “sweetheart deal” in regards to office space leased from him by the state government.  The Associated Press checked into it and you can read their story HERE.

The AP also did another story about the Montana Governor’s race that you can read HERE.  Lee Newspapers published a story on the Montana Governor’s race in today’s paper.  Read it HERE.

If Hill ends up winning this primary, will he be too damaged to beat Democrat Steve Bullock in November?  There’s a nice roadmap already drawn on Hill for the Democrats to follow that starts many years ago at the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge.  There’s a sales tax issue.  There’s his wife working for the Martz Administration.  Then there’s Hill being named the “second most-difficult boss among members of the U.S. House and Senate.” 

I think the issue that will do the most harm to Rick Hill is his “I don’t eat deli” stance.  Seriously, one also has to wonder why Hill wants to put his family through this mess.  He will be 66 in December.

Lynch on Market Watch:

The Jim Lynch for Montana Governor Campaign was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch.  The Lynch Press release, “Republican Candidate for Montana’s Next Governor, Jim Lynch, Pledges to Return State Surplus to Taxpayers” can be viewed HERE.

I like returning the surplus to taxpayers…

Bullock on Maddow:

Montana Attorney General and Democratic candidate for Governor Steve Bullock was interviewed on the Rachel Maddow show Friday night regarding corporate contributions to state political candidates.  You can watch the interview HERE.

Although Friday night is not a night that many folks watch a cable news station, Bullock’s team did manage to get him some coverage from the Montana media – so all is well…

Schweitzer in New York Times:

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer gave his opinion in the New York Times about corporate money in elections.  Read it HERE.

Schweitzer is probably starting to feel lonely since he cannot run for Governor again…

Rehberg Air:

The Montanans for Tester campaign launched a new website called “Rehberg Air” where they say “Dennis Rehberg has Taken 13 Luxury Trips Funded by Special Interests” and they add, “Life is good for a career politician with powerful friends — but if you’re a Montanan who doesn’t have lobbyists and special interests eager to send you on 13 luxury trips, you are probably out of luck.”

Check out the website HERE.

I wonder what the Rehberg campaign will hit back with to counter this website…

TWW Polls:

Here are the results from a couple of polls that were posted on The Western Word (TWW) Friday and Saturday.

Who are you voting for in the Republican Primary for U.S. Senator?

Denny Rehberg – 63%

Dennis Teske – 28%

None – 9%

Who are you voting for in the Republican Primary for U.S. Representative?

Steve Daines – 64%

Vincent Melkus – 18%

None – 14%

Eric Brosten – 5%

Thanks to all who participated!  This was not a scientific poll.  I will be posting a new one-day poll later this morning – so check back later!

U.S. House Primary:

Lee Newspapers did a story about the little known Democratic U.S. House candidates and about the GOP U.S. House primary.  You can read that story HERE.

I wrote about the name recognition problem many of the House candidates have starting back in February.  They still have that problem today.  It’s too late.  

$250 Million:

I’ve said many times that Mitt Romney is filthy rich.  He still is.  According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, Romney is worth up to $250 million and it has not changed much since September.

So I guess Romney is doing just fine with the Obama Administration running things.  I do have a hard time imagining Mitt Romney understanding how hard it is for regular Americans to make ends meet in today’s economy.

 

Have some fun – follow Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord