Welcome to Monday and “Monday Morning Politics!”  I hope all the fathers out there had a great day on Sunday!

In case you’re dropping by for the first time, “Monday Morning Politics” is where I put together several of the political stories from the past weekend all in one place for your reading pleasure.  I also offer some commentary about these stories sometimes laced with just a little snarkiness…

Today I write about the Obama outhouse, the June 16 debate, the June 24 debate, a homophobic ad, the Tester Truth Tour, MT GOP & Homosexuality, the Dream Act, SCOTUS Decisions, and much more!

Obama Outhouse:

At first when I heard about an “Obama outhouse” on display at the Montana GOP Convention that was named, “Obama Presidential Library,” I chuckled.  After hearing it had bullet holes in it and negative references about the First Lady, I shook my head in disbelief that the leaders of the Montana GOP would allow it to be displayed.

I think it is pretty disgraceful that Chairman of the Montana GOP Will Deschamps, Congressman and current U.S. Senate candidate Denny Rehberg, Governor Candidate Rick Hill and U.S. House candidate Steve Daines did not come out and condemn the display.  In this situation it would have been more than appropriate to tell the members who brought the outhouse to the convention to remove it.  Now it appears the leaders of the Montana GOP were more worried about losing votes and support than in doing what is right.  Shame on you…

June 16 Debate:

U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Congressman Denny Rehberg, and Libertarian Dan Cox participated in a debate on Saturday.  The differences discussed between Tester and Rehberg were mostly already known so there were not any major surprises.  I heard the questions asked during the debate were pretty boring which falls on the people doing the research for the questions.  They need to make sure there’s a tough question or two and one that is not expected.

The reports from the media covering it were not that great, but after reading about four different views of the debate about the only sparks were when Tester suggested that Rehberg was not a rancher.  Often farmers (like Tester) and ranchers (like Rehberg) don’t see eye-eye on things.  Rehberg should have responded with, “I’ve listened to your ideas in this debate, Jon, and I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no grain in your silo.”

Let’s just hope that if they have another debate that tougher and more unique questions are asked – you can always contact me for ideas.

In closing, I would like to commend the Tester Campaign for their debate responses sent via e-mail during the debate – which was impressive.  As for the Rehberg Campaign – my e-mail is western_word@yahoo.com.

June 24 Debate:

Apparently Congressman Denny Rehberg will not take part in the debate at the Montana Broadcasters Association convention in Whitefish on Sunday June 24.  From what I have heard, Democrat Jon Tester and Libertarian Dan Cox will be there.

Since I am not on the Rehberg campaign’s media list (I am on Tester’s), I don’t know what their reason is for not participating in the debate.  I’d like to know what Rehberg has scheduled that is more important.  I had always thought of Rehberg as willing to debate anyone anytime, so this news came as a surprise.

A Homophobic Ad:

Many folks who follow politics know that President Obama’s campaign manager Jim Messina was once the Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana.

An article in Salon written by David Sirota tells us “Jim Messina’s old boss once denied involvement with a homophobic ad.  A new profile suggests they knew all along” about the 2002 Ad against Republican Mike Taylor.

Candidates are not supposed to coordinate with third-party groups on ads.  If you believe they don’t, there’s some ocean-front property in North Dakota I’d like to sell you…

Tester Truth Tour:

The group, Americans for Prosperity, ran a half-page ad in Sunday’s Great Falls Tribune telling people that the “Tester Truth Tour” is coming to Great Falls on June 19.  A BBQ dinner will be provided!  More information can be found at TesterTruthTour.com.

MT GOP & Homosexuality:

The Great Falls Tribune reported, “The Montana Republican Party on Saturday removed a controversial plank supporting the criminalization of homosexuality from their party platform.”

That’s a good thing, but Obama’s Outhouse is the main topic of discussion from the Montana GOP Convention…

Obama’s Executive Order:

Since Congress could not pass the Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors), President Obama signed an Executive Order which partially puts it in place.  With that, he put the Republicans in a pickle because many of them supported the Dream Act, and Obama also helped his re-election chances.

The Dream Act was first introduced in 2001.  One bill was introduced in the Senate back in 2001 by Senators Dick Durbin (Democrat) and Orrin Hatch (Republican).  You can read about the Act HERE.

The Obama campaign sent an e-mail that stated, “Thanks to our president, this nation’s immigration policy just became more fair and more just.  Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to ensure that young, undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children by their parents, and who have followed the law since then, will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings — and will be allowed to apply for authorization to work in this country.”

Congressman Denny Rehberg issued a press release saying, “President Obama’s plan gives illegal immigrants a free pass and is a slap in the face to America’s law-abiding, hard-working citizens…”

Of course this was a political move – the next election is always on everyone’s mind in Washington…

SCOTUS Decisions:

We are getting really close in seeing how the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on several cases! CNN reports, “The court in the next two weeks will rule separately on health care, Arizona’s controversial immigration crackdown law, television broadcast indecency enforcement, and a federal law making it a crime to lie about earning high military honors.”

We may see the anger in this country go to an all-time high depending on these rulings, but have no fear – I’ll be here to make sense of it….

Follow Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord…