There was a lot to write about today, so I’ve put it all in one column called “Political Potpourri.”

Today I write about Steve Daines making the filthy rich list, Republicans waiting on Daines, Boehner in Bigfork (for Daines), Tester turns 57 and is fundraising, birthers for Ted Cruz, and Scalia talks second amendment in Bozeman.

There’s a lot more so read on…Steve Daines is Filthy Rich:

Politically, it’s not good news for Montana’s only Congressman, Steve Daines. He made “The Hill’s 50 Wealthiest” list the first year he has been eligible coming in at #41 “with at least $9.2 million.”

This means Daines is not like you and me. Does that make you sad?

Montana’s U.S. Senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, did not make the list. That means Daines will be picking up the tab next time they meet for lunch…

Waiting on Daines:

Roll Call is reporting “Republicans Wait on Daines’ Decision in Montana Senate Race” to decide which race they should enter.

Several Republicans I have spoken with (who still speak to me) are quietly wishing Daines would hurry up and make a decision so others can get on with their campaigns or their lives. One person said, “What is there to think about – Daines is running for U.S. Senate – it’s a no-brainer. So just announce it!”

Boehner in Bigfork:

The Kalispell Daily Interlake is reporting, “Speaker of the U.S. House John Boehner is visiting Bigfork today to attend a fundraiser on behalf of Montana’s lone U.S. representative, Steve Daines, a fellow Republican.”

It looks like $1000 will get you in and $5,200 will get you a spot at the table for a roundtable discussion. Missoulian newspaper columnist George Ochenski writes that it’s a “$15,000-per-participant golfing fundraiser.”

If you did not get invited to this prestigious event, welcome to the club.

As Pink Floyd sings, “Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.”

Birthday Fundraising:

Wednesday is U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s birthday. He will be 57. Happy Birthday!

How do I know this? His campaign has sent at least two fundraising e-mails from family members saying things like “In order to stay on track in 2013, Team Tester needs to raise about $5,000 in August. Make a contribution to help Jon hit that goal, and add an extra 57 cents on the end to send Jon your birthday wishes!”

Maybe Steve Daines will send Tester a card with some money in it…

Justice Antonin Scalia:

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia gave a speech in Bozeman (MT) on Monday. It was the place to be if you were a Republican or a member of the media.

Scalia is the longest-serving justice on the court and was nominated by President Ronald Reagan. He was confirmed by the senate 98-0 on September 17, 1986.

Since he was in Montana, he could not escape a question about the second amendment. The AP reported that when he was asked about the right to keep and bear arms, Scalia said:

“What remains to be determined … appears to be the scope of the armament that people can keep and bear,” he said. “Can they bear shoulder-fired rocket launchers?”

I’d like to know that because the armament in my bunker is getting low. I may want to purchase a tank, too.

Here are two stories about his speech, one from the Associated Press and one from Lee Newspapers.

Birthers for Cruz?

Texas Senator Ted Cruz “was born in Canada to a Cuban father and a mother who was a United States citizen” according to the Washington Post.

I think that means it is perfectly fine to play “O Canada” when he takes the stage to give a speech.

In case you don’t know Cruz, he leans very, very, very far to the right which means he is able to see fruitcake land from his kitchen window.

The question many have is whether Cruz is really a natural born citizen or not – you know that little thing that our constitution says you have to be to be the President of the United States.

This could haunt him all the way through his second Presidential term…

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