The one thing I was worried about with the departure of U.S. Senator Max Baucus from Washington has been solved.

It was not the void in leadership, or the lack of clout on committees that mean little to Montana. It was not the chance that the word “powerful” would cease being used by almost every Montana reporter, either.

Nope, it was none of those things! It was about who would, who could, who should carry on the tradition of hosting “Montana Coffees” Wednesdays in Washington, D.C.

“Montana Coffees” were also affectionately known as a “free meal” by staffers working for the Montana delegation because donuts were served.

Congressman Steve Daines and U.S. Senator Jon Tester are now staking their claims to “Montana Coffee” which was a tradition started by Baucus several years ago.

It started with a battle of press releases and, make no mistake about it, the battle lines have been drawn.

The first press release, dated February 10, came from Daines inviting Montana’s new senator, John Walsh, to Montana Coffee adding the part that he “reached out to Max and Jon and began the tradition of bipartisan Montana Coffees.” The Daines press release stated:

Representative Steve Daines today invited newly appointed Montana Senator John Walsh to join Daines and Senator Jon Tester at their weekly coffee with Montanans in Washington, D.C.

“Congratulations on your recent appointment to the United States Senate. I look forward to working with you in your new role,” Daines wrote. “Last year, I reached out to Max and Jon and began the tradition of bipartisan Montana Coffees, attended by the entire delegation. Since then, Montanans have enjoyed the opportunity to meet all members of Montana’s Congressional delegation in a casual, politics-free setting. We intend to carry on this bipartisan tradition, and welcome you to join.”

For the past year, Daines has joined Tester and former Senator Max Baucus in meeting with Montanans at a weekly breakfast in Washington, D.C. every Wednesday that the Senate is in session. Baucus began holding the Montana Coffees more than 15 years ago, with both Tester and Daines joining after being elected to serve Montana in the Senate and House, respectively.

Montanans traveling to Washington can find more information on Montana Coffee by visiting Daines’ website at http://www.daines.house.gov or calling his office at (202) 225-3211.

Then on February 11, Tester fired back with a press release about “Montana Coffee” invoking the fact that he is now the “senior member of Montana’s congressional delegation” and that he “is carrying on Baucus’s long-standing custom.” Tester’s press release stated:

Senator Jon Tester, now the senior member of Montana’s congressional delegation, today invited fellow U.S. Senator John Walsh to join him at “Montana Coffee.”

Montana Coffee, a tradition started decades ago by former Senator Max Baucus, occurs every Wednesday morning when the Senate is in session. It gives Montana’s lawmakers the opportunity to greet Montanans visiting Washington, D.C.

Baucus invited Tester to Montana Coffee in 2007 after Tester joined the delegation, and the pair extended an invitation to Congressman Steve Daines last year. With Baucus leaving the Senate after six terms in the Senate, Tester is carrying on Baucus’s long-standing custom.

“Max started ‘Montana Coffee’ to make sure that all Montanans who visit Washington, D.C. can meet with their representatives,” Tester said. “I want to make sure John Walsh gets the same opportunity so he can quickly apply the sound judgment he displayed as Lieutenant Governor and on the battlefield to his new role as Senator. I look forward to welcoming John to ‘Montana Coffee.'”

“Growing up in Montana and serving our state has taught me that Montanans have some of the best ideas for how to move our country forward,” Walsh said. “I appreciate Jon’s invitation and look forward to honoring Max’s legacy by meeting with my fellow Montanans at ‘Montana Coffee.'”

Walsh was sworn in as Montana’s newest Senator today. He will attend Montana Coffee with Tester tomorrow. Montana Coffee is located in Room 512 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

I have a feeling that the three members agreeing on much will end at Montana Coffees because, after all, it is politics.

But I can’t wait to see the photos – like this one!

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