As is getting to be the norm on Fridays, here are a few things that caught my eye this week that I did not have time to comment about:　

Kagan is in:

Elena Kagan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate yesterday with a vote of 63-37. Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester voted for Kagan. Five Republicans (Collins, Graham, Gregg, Lugar, and Snowe) voted for Kagan, too.

Back in May, I wrote that this nomination was not too exciting. If the GOP is so concerned about “liberal justices” on the Supreme Court, then they need to work a little harder at getting their candidate in the White House and controlling the U.S. Senate.

One must also wonder why pro-gun groups, like the NRA, opposed Kagan and still give their endorsements to senators who support her. For example, Sen. Tester claims to be pro-gun, but he voted for Kagan and against the NRA. We’ll see how the NRA spins this when Tester tries to get their endorsement for his election in 2012.

Finally, with the Supreme Court tilting only slightly to the right, if a conservative justice retires and Obama is still the President; the anti-gun folks will have a chance to pass gun bans.

Michelle in Spain:

OK, taking a vacation is fine, but what First Lady Michelle Obama is doing is ridiculous. The cost for the travel and security to taxpayers for her trip to Spain is outrageous. Someone did not think about this plan very much. Or maybe, Michelle does not really care what the American people think. Maybe a trip to the Gulf Coast would have been nice, Michelle.

Where to Find Montana Democrats: Continue reading →