I've spent a great deal of time up in Montana the past couple of years. First, I went up with Jerome Armstrong to do research for our book Crashing the Gate. We met with Schweitzer, with then-candidate Jon Tester, and lots of cool local activists then working to turn Montana blue. We even experience a moment of a lifetime when -- having to get from Big Sandy in eastern Montana to Whitefish in western Montana -- we flew a chartered single-prop plane, through Glacier National Park.

We loved it so much, we went back again to work on the book (catching Pearl Jam's fundraiser concert for Tester while we were there).

I got to spend a fair amount of time with the governor as part of our research. There are two stories that stand out.

The Montana State House is a relic from a bygone era -- it sports little security. Really, nothing more than two bored looking cops at a desk in the center of the main floor rotunda. They didn't even look up as we walked in. We followed someone's instructions to the governor's office, where you could just walk in. Schweitzer tells the story of the tourists he once caught in his office eating lunch at his conference table. They had a great conversation until the tourists asked Schweitzer what he did for a living. A funny story, but not one of the ones I'm telling today.

In any case, the receptionist checked with Schweitzer and announced we could go into the office. I walked in, and on his computer monitor on his desk, was Daily Kos. Smiling, I pointed to the monitor and laughed, "nice touch". He laughed right back, "Yeah, I thought so." It was at that point that I realized that here was a guy who loved political showmanship, but also didn't take himself too seriously. Yeah, putting up my site was a bit of bullshit theater, but he didn't pretend otherwise. I found that quite charming and we both got a good laugh out of it.

The second is a story he tells about his dog Jag (which he seems to pronounce "Jake") -- once determined to be the most popular "politician" in Montana by a polling outfit. Jag has the run of the state house, and has become the official state mascot. He is beloved. At a Republican fundraiser, a "stuffed jag" was auctioned off, leading to days of outrage when the news leaked.

In any case, Schweitzer tells of being on the campaign trail, when looking for food after a long day, they entered a bar with neon signs at the windows. Schweitzer ordered his eats, while the waitstaff played with Jag. Finally, a waitress asked if they could give Jag something to eat, and getting a "yes", brought him out some filet mignon. Jag obviously lapped it up -- and Schweitzer tells this part of the story by enthusiastically licking his chops. From that day on, they couldn't pass any food establishment with neon signs on the window without Jag sitting hopefully by the door. That behavior was eventually cured when, finally entering one such establishment one day, Jag was served hamburger meat. Poor Jag, suddenly a prima dona, sniffed dejectedly at what was offered and refused to eat it.

Now in real life, I'm sure Jag (being a dog) lapped up whatever crap meat was given to him, but then that story wouldn't be as fun, and if there's an overriding principle to Schweitzer's personality, it's the desire to have fun, politics included. If that means mythifying his wildly popular dog for a good story, then so be it.

One more story. This was back in 2005, as the governor and Republicans in the legislature wrangled over the budget. One day, Schweiter called in some Republicans to his office, and they arrived thinking negotiations were in order. But when they got there, Schweitzer launched into a tirade and threatened the Republicans with a vigorous Democratic effort to capture the seats. Then, as a coup de grace, he slammed his fist on the table and opened it up, leaving several bullets on the table.

The Republicans rushed out to the steps of the capitol and held a press conference about how deranged and unhinged Schweitzer was. This, being Montana, that whining led to this reaction from the local press:

GOP legislators mewled like girlie-men this week over the arm-twisting some of them have gotten from Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer. They say the governor is threatening and harassing freshman Republican legislators to get them to support some of his legislative proposals.

They make it sound like Montana's brawny new governor is serving up knuckle sandwiches in the foyer. That might qualify as harassment, even here in the Wild West. But, as it turns out, all they're whining about is that the Democrat threatens to campaign against Republicans when they run for re-election if they don't support his proposals.

They call that harassment? They're pathetic!

Oh, no! It's worse: He's inviting them into his office to harp at them. What's next? Maybe he'll wave a press release at them! [...]

We don't like one of Schweitzer's legislative proposals any better than some Republicans do [...] But we certainly have more respect for Schweitzer and his willingness to push for something he believes in than we do for Republican legislators who whimper about intimidation rather than standing up for what they believe in.

I've never found a press account confirming the "bullets" part, and for all I know it's more myth-making. Stories in Montana are so crazy, sometimes I think it's the land of the tall tale. But I've had people swear they saw it happen, so perhaps I'm just being cynical. But for me, it doesn't really matter, because that last sentence quoted above made me swoon. Remember, we've built this site in large part bitching about whimpering Democrats afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Yet in Montana we had, thanks to Schweitzer, the exact opposite happening. It's no accident that Democrats are suddenly winning in Montana, and that Obama is neck and neck with McCain in the state.

One last thing: How many politicians speak Arabic (not quite fluent, admits Schweitzer, but conversational-level) or are trained scientists (soil science)? He comes off as folksy, but there's substance behind the showmanship.

And how many politicians feature a campaign ad with the candidate scraping shit off his shoe?

Nationwide there are 2.1 million American Indians of voting age. Native Americans make up only one percent of the total U.S. electorate.

Historically, American Indians have had very low rates of voter registration and turnout. On some American Indian reservations in the western United States as few as 10 percent of all eligible voters are registered.

But in several states the American Indian vote, if mobilized by the Obama campaign, could give a good boost to Obama's efforts to carry the state.

• The biggest target is New Mexico. There are 60,000 registered American Indian voters in the state of New Mexico, making up 9.5 percent of all voters. More than two thirds of those American Indians are registered as Democrats. Only 15 percent are registered Republicans.

Schweitzer is McCain's populist nightmare.

If McCain picks Mittens, who spent $100 million of his own money to run for President, then the repugs go down in flames as the party of the elite.

Everything will continue to be framed perfectly as working people versus the elite running on the heels of the 7 houses gaffe.

In my first dairy a couple of days ago I failed to clearly articulate two vital points about the impending VP selection by Obama. In two or three  paragraphs I will try distilling in a nutshell that the current media obsession on Biden, Kaine, Byah and others are just head fakes by the Obama campaign to throw people off.
Next, his choice will likely be unorthodox and strategically designed to expand the Democratic Party. My initial theory was that Kerry could provide Obama with that political pathways to victory. But, I should have included Brian Schweitzer, the Montana Governor who could end up as Obama's ace card.
I think that July 4 parade in Montana by Obama and his family was essentially an opportunity by the two families to get to know each other.

Sorry for another VP diary, and a short one at that, but this might be big news:

In what will be his fifth visit to Montana as a presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama will make a campaign stop Tuesday in Billings.

Obama and his campaign will then spend the night in Billings before moving on toward the Democratic Nation-al Convention in Denver. Obama's campaign has not yet announced the visit, but the trip was confirmed by several sources with knowledge of the candidate's plans.

Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for president Thursday night at Invesco Field in Denver. He plans to announce his running mate in the next few days and campaign with him or her beginning Saturday in Illinois.

The party announced Wednesday night that Art Noonan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, will hold a press conference today to make a "major announcement on the presidential campaign here in Montana." The press conference is at 10:30 a.m. at 316 Eighth St. in Helena.

Obama returning to Billings

It has become a constant theme in McCain’s speeches.  Taxes are not too low; spending is too high.  If we just eliminate “pork barrel spending” we can cut taxes and balance the budget – “no pain, all gain.”  Republicans have long loved claiming that the budget can be balanced without any sacrifice on the part of anyone.  In order to make his point, McCain has taken to constantly referring to 3 million dollars spent to study the DNA of bears in Montana as an example of government waste.  So what are the facts about this study?

Cross-posted at Docudharma.

Glacier National Park, The Crown of the Continent, was established in 1910.  Located in northwest Montana, it adjoins Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada.  The eastern side of the park borders the Blackfeet Nation.  The Blackfeet named the region Backbone of the World.  They sold the land to the US govt. in 1896 for mining purposes but they retained the rights to gather plant foods and medicines and to fish & hunt the animals.  Fortunately, no gold or silver were found so the ecosystem remained fairly pristine over time.  It is still sacred Indian land.

Mountain Goats on Hidden Lake Trail    

Photos were taken with a Canon PowerShot S80 (point & shoot) and have been edited and Photoshopped to adjust the light, sharpness, and color quality.  Click images for a larger version.

Yeah, I'm asking to be shown PHYSICALLY, where are the leases located that have ALREADY been handed out that the oil and gas companies haven't bothered to begin drilling to illustrate the point that Drill Here! Drill Now! is a slogan attached to a land grab and not (in potential or practice) a panacea to bring down the price at the pump:

Nationally, only about a quarter of federal leased lands are being tapped for crude or natural gas.

Thom Hartmann sugggested on his show Thursday that it would be great political theater to illustrate in video a smattering of the lands RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW that are already open and leased and ready to be drilled.

He suggested compiling videos from across the country, people standing on land which is ALREADY leased and open for exploration who ask, 'if it's so important that US land and offshore areas be opened for exploration to oil and gas companies, why is it that they aren't using this land which is already leased and ready to explore for drilling?'

This is an ongoing series from the national tour for THE UPRISING. You can order The Uprising at Amazon.com or through your local independent bookstore.

HELENA, MT - This is the last stop - and therefore the last post - on my 2+ month book tour, and it ends where my book begins: in Montana. That's appropriate - this region has been a populist bellweather for both the Right and Left for most of American history.

The Montana Republican party is saying "every man for himself" in the wake of a new poll showing the strength of Brian Schweitzer's popularity and 'the Democratic brand'.

According to State Republican Chairman Erik Iverson:

"Part of the message is you can't let the Democrats nationalize the race or even make it a statewide referendum. We're telling each candidate their race needs to be localized and not them versus Brian Schweitzer or them versus the national Democratic Party.

"The reality of the situation is the Republican brand nationwide isn't very strong right now. I don't want them losing because they let their opponents make the race about George Bush or the Iraq war or any other national or state race."

more...

A man that knows energy, food, & water, has an international background and folksy foreground - while still managing to be both whip smart and non-elitist.  What more could be asked for of an Obama VP?  How about..

..a science degree in the White House (agronomy & soil/water science)
..has promoted coal & wind for years to break oil bonds
..highest approval ratings of any guv (western state Montana at that)
..53 years young but not a pup (the picture of understated competency)
..speaks Arabic (and lived in the Middle East)

Me oh my...Brian Schweitzer is good.  Could Schweitzer be the greatest insight of Nate 538.

A little video review of this VP potential is in order
Energy policy speech
Brokaw interview on Hardball

The following is an excerpt from Red State Rebels: Tales of Grassroots Resistance in the Heartland just released by AK Press edited by Jeffrey St. Clair and myself. This is one of the essays I contributed. Find out more information about the book online at www.RedStateRebels.org.

You may have heard, "truth is stranger than fiction," and indeed, that often seems the case.  While that strange truth is usually just entertaining and innocuous, there are times when it is exactly the opposite... stupefying, shocking, even threatening.

Mimicking Ripley is not the intent here, though.  It is simply to point you to a variety of recent articles, some of which just bring a smile, some that give pause for thought, and some that deal with very serious issues.  Not surprisingly, many involve government and elected officials at various levels.

Aside from the trivial 'fun' articles, many are important but have been beneath the radar for whatever reason.  They need greater exposure, for they have implications which scream for attention.

The entries here do not comprehensively quote their referenced sources, except for maybe a one or two line teaser that might pique your interest, and, of course a link, along with maybe short comment. Better that you follow the links and look in the horse's mouth yourself:)   Hope you enjoy.

The  Bush Administration's final rush to loot and pillage as much of America's national heritage as it can before leaving office is proceeding full steam ahead. On the heals of its plans to lift the ban on offshore drilling and its refusal to abide by the Supreme Court ruling on EPA's responsibility to regulate greenhouse gases comes this.

From today's Washington Post:

The Bush administration is preparing to ease the way for the nation's largest private landowner to convert hundreds of thousands of acres of mountain forestland to residential subdivisions.

Not because of anything I have done except exist, I am fortunate to live on the east shore of Flathead Lake.  Someday, probably all too soon, I will inherit the house and 3 acres where I currently reside.

Being a bit frugal, I buy cheap bacon from the meat dept at a local store and make my own bacon bits.   And as whole slices the bacon is every bit as good as the name brand stuff, at one-third the cost.  Today I cooked up a one pound package I had purchased a few days ago.

Since the cast iron skillet was already the right temperature, I decided to make a 3 egg cheese and bacon bits omelet.  Then I went out on the deck overlooking the lake to eat.

Karl Rove:

Mr. Obama may be overreaching by running ads in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Nebraska, Montana, Alaska and North Dakota – states Republicans won by comfortable margins in recent years. It would require a shift of between one-sixth and over one-quarter of the vote to win any of them. Shifts that large rarely happen.

Big shifts do occur – witness West Virginia in 2000, which swung more than 20 points between 1996 (when Bill Clinton carried the state) and 2000 (when George W. Bush did) – but these require sharp contrasts on big issues, not just money. Money may be the mother's milk of politics, in Jesse Unruh's famous phrase, but when running for president, money alone can't buy a candidate love. Cash matters, but being a good candidate and right on the issues matters even more.

Hey Karl, meet your "big shift":

Rasmussen. 7/1. Likely voters. MoE 4.5% (4/6 results)

There still aren't enough polls in Montana to generate a Pollster.com composite score, but it's tight. Montana is a changing state, and with a popular Democratic governor who will romp to re-election, a state legislative body that has been adding Democrats, and two Democratic senators, including one who will also romp to reelection this year, this isn't the crimson Red state of Karl Rove's dreams. Perhaps that's why Obama will actually spend 4th of July in the state.

Butte, MT: THE OBAMA FAMILY ATTENDS FREEDOM FEST INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE IN BUTTE

Reason's Dave Weigel speculates as to why Montana is suddenly in play:

Montana's libertarian streak makes it, I think, rocky territory for McCain. This is a state that elected a Democratic senator in 2006 who told voters "I want to repeal the PATRIOT Act." This is a state whose governor gave Homeland Security Michael Chertoff a rhetorical kick in the teeth when he opted out of REAL ID. This is, finally, a state whose Republicans gave Ron Paul a quarter of their primary and caucus votes, and where the balance of power in the state House is held by the Constitution Party. Voila: Another state falls off the Republican map, and McCain will have to scramble and spend money to save it.

And there you have Rove's "sharp contrasts on big issues". Few issues are bigger than freedom, and Democrats are (mostly, when not cowering from fear and capitulating) on the right side of the issue of "freedom".

I was in Montana in May and there were Obama offices everywhere and I was impressed.

Even some of the smallest little towns sometimes had Obama offices (even if it was someone's house serving as a makeshift headquarters).

Is Montana really in play? Yes, I think so.

And the latest Rasmussen Poll is an eye-opener.

Obama 48% McCain 43%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/...

I never thought I would see the day.

Barack Obama is leading John McCain by five percentage points in Montana. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows Obama attracting 48% of the vote while McCain earns 43%.

Welcome Red State Converts!!  Welcome to the Democratic party!!!