It’s mostly the reaction we get in exchange for presents. It lasts only a few moments, but somehow it’s worth spending hours looking online, in catalogues and on store racks for that perfect gift. Some of those on our lists are easier to shop for than others. My nephews, for example, will lose their minds […]

Montana Republicans, who will enjoy large majorities in both chambers at the state Capitol this upcoming session, plan on bypassing Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s veto pen by referring some divisive measures directly to voters in 2012. Let’s hope by then the state requires the Voter Information Pamphlet, which is used to explain each referendum, to […]

In a relatively sleepy vote, the Flathead County Commission approved updates to the Lakeside neighborhood plan last week. Yes, that plan; the three-year effort that provoked lawsuits, a third-party investigation and perhaps cost former Planning Director Jeff Harris his job. But when the decision came on Dec. 1, it was almost as if accusations of […]

On Nov. 18, Montana Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg sent a letter to the state’s Democratic U.S. senators urging them to “heed the will of Montanans” and join the GOP in swearing off earmarks for three years. Less than a week later, Sen. Max Baucus responded in writing, describing the move as a “political stunt.” It’s […]

Gov. Brian Schweitzer released his state budget last week, and during its public unveiling he preempted many Republican ideas and chided them for others he didn’t agree with. The performance left one GOP lawmaker complaining that the governor had already “started waging war between the legislative and executive branches.” If a political “war” is coming […]

Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg held a conference call with reporters last week in what was billed as an opportunity to discuss priorities in the upcoming lame-duck session. The Republican, who trounced his Democratic opponent Dennis McDonald with more than 60 percent of the vote, mostly stuck to three main issues: budgets, taxes and wolves. Meanwhile, […]

From town halls to debates, from PACs to advertisements, voters were schooled by another brutal election season. Here’s some of what we learned: That midterms are, apparently, immune to economic downturns when the electorate is this polarized. A week before the election, outside spending had already topped $264 million, more than that spent during the […]

Our state recently unveiled a new economic development website aimed at attracting businesses. It’s called “Innovate Montana,” and the accompanying commercials are impressive. There’s just one problem, according to the state GOP, almost every one features Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “You’ve got to admire a shameless self-promoter like that,” Sen. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, told Lee Newspapers. […]

If there is ever a time when you should really fear the tax man in Montana, it’s now. Especially if you do business here but live elsewhere, are a pharmaceutical company, online booking agency, oil lease trader or your last name is Blixseth. The rate at which the Montana Department of Revenue is raking in […]

America is a place of convenience. It’s where, if we so choose, we can have our groceries delivered to our doorstep and purchase clothes and home furnishings from the convenience of a laptop. It’s where people sell electric abdomen stimulators, those belts that allegedly turn your belly into a six-pack while you watch television (although […]

Entering Lake County quickly reveals, based on the signage, which election is most important. While small campaign signs dot the landscape supporting potential state lawmakers, those are overshadowed by the 4-by-8 foot behemoths supporting one of the three candidates for sheriff. When I covered the cops and courts beat about seven years ago in Gallatin […]

Following the 2008 election, I visited a Pachyderm meeting at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. Despite winning a coveted seat for county commission and a solid showing in local legislatives races, there was reason for concern among Republicans. They were still standing in the wake of what was then determined to be a national […]

Outside of Montana, it has become increasingly common for political candidates to ignore the press and snub editorial boards. And more of them are finding out that there are fewer consequences for instituting a media blackout and “talking directly to the people.” White House correspondent Peter A. Brown wrote a recent column for the Wall […]

We have almost unlimited access to information yet, politically speaking, much of it is meaningless. Voters still know little about their elected officials’ views – especially on the federal level. Meanwhile, candidates have mastered the art of sidestepping questions and dithering on demand. It is perhaps easier for them. Providing “yes” or “no” answers can […]

Despite living in a country that is perhaps more connected than ever before, there are still gross misconceptions about Montana and the rural Mountain West in general. And part of the difficulty in overcoming them is that mainstream pop culture continues to present absurd stereotypes to an impressionable audience of consumers. Last week, a producer […]