OK. We talked about the ten most influential people of the 21st century. Let's try for the ten most influential Montanans of the last year (or 2 or 3). Here's my list:
1. Brian Schweitzer
2. Will Descamps
3. Max Baucus
4. John Tester
5. Waded Cruzado
6. Denis Rheberg
7. Donald Molloy
8. George Dennison
9. Bob Lake
10. Canis Lupus
Looking at this or any list you have to understand the huge impact of government in our lives and on the Montana economy.
#1 It makes sense that the Gov tops our list. His impact is felt on all the major aspects of our life and work: the state budget, K-12 education and higher education, tourism, agriculture, etc. Schweitzer named a new Regent and two new University Presidents were hired. Make no mistake about it, the Gov has a huge say in who they are a big say in what state govt money goes where.
#2. Will Descamps is the State Republican Party leader. In a year when they had a huge landslide at the polls, he has to get a lot of the credit. Much of that comes from recruiting candidates well before the election. Admittedly it was a national trend that rolled over Montana, but the state GOP was poised to take advantage and it did in a big way. We'll feel the influence of the 2011-13 legislature for a long time.
#3. Max is one of the most powerful Senators in Washington and that is always felt at home. If the Gov controls the flow of state money in MT, Max controls the flow of the federal money in MT and MT gets a lot relative to other states. He has a big say in nominees for federal jobs in Montana (US Marshall, etc.) and his impact on Montanans through PPACA (Obamacare) and ARRA (The Stimulus) was huge. The big question buzzing around is:Will we see Schweitzer vs Baucus in 2014? I bet not.
#4. Jon Tester is all over LiTW and the Newspapers over his Wilderness Bill that, of course, met the same fate as wilderness bills over the last thirty years. I know there was stink over his DREAM vote, but beyond most of us liberals, nobody in MT gives a damn about that. Look for a Rheberg-Tester matchup for 2012.
#5. Waded Cruzado is the new President of Montana State University. She has hit the ground running and, since Montana University System campuses are economic engines for most major population centers in the state she has a big impact. Cruzado's energy is palpable. She has already begun a major reorganization of the MSU branch of the university system. Look for much more before she leaves for greener pastures.
#6. How could we not include Denny? He also gets some credit for leading the GOP sweep in MT and for stirring up the "Great Wolf Debate" (which really isn't great at all). Denny also has some impact in WDC, but not much. He's most infamous for being one of the least effective legislators under the dome, except when it comes to building his personal fortune though is position. He still manages to win by a landslide. Go figger.
#7. Donald Molloy, as our Federal District judge has a huge impact with rulings on Canis Lupus and other key MT economic and environmental issues. He also made the headlines by moving to senior status. Of course Max will have a big say on who Obama names to replace him.
#8. George Dennison retired after a very influential career and essentially picked his own replacement. The infamous $65K "search that never was" made national headlines. His impact on the other side of the U-system (UM vs MSU or Griz-Cat) has been big and his exit was no exception. What will come from the new Prez (Engstrom)? Two months isn't enough time to tell.
#9. Bob Lake? You might ask.... yes, because the state senator, owned by the real estate industry, was the behind the scenes operator who engineered and shepherded CI-105 through the electoral process. It stands as a hallmark to special interest politics and it's one of the biggest ruses that has ever been pulled over the eyes of Montana voters. The cynical notion of using millions in out of state funding to eliminate a tax that doesn't exist most certainly sets a precedent to be followed in the future.
#10. Canis lupus, the grey wolf, has been illegitimately splattered all over our state newspapers and blogs. If there has ever been a bigger non-issue, I don't know what it is. But three of my top 10 influencers are there because or the great grey-boy. So who am I to talk?
Truth be told the grey wolf has little influence on our economy or lifestyle, except to pull in a few more tourists, sell some more pictures and provide government work to some micro-managing wildlife mangers in MT, ID and WY. Grey-boy also serves to get Do-Nothing-Denny reelected.
So there you have my top ten....who shows up on your list?
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