Rehberg Feels the Pressue, Moves to Support CHIP

by: Matt Singer

Tue Sep 25, 2007 at 10:00:44 AM MST

It's good to know that Rehberg is movable when pressure is applied.

Max and Jon Protect Our Rights, Rehberg Votes Against Montanans' Privacy

by: Matt Singer

Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 08:49:22 AM MST

Max Baucus and Jon Tester were not part of the group that broke in order to support Mr. 28%'s desire to hear our conversations and further weaken our privacy protections.

Dennis Rehberg, on the other hand, took his typical route and rubber stamped the President's desire to increase executive power with no oversight.

Meanwhile, even as the U.S. Congress takes action to increase federal power again, the state's leading libertarian blogger finds the most interesting story -- enforcement of military law against a right-wing gadfly at Daily Kos. Check out the comments to find out why Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org did what he did. It wasn't censorship. It was his obligation to enforce military code. Still, good to know that blogger conventions are more interesting than abuses condoned by the U.S. Congress.

Rehberg Outraises Kennedy...Barely; Kennedy Raises More From Individuals

by: Matt Singer

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 16:13:01 PM MST

Here in Montana, Kennedy almost made the list of the 12. When the dust cleared, he raised $115,000 in his Congressional campaign. Incumbent Dennis Rehberg raised $120,000.

So here's a more interesting number. Rehberg raised $70,000 from individuals, and $50,000 from PACs and the Republican Party.

Kennedy, on the other hand, raised $109,000 from individuals and just the remainder from PACs.

More interesting news:

• While Senate numbers are harder to get, the numbers from the national party committees focused on electing Democrats and Republicans to the Senate show the Dems winning that money chase by more than 2-1, with the Dems raising $17.6m to the GOP's $8.6m over the past three months. The Dems have more than three times as much cash available to spend, once debt is taken into account. Ouch.


• Dem Presidential candidates are stomping when it comes to raising small-dollar donations. Barack Obama raised over $16m (more than the entire Republican field combined). Edwards brought in over $5m. McCain came in third, but he may not even survive the quarter. After that, it's Clinton, with nearly $4m.


• Speaking of Dems fundraising well, by the money primary, there are three tiers. The first tier is just Obama and Clinton. The second tier is Giuliani, Romney, Edwards, and Richardson. The third tier is everyone else.

"Blank Check" Rehberg Signs Over Another One to Bush

by: Matt Singer

Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 11:57:52 AM MST

Still, worth noting: Dennis Rehberg voted against a plan to get our troops out of Iraq. He's also not on the short list of Republicans calling for a new strategy, so I suppose we should presume he's down with the current failed one.

Both Max and Jon are talking regularly about this big issue. Maybe some reporters should try to talk to Dennis about where he stands on the war and what he believes should be done. It seems to be an important issue these days.

Rehberg Votes Against College Cost Reduction Act

by: Matt Singer

Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 15:22:00 PM MST

As I noted when Rehberg's Chief of Staff said he wanted the Republicans to step up outreach to college students, it isn't a communication problem. It's a substance problem.

The Republicans are the party of debt and war.

Update -- We've launched a web form to contact Rep. Rehberg on this issue at Forward Montana. Check it out -- and note that you need to write your own message. The default one is completely blank.

Rehberg Definitely Out of the Senate, Governor's Races

by: Matt Singer

Thu Jul 05, 2007 at 17:09:24 PM MST

So far, this is being reported in North Dakota. Wow.

Anyways -- this doesn't change much. For a while it has been clear that Rehberg decided not to take a shot at the title. He's dispatched his main political guy to try to rebuild the party. He's been moving to the right to keep his base pumped (not trying to win the middle). And no credible report has mentioned him as a candidate for months.

So, we get to keep watching the third tier of potential candidates test the waters. The Republican recruiting pool is shallow indeed. The party itself is focused on legislative races, which is smart. They need a new candidate pool and without either legislative chamber, they'll be unable to have much impact at all on policy. Whether they can show any more maturity next session if they claim a chamber is another question.

Republicans Push Poll Already Up and Running?

by: Matt Singer

Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 10:03:54 AM MST

I just got an email from someone reporting an automated poll testing Rehberg against both Brian and Max -- and the poll was loaded with a bunch of anti-Brian questions. The emailer calls it a "push poll" -- although I'll only agree if it turns out a lot of people report it.

Here's some more info -- caller ID said the call came from "CSS Database" and the number was 703-488-9844.

Anyone hearing anything?

Kudos to Randy Vogel and Rep. Dennis Rehberg for Protecting Constituent Privacy

by: Matt Singer

Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:52:36 PM MST

In other words, Randy Vogel had his integrity attacked because he made an effort to protect the privacy of a Montanan. That's something I support. I write letters to my Senators and Congressman pretty often. I'd like to think that the FBI, IRS, and NSA can't just grab copies of those. In fact, it's that sometimes dedication to privacy that causes me to dislike Rehberg's and Vogel's modern GOP.

But they did the right thing here. And they deserve public thanks for it.

2nd Clear Sign: Rehberg is Out of the Senate Race

by: Matt Singer

Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 08:20:26 AM MST

Erik Iverson, Rehberg's political guy, is running for chair of the Republican Party. When I heard that he was considering such a run back in late '06, I took it as strong evidence that Dennis was not going up against Max and was sincere in his statements that he was looking to rebuild the party.

I'm taking this as definitive news, unless Iverson drops out of this race for chair. So, for now, I'm dropping Rehberg off the list of potential Senate contenders.

Rehberg Likely Running for Re-election

by: Matt Singer

Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 14:45:42 PM MST

What Gets You Excited About '08?

by: Matt Singer

Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:56:43 AM MST

To get to the poll -- click "discuss."

House Dems Pass Iraq Spending Bill with Withdrawal Deadline

by: Matt Singer

Fri Mar 23, 2007 at 11:54:11 AM MST

Anyways, nice job. Now let's see if our friends in the Senate can get it passed there.

Murmurings in the Congressional Race

by: Matt Singer

Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 10:47:01 AM MST

So what's going on with the Congressional race here in Montana? Recently, I've been hearing three names over and over again:

• Bill Kennedy -- Bill is the lone Democratic County Commission in Yellowstone County. I'm hearing that he's definitely throwing his hat into this ring, but there's been no announcement, so take it with the same grain of salt that you take anything in the political rumor mill. That said, Bill brings some strengths to this race. He represents a swing county that is Dennis Rehberg's base. He lost the race for Secretary of State in 2004, but I hear he appreciates the reasons for that defeat and has vowed to not repeat the mistakes. If there are "factions" in the Democratic Party, Bill and I are from different ones. I worked for and supported Jon Ellingson for S.O.S. in 2004. Bill was John Morrison's primary treasurer in 2006, while I supported Jon Tester. All that said, Bill has always struck me as a genuinely nice guy and good human being. With the right kind of campaign, he could be a formidable opponent to a huckster like Rehberg.


• Jim Foley -- A former top aide to both Pat Williams and Max Baucus, Jim Foley has flirted with running for office for years. A recent Roll Call article said rumors were spreading that he was eyeing a race for Congress. Both the DCCC, which works on recruiting for these campaigns, and Jim himself refused to comment. That said, the story wouldn't have mentioned him if someone hadn't placed it and it wouldn't have been placed for no reason. He's probably feeling out the waters. His strength? A huge percentage of members of Congress are former staff people who understand the grueling work it takes to get there. His weakness? He's been based for years in Missoula, so he'll have to deal with the (often exaggerated) implications of being tied to the progressive hotbed of Montana, but he'll do it with few of the benefits. Jim himself is not beloved by the Missoula 'roots. Final Note: I don't have this on any authority, so don't quote me, but I'd guess Jim Foley would not jump into this race until after Rehberg explicitly says he's running for re-election. Jim knows the tougher race Rehberg expects, the more likely he is to jump into the Senate race. Jim is loyal and he wouldn't look to set up a tougher race for his former boss. Again, this is just my gut, so take it with a half a grain of salt.


• Dennis McDonald -- The current chair of the Democratic Party in Montana, Dennis may find his background as a rancher and relative political outsider comes in more useful as a candidate than as a behind-the-scenes manager. Dennis is a founder of R-CALF, has deep connections across rural Montana, and could undermine part of Dennis's base. He'd continue the successful formula that has worked for Montana Democrats -- run a rancher or farmer who is good on gun issues and can be forceful on trade, keep the base unified, and win. What's his biggest weakness? He's never been a candidate, much less a statewide one in a high-profile race. And he doesn't receive the natural political benefit of that, since as chair of a political party, he's relatively easy to paint as a typical insider.

All of these candidates, though, show the potential to be extremely hard-working candidates. That's a good thing.

The same Roll Call article that floated Jim Foley's name had some insiders saying Dennis Rehberg had the potential to rise a lot higher. I think that's overstated. I think Rehberg is tolerated by people who think he does OK work. He's not especially loved or respected by anyone in Montana. A hard-worker who is more likeable could do a lot against him.

Dennis Rehberg Votes to Protect Intimidation of Workers

by: Matt Singer

Thu Mar 01, 2007 at 14:47:48 PM MST

What does the EFCA do? In a nutshell, it allows workers to organize either through the current employer-dominated election process -- a process that has resulted in widespread employer intimidation of workers -- or through "card check" where a majority of workers sign cards stating their preference for a union -- a process that results in far lower levels of worker intimidation.

Currently, card check campaigns are only recognized voluntarily by employers. Election processes are so rife with intimidation and corruption that the first step in most real union organizing these days is fighting simply to get the employer to agree to not intimidate workers. Without that first step, it becomes impossible to organize.

This isn't surprising -- the man who served as George W.'s Deputy Secretary of Labor until very recently actually publicly attacked card check for preventing 'retaliation' against pro-union workers. Retaliation is already illegal in theory, but widespread in practice.

So what does Dennis Rehberg do? He votes to maintain intimidation and retaliation against workers exercising what is supposed to be your federally protected right to form a union.

Almost a year ago, Max Baucus became the 43rd cosponsor of the EFCA in the Senate. I have no idea where Jon Tester stands on it. Labor already knows it faces a tougher battle in the 51-49 Senate and the prospects of a Presidential veto. But the House today took a strong stand for workers. And that deserves a little round of applause.

Dennis Rehberg Misleads Montana, the Press

by: Matt Singer

Mon Feb 12, 2007 at 14:39:47 PM MST

Rehberg Votes Against a Minimum Wage Hike

by: Matt Singer

Wed Jan 10, 2007 at 17:11:56 PM MST

Nearly half the Republicans in the House supported the hike. 3/4 of Montanans supported the hike here in Montana.

But why vote your constituents when you can vote your contributors, right, Dennis?

Rep. Rehberg Hired a Real Winner

by: Matt Singer

Fri Dec 22, 2006 at 08:56:24 AM MST

Even better, he's a man who tried to pay a couple hackers to changes his college grades 'cause he was embarassed by his GPA.

The entire story is too good. Marshall concludes "that not only does Shriber probably lack the ethical fiber to serve in Congress (I guess that can mean more than one thing) but may also be the stupidest person on the planet."

Read the whole thing.

Update -- And just in case you need an added incentive, here's a picture of a squirrel taken by Shriber.

How does a picture of a squirrel fit in with a story of a Rehberg staffer trying to get his GPA changed? Just trust me, it does. This is really that stupid of a story.

The Max and Dennis Show

by: Matt Singer

Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 13:58:15 PM MST

The U.S. Senate seat? Less than 1%.

The entire Public Service Commission? Control is riding on about 150 votes out of 80,000 cast.

The Montana Senate? It was a dead tie until Sam Kitzenberg decided to flip.

The Montana House? It will be a dead tie as long as the 50th seat for Dems remains a dead tie (how insane is that?).

If we elected 100 dog catchers in Montana, I'm pretty sure we'd have 50 Democratic dog catchers and 50 Republican dog catchers.

And in the ultimate swing state, I'm inclined to think we're going to watch another Battle Royale in 2008. Consider it the Montana Grudge Match, 12 Years in the making.

Rehberg has been prepping for this for six years. Meanwhile, Baucus finds himself in a tougher position: sandwiched between an increasingly ornery base and his own reputation as a pro-corporate "new" Dem.