17 comments

1. January 22, 2012 - 4:42 pm Craig Moore

   I have suggested putting the function in the AG’s office and dividing up the workload.
   • January 22, 2012 - 5:01 pm Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers

     Finally! Something we can all agree on. I think James in on the right track. We MUST remove mutiny as a political tactic in state government agencies. That sets an extremely bad precedent, and was NOT the most thoughtful course of action! And damn if I can think of another case of mutiny as far back as I’ve been following state politics. Anybody know when the last on occurred?
2. January 22, 2012 - 5:26 pm Havre Voter

   I agree with James Conner that the Secretary of State is better prepared technology wise to take this task on than the current office. The Political Practices office needs technology-capable staff and infrastructure which it currently seems to lack.
3. January 22, 2012 - 10:42 pm Farmboy

   I agree in part with James Conner and I disagree in part, ok Governor Schwietzer whom I admire more then anybody else in Montana politics for better or worse has made some very partisan choices for political practices commissioner, and that in my opinion is wrong. For example I would not be a good choice for political practices commissioner because Im a very partisan person, I would say the same for Chuck Denehow or a if lets say Mark Baker got the job. I feel political practices should be like a refree in a football game, with no ties to anybody. Somebody completly unpartisan, that is in a perfect world, which we do not live in. But I would also say this the secretary of state, and the attorney general are partisan so I dont feel that would fit very well. And would we want that if and when a Republican takes those offices in a future election?
   • January 22, 2012 - 11:22 pm James Conner

     I would assign political practices functions to the career civil servants in SecState and AG.
   • January 23, 2012 - 5:55 am Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers

     And lest we forget just WHO is responsible in essence for this latest fiasco? Well, our goofy Teatard Legisalture! For they refused to confirm the guv’s selection, a lady who seemed to do well in the office. Why? Why are the Teatards so scorched earth stupid and nasty folks?

     Thus, as has been mentioned, it really does come back to them, the Teatards. Teatardism is a mental illness.
     • January 23, 2012 - 11:32 am Lynn

       http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/21/408198/republicans-on-fec-making-citizens-united-worse/
     • January 23, 2012 - 12:05 pm James Conner

       I thought both of Schweitzer’s last two nominees were too close to the Democratic Party to be considered objective and fair by the general public.
       • January 23, 2012 - 5:54 pm Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers

         Hey, Jimbo, your nimbus is showing again, dude. Put it back in your pants! Look, Jimbo, they were good nominees! PERIOD! Hell, even the Four Horseapples of the Apocraphyl approved of her! That is the nature of the freakin’ post.

         Some suggested Brad Johnson. Hell, I think he would do a helluva of good job for the dude has integrity. Not ALL Pubbies nor Dems are venal, ingernt scumbags. ONLY all the Teatards!
4. January 23, 2012 - 6:52 am Mark Tokarski

   Montana will soon enough be overrun by Citizens United and all of the anonymous campaign ads so as to make this a moot point. With CU, the Supreme five (two of whom could have been kept off the court by Democrats who were afraid to challenge Bush) did suggest that congress introduce sunlight into the process, but there’s been no action in Congress. Obama. In his SOTU last year said
   

   “Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests — including foreign companies — to spend without limit in our elections. “Well, I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, and worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that’s why I’m urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.”

   While he put the onus on Congress he has immense power to push these issues, and has done nothing. The Montana Supreme Court recently challenged the ruling, but they’ll be overruled and since they have to campaign for office, will likely be turned out soon.

   It is up to Democrats to fight Citizens United at the highest levels … Oh, wait. I said Democrats … never mind. Not gonna happen. Maybe OWS can field this one,
   • January 23, 2012 - 12:37 pm larry kurtz

     You’re veering off topic, Toke; but, thanks for giving me the opportunity for a reminder that the GOP learned its tactics and vocabulary from its current presidential primary darling.

     Thank you, Mr. Conner, for reminding Montana Democrats to move quickly rather than leave this matter dangling.
     • January 23, 2012 - 5:41 pm Mark Tokarski

       You can play around all you want with regulation of Montana politics, but when CU is reaffirmed, it is all for naught.
       • January 23, 2012 - 5:51 pm Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers

         Hey, Buttinksi, lay of the petty insults and just contribute, dude. When you’re right, you’re right! And when you’re a dumbass, you’re simply a dumbass!
5. January 23, 2012 - 7:50 am Paul S.

   I think we need some accountability to the voters on this. We can’t vote out a civil servant if they screw it up. It become much the same as OPP. We need an elected official in charge, like the Secretary of State, that we can vote out if they mess up.
   • January 23, 2012 - 5:36 pm Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers

     Is this Paul Stevens by chance?
     • January 24, 2012 - 8:22 pm Paul S.

       Nope, Paul Sanchez.
6. January 23, 2012 - 11:12 am Steve

   In most other states the Secretary of State handles these duties. Why in Montana where we value small efficient government have we created a separate branch of government?