Archive for the 'Candidates ' Category

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? American politics is getting really interesting and with all the clamor of politics these days what is surely coming (sooner or later) will be the extension to the Clinton dynasty in American politics. When? – Oh let’s say by the year 2020.

My prediction is that we may see Chelsea Clinton running for President (after her mother of course) takes another swing at the presidency in 2012 or 2016. This will give Chelsea time to run for Congressman woman who is now 28, time to get a couple of terms under her belt and reach the required age of 35 for President. Can’t happen you say?

Hey, politics has forever changed here in 2008 and considering the Bush’s, the Kennedy’s and now the Clinton’s, I’d say that it is something that very well could happen. By that time people will be used to the idea that women can and will hold high office positions much beyond the Congress or the Senate.

You know – this thing called politics IS getting really interesting isn’t it?

Forty years ago everyone was thinking it but no one was saying it. On June 5, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy won the DNC nomination. He had said that things were changing and that in forty years a black person could even run for and win the presidential nomination.

Fast forward forty years and Barak Obama has managed to do just that! It was also forty years ago that RFK was assassinated.

So now everyone is thinking it, but nobody is saying it. Will history repeat itself?

And then there are those who are almost demanding that Hillary Clinton be the Vice President on Obama’s ticket. Should that happen one almost certainly would realize that Mrs. Clinton would then become the “first” woman president in our nations history albeit by the death of another president who had also made history prove itself yet again.

History is that JFK, Martin Luther King and RFK all were killed and their legacy was cut short and we shall never know just how it would have all run out in the end.

As it stands now, no one has said it, but I think a lot are still thinking it – could this happen again? I hope not.

It has been quite a while since I have posted here, but I wanted to stick to one site for a while and see how things went.  The truth is that, while having my own site is always nice, there is something great about Netroots that I lack at Rebels Are We!, so I decided that I need to continue to be a glutton for punishment, and continue to post on both sites.  But I have something I am very curious about.

What with the Democratic primary season over, the big question is of course whether or not Obama should offer the VP slot to Hillary Clinton.  You probably know how I feel; Hillary has burned too many bridges by means of her Republican, fear-mongering tactics.  However, with such a divided electorate, it is a question worth examining, and I am curious how Netroots readers feel.  If you prefer someone over Clinton, please voice who it is (and why) in the comments.

After Obama’s stunning victory in Montana yesterday, I could not help myself. For some background, see this post on Andy Hammond: Professor Chaos and then go over and read some LOL Cats.

You will recall that Andy had it set in his mind that he would be able to reak havoc and chaos in the Democratic primaries by voting for Hillary Clinton. He claimed that like minded ditto-heads were responsible for her victory in Pennsylvania and predicted they could do the same thing in Montana:

I am officially opening up the Montana Division of Operation Chaos. It’s the creation of Rush Limbaugh to create chaos in the Democratic primaries.
[snip]
My goal is to continue Operation Chaos in the Montana Democrat Primary. It’s an open primary on June 3 so it will be very easy to just go and vote. It is the last state primary, along with South Dakota, before the National Convention and I am pretty sure Hillary will still be battling so I plan on voting for her. I have also recruited, to date, eight other conservatives to vote for her and plan on recruiting many more.

Well, I am not thinking that his plan worked so well. In fact, judging from the voter counts, I am thinking that a lot of formerly Republican voters crossed over and voted because they liked Obama. We’ll see in a few months.

In the meantime, while Andy Professor Chaos and his friends minions were busy trying to “to create chaos in the Democratic primaries”, something sort of funny happened. After years and years of running for every position in the land as a member of every party ever conceived, the Republican Party has nominated Bob Kelleher. The Republican party of Montana just nominated the green party candidate from the 2002 Senate race to represent their party in the 2008 Senate race.

I don’t really know anything about Bob, other than he has ran for Governor four times, congress once and president once. All of these as a Democrat. In 2002 he ran for US Senate under the banner of the Green Party. His big issue? Convert America to a unicameral parliamentary system. Now he is the official nominee of the Republican party of the state of Montana for the position of US Senate.

Good work Andy Professor Chaos. The debates are going to be a BLAST!

Well as promised, I am going to tip my hand before I actually go to the booth and cast my votes tomorrow.

Lewis and Clark Library Levy. FOR. The levy will actually decrease the amount of voter approved taxes that are currently being paid, and will increase the hours of the library and the services provided. How could anyone in good conscious vote against it? Remind me to pay my library fines before I leave town.

Presidential. BARACK OBAMA. As Anna over at LitW said “shocking”, I know. I actually wanted to like Hillary, and I tried for a while, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling like I would be voting for insider politics and two-faced explanations much like we have suffered for the last 8 years. I am tired of not having a credible and honest person leading the country. I want someone with an IQ in the triple digits, and both Hilary and Barak are incredibly intelligent, the difference is in how they use their intelligence.

Meanwhile, the Clinton crew are running around Montana and South Dakota saying the race isn’t over yet, at the same time, she is telling her campaign advance staff that their roles on the campaign are ending. Do you really let employees go if you are running a Presidential campaign? It is yet another example of how she says one thing, and does something completely contrary. Hail of gunfire anyone?
There is an overwhelming vibe emanating from the Clinton campaign which seems to say “I WILL be President”. Like it is the title she wants, and not the job. And Barack, when he talks about the Presidency, he talks about what “WE” will accomplish. One of the best things about Barack’s campaign has been the change to glimpse how we as Americans can pull together to accomplish what people just a year ago were calling impossible. How we can change the world. Together.

U.S. Senate. JEANETTE RANKIN. That’s right, you heard me. Baucus is running unopposed for the democratic nomination, I am none to happy with his performance lately (just like a friend of mine). My deal breaker is his refusal to defend democracy because Montana’s vote might be diluted to the exact same percentage point as every other state’s would be by granting DC Citizens representation.

Then he sends a letter to a constituent saying:

“I share your frustrations about the situation in Iraq. Americans, especially Montanans, have made enormous sacrifices to protect our great country. We have lost more than 4,000 men and women in this protracted conflict. The time to change course is long overdue. The Iraqi government must assume the responsibility of establishing democracy within its borders. In Congress, I will continue to work with my colleagues to bring a satisfactory conclusion to this war. Our men and women in the Armed Forces have done their job well, and I want to see them come home as soon as possible. In our previous meetings, I have noted that I am unwilling to vote against funding the occupation. The President has made it clear that if such funds were cut off, he would allocate resources from other defense projects like Malmstrom Air Force Base.“

emphasis added.

I’ve just had it with him. I am writing in Jeanette Rankin.

U.S. House. JIM HUNT. I already love the way he can handle a fight. 

Governor and Lieutenant Governor. SCHWEITZER & BOHLINGER. As much as I think it might be fun to vote for Pogie and Neiffer and I have really appreciated how they have highlighted education matters in the race, I just am going to go with Schweitzer and Bohlinger. And to be honest, I just don’t take Fischer and White anywhere near seriously. If they want to set up a prayer schedule for people to pray around the clock for Montana, they certainly don’t need to be elected to office to do so.

State Attorney General. STEVE BULLOCK. As everyone is saying, this has been one of the toughest races to call. “Earning a paycheck” in the law industry, I have had dealings with many of these attorneys. Answering their calls, working with them and reading all incoming (and outgoing) pleadings and letters. You learn something about the character of a person by seeing how they deal with their peers on a daily basis. And while I have some great reasons not to vote on the Republican ticket candidates, all three of the Democrat candidates for Attorney General are my kind of attorneys, I just like Steve Bullock for AG the best. Any of the three would be a wonderful choice.

Secretary of State. LINDA MCCULLOCH.  I was in a committee hearing at the capitol a couple of months ago, regarding voting, and I heard Linda speaking up about getting young people involved in voting, in inovative ways.  I would much rather have an SOS that encourages people to get involved with politics, than one who grumps and groans about same day registration for people who want to vote.

State Auditor. MONICA LINDEEN. She’s back, and I am happy about it. Better yet, she is up for State Auditor, and I happily give her my vote.

Superintendant of Public Instruction. DENISE JUNEAU.  I think Wulgar puts this best “It is rare that we have an opportunity to vote for someone so unbelievable rational about the office they are running for.  Let’s not pass up this chance to vote for her.”

State Supreme Court Justice. MIKE MCGRATH. I can find plenty of good things to say about McGrath, my number one and two are his push for timely decisions, and making court proceedings open to the public. Having the Supreme Court briefs be available and search-able online has been a big step in the right direction, and I look forward to seeing what Mike will accomplish. As a sidenote - anyone but Waterman in my opinion. *shudder*

District Court Judge, District #1, Lewis and Clark County. STEVE FRANKINO. This is the other race that has been having me tear my hair out. Greg Duncan: definitely not. Kathy Seeley: yes she has experience, but I am not sure it is enough. Additionally, the word “Courage” on her campaign billboards strikes me as a bit off when I am looking for a District Court Judge. Dave Nielsen: again, no way. Denis Loveless: I truly like the man, and I think he is a fine attorney, he is a contender in my books. If I could vote for two, I would have cast my second vote for Dennis. K. Paul Stahl: I have heard good and bad, I think I am going to decide no on him. And finally Steve Frankino: while his commercial is one of the cheesiest I have ever seen, I don’t really expect a District Court Judge to know how to sell himself.  I am looking for someone who loves the law, can apply it fairly and objectively, in a timely manner.  I believe that Frankino is the best person for the job, out of the candidates.

Senate District #41. Undecided.  I live in one of the hotly contested districts, and my choices are between Hal Jacobson and Christine Kaufmann.  And honestly, I keep going back and forth between the two.  I probably won’t make up my mind until tomorrow.  This is part of the problem of having so many excellent candidates to chose from this election season.

House District #82. MATT COHN.

Well there you have it. Remember, whether or not you agree with any of my picks, the most important thing to do is get out there and vote tomorrow.  Every vote does count! 

The following is a guest post from Denise Juneau, Democratic candidate for Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. This post is part of a series designed to allow our readers to get to know Montana candidates and should not be construed as an endorsement.

Montana schools have always been a central part of the communities in which they serve. This presents great opportunity, but also responsibility and challenges for the administrators, teachers, students and parents who power our schools. In our rapidly expanding world, this includes a responsibility for schools to not only be aware of the impact they make on the earth through the energy, water and food they use, but also be active in reducing this impact and educating its students in how to do the same. There are great personal benefits to students and teachers involved in creating green schools, as well as collective benefits to the local and global community.

A “green school” can take many different forms, and I feel strongly about encouraging and supporting teachers, students and communities in their varied efforts at making sustainable schools. Some of the numerous initiatives associated with green schools include:

• Using green construction when building new district facilities. In addition to decreasing their impact on the local resources, this also leads to lower maintenance and utility costs. (Schools spend more on energy costs than computers and textbooks combined).
• Conducting energy “audits” and creating appropriate school and district-wide energy conservation plans that include awareness campaigns.
• Switching from fossil fuels to more sustainable energy such as solar or wind.
• Working with all school staff (administration, teachers, office and custodial staff) to establish a recycling program throughout the school. Ideally, students are involved in running and “marketing” the program.
• Evaluating food service plans as to the sources of the food served, as well as efforts to reduce food waste.
• Creating multi-disciplinary curriculum initiatives that teach students the science behind the human impact on the earth, students’ place in the chain of resource-use, strategies for sustainability, etc.
• Engaging students, staff and the community in creating green space or gardens on school grounds that offer educational opportunities for students, as well as collective benefits such as air and water quality, providing habitat for non-human neighbors, and overall beautification.

Not surprisingly, a number of Montana teachers, students and communities are leading the way in making our schools more sustainable. For instance, over 25 schools from Victor to Choteau to Bridger to Willow Creek have installed systems allowing solar power to make up a portion of their energy source. Many schools have long-standing curriculum projects focused on responsible stewardship of our earth, as well as extensive, often student-run recycling programs. It is my hope that we can continue to bring these efforts to the state level. For example, the Office of Public Instruction should actively partner with other state agencies, universities and the private sector in expanding promising initiatives such as the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s technical assistance program for school districts interested in building sustainable and energy efficient facilities. Similar to other states, we can match this technical assistance with additional funding resources through establishing grant and loan programs to help districts offset costs associated with designing or constructing more cost-efficient, green schools. Montana has already moved in this direction through existing programs that offer tax incentives to individuals and business using renewable energy sources. As State Superintendent I will use my role to recognize successful green schools and encourage incentive programs to broaden the movement.

The following is a guest post from Steve Bullock, Democratic candidate for Montana’s Attorney General. This post is part of a series designed to allow our readers to get to know Montana candidates and should not be construed as an endorsement.

The experiences we have shape the values we hold, and it is important to understand the values I will bring into the office of Attorney General.

More important than being a lawyer or a candidate, I am a father. My wife Lisa and I have 3 kids – six year old Caroline, three year old Alex, and my son Cameron, who turned one earlier this week.

Our little corner of the world is changing, and I want to provide my, and all Montana’s kids, the opportunity to actually be children and to grow. To do all we can to protect them, in their homes, on their playgrounds, on their computers.

And those values encompass more than just safety. I want to protect the Montana we love for those that will come after us. So my kids can hike, fish, and enjoy places we have gone. Both as a member of the land board and independently, the AG can play a critical role in preserving Montana and its environment.

And in addition to protecting our environment, it is about fostering an environment – where consumers, the elderly, our small businesses and family farmers and ranchers are protected from fraud and abuse.

I will never forget when my Grandmother ended up with Alzheimer’s and my Grandpa, who had never handled the checkbook, was swindled out of most of their life savings before I could intervene and get a power of attorney. They were in North Caroline, and even as an Assistant Attorney General in Montana, I was virtually helpless. I do not want another family to ever have to go through what they went through.

The office of Attorney General is more than about just fighting crime. It is about affirmatively using the statutory and common law powers to protect, preserve and improve this place. No other job in state government has as much latitude to say, something is wrong out there, and I can use the power entrusted to me to make it right. And if I can’t make it right, I can at least make it better.

I am running because I believe in service, and I can think no better job in which to apply my skills and abilities for the betterment of this state.

As background, I was raised in a single parent household in Helena. I ended up going to college at Claremont McKenna, a small private college outside of Los Angeles. Had never seen the place before showing up, there was no way we could have afforded to even visit. I got there by receiving aid and usually worked at least two jobs each semester.

A couple of years later, I put myself through law school, graduating with honors from Columbia Law School in New York City.

My legal experience has been in both private and public sectors. I served four years in the office I am now asking for your support to lead, finishing up as Chief Deputy Attorney General. I worked on behalf of Montana in our courts and in our legislative halls. I fought to protect our stream access rights by writing an AG Opinion about access from bridges and defending our laws in federal court. I did criminal appellate work, as well as work on behalf of the land board.

When working to pay off student loans, I worked with, and against, some of the best lawyers in the country, at 400 attorney firms in DC and NY, litigating cases where the stakes were literally in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars. I have shaped the minds of young lawyers, as an adjunct law professor at George Washington University Law School.

I have also tried to put my time and my money where my mouth is. A minimum wage of $5.15 an hour doesn’t provide a family what they need to survive. So, in 2006 I drafted an initiative to increase the minimum wage and we formed Raise Montana. Many of you joined in getting that initiative on the ballot, and 73% of us voted Fall 2006 to give 25,000+ Montanans a well deserved raise.

For the last few years I have been a lawyer in private practice in Helena, and that practice also reflects the values I hold.

• I represent our brother and sisters in labor unions and associations, from teachers to deputy sheriffs, from bus drivers to garbage men.
• I represented the cities in trying to buy NorthWestern Energy, to ensure we all have affordable energy.
• Through legal work for AARP I represent the interests of our senior citizens and others on a limited income, fighting to make energy more affordable.
• I represent the interests of conservation districts, seeking a fair system of compensation for the farmer whose water supply becomes endangered because of development of coalbed methane.
• I represent the interests of our Indian nations, defending Big Horn County from challenges of Indian voter fraud, brought by an out of state group that exists only to abolish tribal sovereignty

The Attorney General is the state’s top lawyer and law enforcement officer. He oversees a department of 750+ people with a budget of $70 million, and can play a critical role in our daily life. Some of the biggest cases and challenges our state faces typically end up in Attorney General’s office. I know, because I have been there.

I also have a firm sense of where I want to go with the job in the future. Some of those priorities are included in “White Papers” on my campaign website, www.stevebullock.com. I entered this race because I believe in service, and I can think no better job in which to apply my skills, abilities and values for the betterment of our state. I hope I can count on your support.

I got a phone call the other day from the Bozeman Obama rally; Leslie was her name (I think).  And it was cool.  She left me a great message.  And it is a real example of what grassroots change is all about.

Yesterday I got a call from the Obama campaign, and Jay (not our Jay) was a little worn out.  I can only imagine what making call after call can do to a volunteer.  We had a nice chat.  I warned him that I was a blogger, maybe he didn’t take me seriously.

I voted once, I think, on an “absentee ballot”, in the past.  I kind of got hoodwinked into it, as I am basically an agreeable person, and not likely to refute you at first turn.  Instead, I like to hear someone out, before making my decision. 

Point and fact, I have been asked to be a signature gatherer on an initiative, but even today, I have refused to do so, until I can discern and convince myself that the initiative is a good thing for Montana.  And if you know me, you know I am analyzing every word that would change the laws.

Speaking of which, I was talking with a signature gatherer today, and she told me that people in MT were more reluctant to sign any petition.  They want to know the truth, about who is proposing the initiative, what and who pays their salary, and what it will really mean to MT laws.  This is absolutely a reflection of the scars we Montanans have from the last election season. 

I am glad that we are wary.  Personally, I would rather have the proposals have to battle it out over a couple of seasons, legislative and elective, before their proposals became law.

Anyway, the reason I “refuse to vote early”.  I am still forming my opinions.  I am still working on figuring out who best represents me.  I want all the knowledge that I can have before casting my vote.  I will probably post my votes on the Monday before the election.  Not that you have to vote as I do.  Just to inform.

There are a couple of other things.  That year I voted absentee, I really felt it.  There was something missing from my election day experience.  I wanted that “I Voted” sticker as I drove voters to the polls.  Not to mention the feeling you get when standing in line with other voters.  I just isn’t the same at home with a minute pencil and ballot.

Here is the other reason I am against it.  I don’t want my vote counted early, or to have early returns announced in the media, and discourage anyone else from going out and casting their ballot.  I want to be a part of the upset.  And truthfully, that is a part of the reason that both parties want us to vote early, to be a part of the early results.  Oh no, they won’t admit it; and no, it is really not wrong, but I am just against tipping my hand.

There is a vote up at LitW, asking if we have voted already.  As of right now, the results are split between having already voted (43.75%), No (43.75%), and I can’t vote in the MT primary (12.5%).  Where do you stand?

The following is a guest post from Matt Cohn, Democratic candidate for Montana’s House District 82. This post is part of a series designed to allow our readers to get to know Montana candidates and should not be construed as an endorsement.

My name is Matt Cohn and I am a candidate for the House District 82 seat being vacated by term-limited Representative Hal Jacobson. The district encompasses much of Helena’s west side and parts of the valley.

I have lived in Helena for over 30 years and have an extensive and varied history of community involvement. In the 1970s and 80s I owned and operated North Country Stove Works (specializing in wood heating and alternative energy) and co-owned (with my wife Mary Ellen Holverson) the Stovetop Deli in the location that now houses the Mediterranean Grill.

In 1988 I went to work for the State. Fluent in Japanese, I managed the Montana’s overseas trade program and our offices in Japan and Taiwan. In 1992 I became director of Travel Montana and was responsible for managing the state’s tourism and film marketing efforts. I switched gears in 2001 to become the communications director for Montana State Fund where I initiated the award winning Young Workers Safety campaign to teach the importance of workplace safety to teens entering the workforce. Recently retired, I am now engaged in a number of civic and non-profit projects.

Working with the lawmaking, budgeting and appropriations process for nearly 20 years, I posses the knowledge, experience and proven ability to get things done. Experience has shown me that a good legislator must be informed, thoughtful, dedicated, and have a proven record of handling tough issues and getting the job done. One example I can give of building consensus on a difficult issue is my work as co-chair of Helena’s Urban Wildlife Taskforce. This was an emotionally charged problem and I knew that we would need to make some tough decisions that wouldn’t please everybody. Nonetheless, our task was to create a management plan to form the basis of future actions and we got it done.

As a legislator I will focus my efforts on those things that directly impact the quality of life of my constituents: education, health, environment and social justice. I’m also interested in ways Montana can encourage energy conservation and the development of sustainable alternatives. As an avid outdoorsman, I will fight to maintain public land and stream access for all users.

Over the years I have been involved in numerous endeavors on the local, state, and national level to promote alternatives in energy, transportation, and community growth. As a board member of Adventure Cycling for 28 years, I led the way in helping us become the nation’s premier advocate and largest membership organization for bicycling in America. In the late 1970’s I sold woodstoves, greenhouses and solar panels. My wife and I have always been a one car family and live as lightly as we can on this earth. As part of my campaign, I am walking and bicycling the entire district, anticipating I will travel over 800 miles before I’m finished knocking on 2700+ doors.

I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish as a twice elected representative to the Helena Citizens Council, as well as my leadership of the Board of the Montana History Foundation. I’m excited to have the opportunity to use my experience to serve and make a positive difference for our community and state. More information about me and my candidacy can be found at www.matt4montana.com

The following is a guest post from Mike Wheat, Democratic candidate for Montana’s Attorney General. This post is part of a series designed to allow our readers to get to know Montana candidates and should not be construed as an endorsement.

The primary election is upon us and I am writing to state my case for being the most qualified candidate to be Montana’s Attorney General.

The Attorney General represents all Montanans as the state’s top lawyer and chief law enforcement official, and as a member of the land board. In other words, he is Montana’s lawyer for the people. Therefore, it is important that a lawyer with the broadest experience represents our state. We need a lawyer who has experience in critically analyzing and litigating complex legal issues, experience with negotiating realistic solutions to complicated problems, and experience fighting for the “little guy.” But, we also need a lawyer with a broad base of life experience — a lawyer who has served in the military, has busted his knuckles working construction, has raised kids and taken care of ailing parents, has watched a sibling succumb to the ravages of alcohol addiction, and felt the peace and solitude of our mountainous back country and blue ribbon trout streams.

What follows are some of the qualifications that I will bring to the office of Attorney General.

Legal Experience. I have almost 30 years of experience as a lawyer protecting and fighting for Montana individuals, families, and small businesses. For first three years I served as a deputy county attorney in Butte-silver bow where I prosecuted crimes from DUI to murder. The last twenty-seven years have been in private practice in Bozeman in partnership with a friend from law school. Our practice involves complex trial and appellate work on behalf of individuals and small businesses.

Legislative Experience. I served in the Montana Senate during the 2003 and 2005 sessions. I tried to mark my service in the legislature with maturity, common sense and good judgment. I also made every effort to transcend the partisan politics that frustrate all Montanans. I worked closely with Jon Tester while in the Montana legislature, and the following quote from Jon captures my effort to represent all Montanans while in the Senate, “From his days defending this country as a combat Marine through his dedicated service in the Montana legislature, Mike Wheat is a proven leader. He’s been a strong advocate for veterans, workers, consumers, and others who don’t often have a voice.”

Life Experience. I am a third generation working class Montanan. My Dad was a miner, logger, construction worker, and a member of the Operating Engineers. My Mom stayed at home and raised 5 kids, but worked as a waitress after her children were grown. I served in the military, like my Dad and his Dad before me. I was a combat marine in Viet Nam (1968-69), and have worked as a laborer in a chemical plant, a school custodian, a gaming dealer, a railroad laborer, and a union carpenter. Most of this work was while I was working my way through college and law school. I have four children and have been married to my wife, Debby, for almost 35 years. I love my kids, as every parent does, and I understand the concerns parents have for the safety of their children as they are growing up.

MY PRIORITIES

Consumer Protection. Defending and protecting consumers, children, senior citizens, and veterans against all forms of abuse and exploitation is a top priority. Identity theft, consumer and investment fraud, elder abuse, and other predatory crimes through the Internet, mail, and telephones affect Montanans of all ages and backgrounds. Every day unsuspecting victims provide Internet thieves with information related to finances and other personal matters. I will make it a priority to provide outreach and education to the public about such activities, as well as identify and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes. The goal will be to avoid victimization by providing education and information to Montanans, as well as prosecuting perpetrators.

Protect Kids From Predators. I will facilitate a unified effort by all Montana law enforcement agencies to make sure that online crimes are prevented and child predators are identified and punished. To accomplish this I will create a Child Predator Unit within the department to assist law enforcement at all levels in patrolling the Internet highway. I will also promote increased education in schools and communities about the risks of Internet predators as well as drug and alcohol abuse. I will make it a priority to help kids caught in the criminal justice system because of drug use or abuse to get treatment and counseling.

Law Enforcement Support. As Attorney General, I will make sure that our law enforcement officers, county prosecutors, and crime lab specialists get the necessary training and resources they need to keep our streets and communities safe. Our law enforcement community must have confidence that the Attorney General will be a strong advocate for their needs, and I will be such an advocate.

Montana’s Public State Lands. As a member of the State Land Board it is important that our state public lands are protected and managed responsibly. It is important to ensure that revenue for our schools and children is adequately realized, while upholding the Montana Constitutional promise to “maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” Responsible stewardship and resource development are not mutually exclusive and will be my guiding principles on the land board. Furthermore, I will defend our right of access to all public lands to hunt, fish and recreate.

Veteran Support. There is no question that our nation and our state will be facing a health care crisis in the veteran community with the number of soldiers returning from Iraq with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, concussive brain injury, or both. I will make sure that any of our veterans who come in contact with the criminal justice system are diverted to appropriate treatment rather than criminal incarceration.

I believe my legislative record of protecting consumers, veterans, and working folks, defending the environment, and supporting law enforcement, as well as my legal career of fighting for the rights of individuals and small businesses, has prepared me to be Montana’s next Attorney General. I hope you agree and ask for your vote.

The following is a guest post from Denise Juneau, Democratic candidate for Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. This post is part of a series designed to allow our readers to get to know Montana candidates and should not be construed as an endorsement.

U.S. Representative Dale Kildee has a terrific way of referencing the appropriate role for the federal government in education. He says that providing education is a state responsibility, a local function, and a federal interest. We appreciate the interest and assistance of our federal partners, but I argue for a federal role that is supportive of state efforts – not one that attempts to control our important work - or that seeks to simply penalize our schools without providing sufficient resources to address areas that need improvement.

Through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 (NCLB), the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the federal government has a new set of requirements for public education that hopes to improve schools through a strict accountability process. Public schools that receive federal Title I funds are subject to a progressive list of sanctions based on student performance on state standardized assessments. If a certain percentage of students do not score “proficient” on the state assessment, a school is labeled as “in need of improvement” and faces increased sanctions until removed from the list for improving their test scores.

I have specific concerns with NCLB, which are detailed below, but primarily focus on the policy’s assumption that the worth of a school can be measured by the average test score of its students. Although academic achievement is a critical goal, I believe schools have a much more nuanced role for students and communities than raising test scores on math and reading. Despite its limitations, NCLB has shed light on achievement gaps between groups of students in our schools, and we must remain ever vigilant in our efforts to close those gaps through concentrated focus and support. State efforts such as Indian Education for All, Quality Educator Loan Assistance and various scholarships available for summer and postsecondary programs represent important steps towards meeting the needs of ALL of Montana’s students. I will work to continue such programs, and ensure their existence in the face of federal requirements.

I see the role of State Superintendent in relation to the federal government as two-fold: conduit and advocate. Not only will I provide strong leadership as a conduit - interpreting and implementing complicated federal legislation, but will work as an advocate to represent the needs of Montana in the creation and enforcement of federal education policies. Let me expand on these two important roles:

Conduit: The State Superintendent must have a sophisticated understanding of the complex and fluid requirements and funding mechanisms in a federal law such as NCLB, and how these requirements translate to local contexts in Montana communities. It is my job to lead the Office of Public Instruction in interpreting and implementing the law to fulfill these requirements in the ways most responsive to the needs of Montana. My experience as an attorney, teacher and state-level administrator uniquely equips me with the experience and skills needed to apply complicated legislation to local educational contexts.

Advocate: An equally important role of the State Superintendent is to be an advocate for the state when the federal government creates such legislation. NCLB is scheduled for reauthorization most likely within the next two years. Representative George Miller (D-CA), as well as the Department of Education, has already put forward a number of proposed changes and members of Congress are soliciting feedback from the states. I have developed some important recommendations for how these changes can best serve a state such as Montana. For example:
- Provide flexibility for rural states so schools can get back to their job of educating the “whole student” – including Montana’s long tradition of arts and humanities. NCLB has narrowed the curriculum and has teachers spending the entire month of March preparing students to “take the test.” We need to vitalize our schools, ensuring that learning remain joyful, balanced, and works toward a sense of good citizenship, not just high math and reading achievement.
- Develop additional ways to determine the quality of schools that go beyond a single test score, since we all understand that one test score does not paint the entire picture. For example, an evaluation of a school should consider its contribution to the growth of students in academic areas (test scores, grades, courses taken, graduation rates) and social areas (attendance, behavior, attitude towards school, civic participation, etc).
-Properly fund the legislation on the federal level so NCLB is no longer an “unfunded mandate”. NCLB includes many requirements that place additional financial and administrative burdens on both the state and districts, without providing additional resources to help school out of the sanction process.
-In addition to highlighting and working on areas of potential improvement, we need to also promote the good things that are happening in our schools every day. Montana is full of bright, capable and motivated students, teachers and administrators who deserve to be recognized for their many accomplishments.