Out of Sight!

With all of the good news Montanans are expecting to come out of today’s election, there is one blemish. One that has avoided scrutiny for far too long because of a type of political Clearisil.

Montana is cursed by having only one seat in the United States House of Representatives. Mind you, one is bad enough. But when the incumbent is a low-life of the highest order, one is doubly bad.

Denny, the snarly, quarrelsome one.

Has he done anything to help working families and blue-collar Montanans? Reduce the number of American and Montanans without health insurance? Stop the senseless wars? Even conceded climate change?

Nope. Denny, you see, he has been pretty much in bed with the Bush crowd, a loyal spear-carrier, ready at any moment ready to spring to the defense of GW.

He and George assumed their respective offices at the same time, you know.

Regular cutie pies.

To be fair, Denny has crossed George two times within the past year.

After pontificating about the ‘socialized medicine’ nature of the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP), he reversed course and voted to reauthorize it. But, that was only after being deluged by phone calls by thousands of Montanans.

And, he voted against the administration’s $700.0+ billion financial bailout several weeks ago. Heck, even his Democratic ‘opponent,’ John Driscoll, commended him and said he would vote for Denny because of that vote. One vote. Never mind the thousands of other lousy votes he has cast during his career.

You’ve had cover long enough, Denny.

Our lone Congressional seat is up for election all by itself only once every twelve years. The last time was in 1998. The next time is 2010.

Denny has never been one to shun the spotlight mind you. Why, he was front and center last summer during the House GOP dog-and-pony show energy escapade (Theme: We support drilling anywhere and promise it will bring gas prices down. Cross our hearts.), despite being present for a mere fraction of the forgettable proceeding.

But, he has managed to run for election initially and then re-election four times without our undivided attention.

Think about it.

In 2000, the marquee race was Burns – Schweitzer. To her everlasting credit, Nancy Keenan ran a hell of a race, but lost.

In 2002, it was Baucus – Taylor. [Name Denny’s Democratic opponent.]

In 2004, it was Schweitzer – Brown (Bob) for the open seat vacated by the ever-so-popular Judy Martz. [Name Denny’s Democratic opponent.]

In 2006, the Burns – Tester donny-brook. [Quick. Name Denny’s opponent.]

In 2008, you can double down: Baucus – Kelleher and Schweitzer Brown (Roy). While neither race is competitive, after winning the June primary, John Driscoll has waged a stand-on-some misguided perception that he can change–the-process-if-he-loses-badly-enough, lose-at-all-costs campaign. Besides we are preoccupied with the fear that Tim Fox could actually win the AG's race.

Enjoy it while you can, Denny. It’s about to end.

Chances are that even with a more viable opponent, he would have won this time anyway. [Although, it will be interesting to see what percentage of the vote Driscoll pulls.]

So, what will Denny have in the bank after this election? $500,000?

Plenty, I am sure. Enough to form the basis of a formidable war chest to cake walk though the 2010 election.

And, then 2012, what is it, Denny? Take on Jon Tester or to come back home and serve as Governor, the same office you so graciously refused to ascend to when Stan Stephens had a melt-down in 1992?

Yes, you did quite a job a Racicot’s lieutenant - - - behind the scenes: Magellan health care fiasco (that one faded away and out of the public’s consciousness, didn’t it?); electricity de-regulation; dismantling of tax laws and environmental regulation.

Oh, yeah, we remember what a prick you were during the 1980’s when you served in the Legislature and how you magically transformed into 'Mr. Mom' in the 2000 Congressional election.

You’ve flown under the radar long enough – we’ve heard nary a word from you. You and your awful record of 'service' deserve all of the publicity we can give it.

The chorus will be, "We'll make you spend it all, Denny!"

The only good news for the next two years? You and your failed caucus leadership will be buried by an even larger Democratic majority in the House.

Out of sight, but not out of mind.