I suppose most of those colored maps that show political leanings of a given state still color Montana purple. Our governor and both our senators are Democrats, but the argument can be made that this is true because they are strong, unique personalities (Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Sen. Jon Tester) or simply Old Guard (Sen. Max Baucus), rather than because Democrats rule the state, politically.
But there's fresh evidence of real change. Details follow:
Last Saturday night, at the American Civil Liberties Union statewide Annual meeting, an assortment of luminaries gathered to present informative workshops on subjects ranging from the treatment of chronic pain (and the DEA's interference in that treatment) to bullying in the schools.
At the banquet that followed, State ACLU Director Scott Crichton was beginning to warm the crowd for the speeches when...a commotion ensued.
Senator Jon Tester, completely unannounced, had entered the room. He moved from table to table, shaking hands, hugging folks, cracking jokes. Finally, he stepped on stage and gave a short speech emphasizing the sanctity of the constitution, condemning the FISA telecom immunity provision, and thanking all of us the room for our efforts to preserve civil liberties.
He left to a standing ovation.
Now, I have no idea how to research this subject but I'm willing to bet no Montana senator has ever before had the courage to show his face at a Montana ACLU meeting, much less make a speech. It would come back to haunt him in the next campaign...
In a conversation with Director Crichton later in the evening I expressed my amazement that Sen. Tester had appeared. Scott put it simply: "Jon believes in the constitution, so does the ACLU. Jon believes our civil liberties must be protected, so do we."
And seemingly, Senator Tester isn't too worried about an opponent bringing up his attendance at an ACLU meeting in his next campaign.
Because indeed...the times are changing in Montana.