This is an edited post from last night. My apologies - I'm traveling and in my haste last night, I, like an idiot, inadvertently violated the DailyKos rules by posting an AP article. So here's an edited post - sorry again.
Big news out of Montana today - Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D), who will be in the San Francisco area for a fundraiser Wednesday, signed legislation rejecting the implementation of the Real ID Act that creates a national ID card. Schweitzer's official signing message was simple: "No, nope, no way, hell no." Some key excerpts are in the extended entry.
The Associated Press notes that "though several states have either passed or are considering resolutions or bills against the act, Montana is the first state to outright deny its implementation." How could this happen in a "red state" like Montana? Easy:
"The federal government has never been popular with Montanans. The federal Patriot Act was a common whipping boy on the campaign trail last year, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle lined up this year against the Real ID Act...The [bill] opposing the act, sponsored by Rep. Brady Wiseman, D-Bozeman, and signed by the governor, was unanimously approved by both chambers."
The best part is the reaction from Montana's congressional delegation. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is pushing federal legislation to repeal the Real ID Act. Meanwhile, AP reports that Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg "originally supported the federal legislation, but said Tuesday that he is now against it."