Everyone, it’s been another busy week. Here’s what I’ve been doing:

Saturday, August 30, I worked with the MSU Bobcat Football Stat Crew. I’ve been on the stat crew for 19 years, and I input all the plays into a program from which we print reports, feed stats to TV while they broadcast the game, and generate the data that’s the NCAA record of the game. MSU beat Adams State in the home opener, 59-3. For more, see my post from Saturday, August 30.

After the game, I resumed my work of getting more details on a proposed land swap in Madison County of elk hunting habitat proposed by a landowner and the US Forest Service. I’ve been in contact with the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest rangers and staff, with our US Senators offices, with Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the DNRC, and sporting groups. The first notices went out about a month ago, and public meetings will be held about the proposal; I’ve gotten more info on the parcel proposed in the Tobacco Root Mountains for the trade, and I’ve heard from hunters intent on keeping parcels with public access for hunting.

Sunday I attended the Bridger Canyon Property Owners Association annual picnic, where much of the conversation was about

proposed oil and gas leases on state land sections within or adjacent to Bridger Canyon Zoning District. I’m bird-dogging more information all the time about how tracts are nominated, why people weren’t notified, how value is assessed, etc. For more, read my post from Tuesday, Sept 2.

On Monday, Labor Day, I wrote an article for the Bozeman Business and Professional Women newsletter and reviewed the packet for the Bozeman Planning Board meeting (I’ve served on the Planning Board for eight years, four as chair; also on the Zoning Commission, and on the Board of Adjustment, which hears applications for variances, deviations, and relaxations from Bozeman code). I also researched a project in the northern part of my district proposed near Bridger Creek Golf Course.

Tuesday began with work on the campaign, then included meetings with volunteers, phone conferences with state agency staff at the Capitol, and review of the proposed land use map for Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting. I also wrote a letter of support for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Montana Arts Council. I’ve been a long-time supporter of Shakespeare in the Parks; it’s a respected and most appreciated cultural effort for Montanans statewide every summer, and there’s nothing else like it that travels town-to-town offering free performances!

Wednesday started with a morning meeting with supporters. Afterward, I contacted Judge Bruce Loble at the Montana Water Court about language proposed in the revised Subdivision Review chapter of the Bozeman growth policy, the 2020 Plan. Montana law is very specific about abandonment of water rights

or water user facilities, and Judge Loble and the fine staff at the Water Court will help me formulate language for the growth policy that’s compliant with state law. I’m known in certain circles as the “Water Wonk”, and worked hard in the 2007 session on water law. I co-wrote and co-sponsored a bill with Republican representative Walt McNutt of Sidney to protect water quality and water quantity in closed basins like Gallatin Valley, and even in the contentious 2007 session, we got our bill passed. Later Wednesday, I corresponded with a group that wants to include language in the growth policy about mobile home parks, manufactured homes, and affordable housing; we met Friday. At 7 pm, I chaired the Planning Board meeting. We reviewed the chapters and land use map and made an appointment to the committee that’s working with Prospera to write an economic development plan for Bozeman.

On Thursday, the day began with a meeting with supporters and volunteers, then a meeting with Montana Women Vote, an organization that focuses on registering voters and dispersing information to voters in the block least likely to vote: single working women. Thursday was Bob’s birthday (my loved one) and so I took Bob to a birthday dinner!

Friday began with the proceedings of the Gallatin Valley Treatment Court, a program offered to people convicted of drug crimes. Over 18 months, Judge Salvagni, the Treatment Court team, and many supportive people teach participants how to lead sober, responsible lives. Friday was a special day; a participant graduated from the program, and a former member, now clean and sober for more than 1,500 days, returned to Treatment Court to tell members that he knows how difficult the program is, and how they feel, but that he’s living proof of the success of the program. Treatment Court is a strict regimen, and at first, it feels punitive to participants, but it succeeds in giving members the tools by which to overcome their addictions, learn responsible behaviors, and become happy, healthy, and productive citizens. The program is a lot of work on the part of every member, but it truly enables them to change their lives and not be relegated to the Corrections system. The program and the work and dedication of its staff and members gives participants the discipline, guidance, and encouragement to truly change for the better. I couldn’t be prouder to support Treatment Court, both as a Friend of Treatment Court and as a legislator; last session, the legislature budgeted money for courts all around Montana. It’s leaps and bounds better to help people regain their footing through Treatment Court than to sentence and incarcerate, although I know that’s needed, too; but the members of this program are those who’ve done dramatic work improving themselves, their lives, regaining the trust of family and employers, and recharting their courses.

Friday afternoon, another Planning Board member and I met with residents of mobile home parks to discuss how to include supportive language for mobile and manufactured homes in the Bozeman 2020 Growth Policy. Friday night, I met with campaign supporters and organizers.

More soon. I’m working hard all the time, and I love the work. If I can help you, email me: pomnicho@montanadsl.net

Everyone, it’s been another busy week. Here’s what I’ve been working on:
Last Saturday, I worked on the MSU Bobcat Stat Crew for the home opener against Adams State. We had trouble printing our game reports, but the Bobcats prevailed, so all’s well! Go, ‘Cats!

On Sunday, I went to the Bridger Canyon Property Owners’ Association picnic and talked about the proposed oil and gas leases on state lands in and adjacent to Bridger Canyon Zoning District. I’m bird-dogging more information all the time about how tracts are nominated, why people weren’t notified, how value is assessed, etc.

Monday, I got caught up on emails and submitted an article for the Bozeman Business and Professional Women’s newsletter, emailed neighbors of a development north of Bridger Road, and followed up on a proposed land swap in Madison County of some prime elk hunting lands. I also wrote a letter of support for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Montana Arts Council. I’ve been a long-time supporter of Shakespeare in the Parks; it’s a respected and most appreciated cultural effort for Montanans statewide every summer, and there’s nothing else like it that travels town-to-town offering free performances!

Tuesday, I reviewed the packet for the Bozeman Planning Board meeting, met with constituents about tax refunds, and scheduled a meeting with residents of mobile home parks about language that should be included in Bozeman’s growth policy update. Besides that, I ran a bunch of errands to the post office, printer, etc.

Wednesday began with a meeting with my fellow representative, Franke Wilmer, and fine supporters of ours. Later, I contacted Judge Bruce Loble at the Montana Water Court about language proposed for the Bozeman growth policy update. Montana law has clear regulations for abandoning water rights and water user facilities, and Judge Loble and all the fine people at the Water Court will help me formulate language in the growth policy that complies with state law. I’ve worked really hard on water law and water rights. Last session, I co-wrote and co-sponsored a bill with a Republican representative on water use in closed basins (like the Gallatin Valley) and wrote an article about the new water law for NewWest.net. My moniker in certain circles is the “Water Wonk”!

Wednesday night, I chaired the Planning Board meeting (I’ve served on the Planning Board for eight years, four as chair). For more than a year, the Planning Board has held public meetings, citizen panels, and land use sessions to update the growth policy; Wednesday, we reviewed the chapters on Subdivision Review and Land Use (with a revised land use map).

Thursday began with a meeting of supporters and Democratic staff; after that, I attended a Montana Women Vote meeting at the library. Montana Women Vote is a group that focuses on registering voters and getting information to voters. The emphasis is on an important but typically non-voting block of the population: single working women. The voter registration effort before the primary election was effective, registering more than 500 new voters; MWV is continuing voter registration, and making its voter guide for the November election. Also on Thursday, phone calls and phone conferences with state agencies in Helena.

Friday, I attended the Gallatin County Treatment Court proceedings in Judge Salvagni’s courtroom. The Treatment Court offers its members an 18-month-long program of support, supervision, and methods by which to rehabilitate from their addictions, make restitution to the court, and stay out of the Corrections system. It’s the most effective way to help people break their addictions, destructive behavior, and get back on course to be happy, healthy, productive citizens. I couldn’t be prouder to support the Treatment Court program and its participants and staff. It’s truly remarkable the dramatic changes that people make in their lives in the Treatment Court program. It is life-changing for the members, their families, and their fellow citizens. It’s hard work, and at the beginning, it feels punitive to members, but the skills that they learn carry farther than the 18 month program; yesterday, a participant graduated–clean, sober, and grateful–and a former member visited the court with more than 1,500 days sober to tell participants he knows where they are, what they’re going through, and that they can be successful. Unfortunately, not all members succeed in the program, but they’re given the chance and the tools, and even those who revert back and are remanded to Corrections report later that they knew the tools to use to get through that experience.

Friday afternoon, I met with members of the mobile home community to discuss language that could be included in the growth policy for manufactured homes, mobile home parks, and affordable housing.

Later, I met with campaign supporters, caught up on email, etc. Sometime, I’ve got to find some time to do laundry…

Before I left Denver last Friday, I packed up a box of the wonderful convention memorabilia I’d collected over those four days. Wonderful stuff, and it arrived home today!


The campaign buttons are great; there’s the one with Sox, the Clintons’ cat, draped over the White House, with the caption, “Send Sox Clinton back to the White House 2008”. Come on, everybody, Sox just wants to go home! And the button I bought for Bob, the rocker: Obama in the style of the AC/DC logo!

There’s the commemorative Limited Convention Edition Kraft Macaroni and Cheese–jeez, I loved it before, but now that they’ve done a Democratic Convention edition, I love it even more–as well as great campaign buttons, t-shirts, an Obama “Time for a Change” watch for my dad, etc., etc.

All wonderful stuff by which to remember the Democratic National Convention. Nice.

Bridger Canyon, on the east side of the Bridger Mountain Range, is a pristine and beautiful area in my legislative district, and close to my heart: I served on the Bridger Canyon Volunteer Fire Dept. for ten years as a Firefighter/EMT.




On Sunday, the Bridger Canyon Property Owners Association had its annual picnic, and I saw lots of friends. It was a lovely late summer day; sunny, but the air was cool, and the leaves are starting to turn.

Talk centered mostly around the renewed proposition of oil and gas leases on state lands in Bridger Canyon. The State Lands Board deferred the auction of the leases from September 9 to December, but this area has fought oil, gas, and coalbed methane (CBM) drilling before, and the Bozeman Pass Zoning District formed and passed its zoning around the CBM threat two years ago (after a two-year process). (See my post from May 2006.)

Now, someone has nominated three sections of state lands in Bridger Canyon for oil and gas leases. I spoke with the head of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation and also with the Governor’s office two weeks ago when we first heard about the proposal. On some of the sections nominated for leases, people farm and ranch; other sections are sensitive lands or restricted from much activity at all because of slope or critical lands. Bridger Canyon residents, none of whom were notified–not even those living on the parcels in question–went to the State Lands Board meeting, and are working on language for their zoning district. I’m working on getting details of state lands leases, the nomination process, determining the value of a resource, notification to residents and adjacent landowners, etc.

In the 2007 Legislative session, I requested bills to address split estates (separate owners of surface land rights and underground mineral rights for the same parcel of land). I proposed legislation for oil and gas companies to post bonds for reclamation of surface lands and for polluting ground water, for required surface use agreements for access to and occupancy of drilling sites, for defined water rights for CBM development, and for compensation to landowners for loss of surface use to oil and gas operations. None of the bills passed, but the policies are right, and I’ll bring the bills again.

I’m proud to protect Bridger Canyon residents from dangers to public health and safety. For most of my experience, that’s been in service on the fire department. Now, it’s protecting the land, water quality, and character of the canyon from what could be inappropriate exploration for and extraction of oil and gas.

Friends, as I sort through photos and video from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, which wrapped up three days ago, I’ll post some of the best.

On Wednesday night, the night of Joe Biden’s acceptance speech, I was seated in the club level at the Pepsi Center. Michelle Obama was seated DIRECTLY below me! Here are some unique overhead shots. (How many Secret Service agents do you suppose had me tagged as Public Enemy Number One that night?!?)

The first photo is Michelle Obama with Barack’s uncle, a World War II veteran who helped liberate the Jewish detainees at Buchenwald. Amazing.

And Michelle Obama with one of the Biden signs that we all held at the Pepsi Center. Biden’s speech was amazing; a video with his family history and accomplishments in the US Senate preceded his talk, and his son, Attorney General Beau Biden, introduced Joe. (Beau is a reservist, about to be deployed to Iraq. He asked the crowd to take care of his dad while he’s away.)

Here’s a video that my fellow rep Julie French and I made the first night at the Pepsi Center: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4a7qpQgSM8

More soon!

Today’s college football game between the beloved Montana State University Bobcats and the Adams State Grizzlies –that’s right, we started the season with Cat-Griz, and we’ll end the season with Cat-Griz– had one of the strangest events happen: a lightning delay.

I’ve been on the MSU Football Stat Crew for 19 years (the only chick in the press box!), and never in that time (and longer, according to many, including Dean Alexander, who called the games for radio for years) had the stadium ever been evacuated.

Mandatory evacuation. Through bitter sub-zero games with vicious wind chills, to driving snowstorms when the teams would be playing on one end of the field while a snowplow cleared the five-yard-line markers on the other end, NEVER has the stadium been evacuated, but it was today.

There had been six or eight lightning strikes within an eight mile radius of the stadium, and the stands are metal, so the game was suspended until the weather cell passed and until there had been no lightning strike within 15 minutes of the last strike. MSU President Geoff Gamble told me that the trainers carry a ‘lightning detector’ on their belts during practice on the open fields. I had no idea there was such a thing. Better safe than sorry, though; averting tragedy is much better than regretting ignoring the signs later.

After 90 minutes or so, the game resumed. The Cats won handily over the Grizzlies, 59-3 (they led 38-0 at halftime, when the lightning delay started). A score like this against the hated Grizzlies is a precursor to November.

The Democratic National Convention yielded lifelong memories for me, wonderful new friends, and swollen legs and feet from walking the greater downtown Denver area for 14-16 hours every day!


Some anecdotes: on Wednesday, during the Roll Call of the States, California passed when called upon for its delegate votes for Clinton and Obama. Illinois did the same, presumably to be the last to report its votes for Obama, its hometown hero. Something big was in the works, and convention staff told Montana that Hillary Clinton would be on the floor for when New York was called upon, but she was running late, and the convention staff needed Montana to stretch its speech and vote report! Dennis McDonald and Carol Williams spoke, and said that Montana is the home of distinguished US Senator Mike Mansfield; Carol mentioned that Montana was home to Norman MacLean, author of A River Runs Through It; she introduced herself as the first woman majority leader in the Montana Legislature. Basically, she and Dennis were brainstorming all the wonderful things to report about Montana while a convention staffer stood in front of them, out of camera view, indicating that they should keep talking!

When the staffer got word that Montana could give its vote total and the other states before New York would also stretch, Carol and Dennis reported Montana’s vote total. Soon after, when New Mexico’s vote came up, New Mexico yielded its votes to Illinois. Richard Daley, mayor of Chicago, accepted New Mexico’s votes along with Illinois’ 185. Then Daley yielded those votes to New York!

All of a sudden, Hillary Clinton, with many security personnel, strode down the aisle to the New York delegation and read for New York its 282 votes. She moved that the rules of the Roll Call proceedings be suspended, and that the delegates adopt by acclimation the nomination of Barack Obama for president! It was a very gracious thing to do, and by Obama’s opponent in the primary. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, chair of the proceedings, asked for a voice vote, and the motion to adopt passed overwhelmingly.

Another anecdote: the Pepsi Center, presumably to counter all the body heat that thousands of delegates, guests, and press would generate, cranked up the air conditioning so high that sitting in the club level and higher was COLD! The first day, I discovered this and so bought a sweater the next day at Ann Taylor Loft (or, as I fondly refer to it, The Mother Ship). I was shivering so much that my camera shots were blurred the next day, with sleeves down and sweater on! The lady sitting next to me said, “Kinda cold in here, huh?” to which I responded, “You know, I brought a sweater today, and I keep all this extra body fat on for situations just such as this, but crikey, it’s cold!”



Another anecdote: this was a “green” convention, and delegations could pay to offset their impact on the environment and be green (Montana and others did, and were recognized with green symbols on their vertical state signs.) But every night, thousands of campaign signs were handed out down every aisle, to every convention-goer, and not recycled!!! You’d think, wouldn’t you, that there could be big cardboard boxes by the exits so that people could deposit signs as they left the venue, or staff could collect signs left behind, but no! Tree after tree sacrificed at the altar of the national convention! (I kept my signs as memorabilia, as did others, but wow, what a lot of printing and paper.)

Last anecdote: Every night after the convention, I was approached by a reporter asking for a reaction or comment of the night’s speaker or convention happenings. After Hillary Clinton’s speech, I was asked by a reporter if I’m a Clinton or Obama pledged delegate. Clinton, I replied. How did I feel about the night’s speech? he asked. Proud, I said. Clinton hit all the right notes and said everything she needed to say; it was perfect. She strongly and enthusiastically endorsed Obama, and there was no tone of “it should have been me” anytime in her speech. She was gracious and committed to supporting Obama in the November election. The reporter asked if I was bitter that Hillary wasn’t the nominee, or the VP choice. No, I said. Clinton was my choice in the primary election, but she didn’t win that election. And that election’s over. In the upcoming election, there are two candidates, and Obama is my choice of those two candidates. I don’t think there’s room for bitterness now; it’s counterproductive. Too much to do to dwell on what might have been. And besides, Clinton is strong and serves well in the US Senate. I’m excited to see how she’ll serve next.

After Obama’s speech Thursday night, a reporter from Ireland asked what I thought. I’m inspired, and motivated, and heard more specifics tonight than before, I said. It’s been a campaign about change, and about hope, both honorable goals, but the topics of discussion–jobs, health care, the economy, education, taxes–are what Americans and Montanans talk about and worry about. I was glad to hear some of the hot-button issues addressed head-on. But, I said, as inspired and motivated and proud as I am, I’m fearful for Obama. When this country has had inspiring and charismatic and progressive leaders, they’ve been assassinated. They’re threatening to people who don’t want those same things, or changes from those leaders. I’m hopeful, but concerned. We’re a great nation; I hope we’re brave enough to make the changes to improve ourselves and our standing in the world.

Whew. What a marathon the Democratic National Convention was! I’m back home now, but I owe you an in-depth description of Barack Obama’s acceptance speech the last day of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, at Mile High Stadium (Invesco Field).

First, let me say how humbled and honored I was to go to the national convention. It was an amazing experience to see the political convention process and players. Thursday’s convention program had headliners of entertainment and politics, including Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder, along with Al Gore and Joe Biden.

One of the most amazing moments was the introduction of 23 US generals that oppose the war in Iraq. General Wesley Clark was among them, and with all the generals lined up on the stage, it was sobering to realize how many of us that completely support our military do not support the war in Iraq.

Barack Obama began his speech with, “With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.” It hearkened back to John F. Kennedy’s words when he accepted the nomination in 1960, and I looked around at the delegation to see if anyone else made the connection. Dennis McDonald did, and said to his seatmate, “That’s what Kennedy said when he accepted.” It was an important and grounding moment.

Obama’s campaign to date has promoted change and hope, both very worthy aims to be sure; but I was most pleased to hear some more specifics on issues in his speech. Now, that’s not to say that we heard a plan of action–the event wasn’t for lining out in-depth plans–but Obama did speak directly to a number of issues of importance to Montanans and Americans.

Obama described how it’s harder to work for a living wage, afford life’s necessities, and then said, “We are a better country than this.” He also said something to the effect that none of us is better than anyone else, a solid belief that was instilled in me by hard-working grandparents. I also believe that no one is above anything; anyone can wait tables, dig ditches (or firelines, like I did), or sweep; the class system that’s dividing the nation and making the middle class smaller and smaller while the very rich and very poor numbers grow must be corrected. Now, I believe that what you’ve earned is yours, but the ability of fewer and fewer people to better their situations is critical, and not at all American. Obama spoke well to the need to improve all our lots.

Obama honored John McCain and lauded his military and political service, but said, “The record’s clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.”

He went on to say, “I don’t believe that Senator McCain doesn’t care what’s going on in the lives of Americans. I just think he doesn’t know. Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year? How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than one hundred million Americans?”

I hear a lot about taxes when I talk to voters, especially since Bozeman has grown so much that land values have skyrocketed, and so have property taxes. I voted for property tax relief, and to eliminate the business equipment tax. I pay taxes just like everybody else, and each school mill levy, police and fire ballot initiative, and state program that needs funds, I pay into that. I’m glad to do it, because a society runs on communal effort, which is why not every home has its own fire engine. But tax breaks to the uberwealthy and to corporations who leave our shores, that’s got to change.

Basically, the belief that Obama echoed is one that I’ve held, and you’ve held, for a long time. “Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who’s willing to work. That’s the promise of America – the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper.”

America, and Montana, don’t work if each of us is selfish, and Montanans are the most generous, hard-working, gracious, selfless people I know. I think we accomplish more than most because we will work hard without need for flattery or affectation.

Obama spoke about improving tax laws, harnessing alternative energy, funding education, changing bankruptcy laws, providing health care for all Americans, and working toward equal pay for equal work. He gave more ideas and more specifics tonight than in the past campaign speeches, and I was glad to hear it.

The most to-the-point and on-target language for me was this: “We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don’t know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America’s promise – the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.”

These issues are the hot-button topics that CAN divide, but we shouldn’t let them. There are points of agreement on each of these issues, no matter how disparate the pro and con positions. We’ve spent too much time tearing each other down over single issues; now we need to find the common ground, improve what we can, and work on the hard stuff.

Obama, near the end of his speech, said, “This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores. Instead, it is that American spirit – that American promise – that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.”

Stand strong, everybody. There’s a new day coming, if we decide there is.

Photos of the night are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006367&l=b95d9&id=1002190929
and here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006309&l=a6324&id=1002190929

Tonight at Invesco Field (formerly Mile High Stadium), home of the Denver Broncos, Barack Obama accepted the nomination for President for the Democratic Party. The festivities began at 3 with Yonder Mountain String Band; throughout the evening, other great musicians played: Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, and Michael McDonald. Turned out that the rumors that Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen were wrong, but the artists who performed were great.

There were great speakers throughout the day, and some very memorable moments. Before Barack Obama took the stage, some citizens took the podium and told their stories. One was Barney Smith, from the heartland, who’d lost a union job in a factory, as had many of his friends. He was most powerful at the end of his statement, when he said that we need a president who’ll put the interests of Barney Smith ahead of Smith Barney.

Barack hit many points in his speech, and included issues of great importance to Montanans: taxes, health care, the economy.

I have hundreds and hundred of photos which I’ll upload tomorrow. I’m punchy now and can’t give you the whole lowdown; I’m running on about three hours of sleep nightly all this past week. Much more to tell you in the morning.

The acceptance of the presidential nomination is filled with pageantry and is beautiful to see, but it was also substantive tonight because of Barack Obama. His campaign, identified with the words “Hope” and “Change”, offered some specifics about foreign policy, tax relief, and education funding, and resonated with the crowd assembled and the crowd watching off-site.

More Friday, after I’ve slept and recharged the batteries!

This morning, Governor Brian Schweitzer talked to the delegation at the morning meeting, and the good Senator Jon Tester did, too. Yesterday, Senator Tester was with Barack Obama in Billings, MT, during Obama’s fifth visit to the state. Later, the Testers flew with Obama to Denver. Tester spoke about the economic state of the nation, and about energy–we need to develop, and can develop, alternative forms of energy, and we need to conserve–and about foreign relations, health care, and veterans services at the national level.

Later, Tester spoke with the women’s caucus; we expressed our gratitude for the mileage reimbursement increase for veterans traveling for medical care, and told him that a CHIP initiative on the ballot this November has wide support, and should relate support from the Montana electorate for better and more health care from the Congressional delegation.

I’m headed to the convention center soon for a panel discussion on the Supreme Court, recent court rulings, cases to be heard, and opinions on the shape of the court in the near future; then it’s over to Invesco Field for the last day of business, including Obama’s acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president. It’s been an incredible week, and all the delegates are tired but so excited. What we lose in sleep we gain in experiences! I think they run the convention for four days because if it went any longer, people would start dropping!

Much more later, from Invesco Field and the last day of proceedings from the Democratic National Convention in Denver! Stay tuned!