Big Sky Cairn

There are many accusations that could be levied against Governor Brian Schweitzer, but that he is not a shrewd politician is not among them. His actions are always well calculated - whether his goals are to get his smiling mug on TV, or to offer verbal support for things that he has no intention of supporting. Schweitzer is masterful with the media - and they swallow his BS hook-line-and-sinker.

Recently, the Governor’s compulsive need to get his likeness in the press overcame the pesky requirement to abide by Montana law. I’ve already blogged about this lapse in ethics, but there’s another aspect to this story that hasn’t been covered - one that’s even more revealing. A double-standard has emerged - one that seems to signify the presences of impropriety on another rather important matter.

In a convenient error, Montana Republicans filed the PSA complaint about Schweitzer’s PSAs as a political practices complaint instead of an ethics complaint. Erik Iverson claimed that it was a clerical oversight, but one wonders if there weren’t other motives since an ethics complaint would have been confidential - hidden from the people of Montana. The complaint was re-filed and the Governor protected by rules of confidentiality.

However, the Governor chose to waive that confidentiality.

Nonetheless, on Tuesday Schweitzer waived confidentiality at the Tribune Capitol Bureau’s request and made all records of the proceeding open to public inspection. Schweitzer, through his attorney, does not dispute the facts of the GOP complaint. He instead maintains that his actions were within the law, and therefore the GOP complaint is unwarranted.

The Governor, it seems, is convinced that he did nothing wrong and in light of that belief he demonstrates political aptitude by erasing the appearance of impropriety. I said before that sunlight and disclosure were the antidote to appearances of corruption - and the Governor understands this. His actions demonstrate his awareness that disclosure can make a political problem go away.

This of course begs a rather uncomfortable question for the Governor.

Governor Schweitzer has set a precedent of disclosure when he feels there is nothing to hide. If, as he claims, there is nothing to hide in the acquisition and spending of his constituency account, why has he not followed his own precedent and disclosed? Why the double standard?

If his constituent account is really above reproach, why won’t he follow his own lead and disclose?  What is the Governor hiding?

It is very interesting - Brian Schweitzer has always been a bit secretive when it comes to his money. Remember how he’s never disclosed his personal tax returns from any income derived from sources other than his salary as governor?

I do think there’s probably something in the constituent account that BS would just as soon the good people of Montana don’t ever know about.

I’m still waiting to see some tax returns from Roy Brown and Steve Daines. Anyone?

The post is about his constituency account - and Roy Brown doesn’t have one of those…

Brian Schweitzer has done to reform Helena and end the decades of influence by GOP lobbyists than any leader in recent memory.

Get real cairn.

Right Jackson - by turning Montana over to the leftist lobby - MEIC, MEA-MFT, the labor unions, et al - so we can return to those wonderful decades of the 70’s and 80’s. Helena didn’t need that kind of reform - and Montana can’t afford it. BS hasn’t done this state any favors - but he’s sure raised his personal profile on the national stage with all his preening and prattling in front of the cameras.