Let the bashing begin

God help us: The political season has truly begun.

The authors of two initiatives that have not yet qualified for the fall ballot have already filed suit about the state's handling of their proposals. The lawsuit, filed Monday, says ballot language approved by Attorney General Mike McGrath is biased and inaccurate.

Constitutional Initiative 97 is a proposed spending cap and Constitutional Initiative 98, which allows Montanans to attempt to recall judges for any reason, are asking a state judge to rewrite the language for both measures. CI-98 would allow Montanans to attempt to recall judges for any reason.

Supporters must collect about 44,600 signatures for each measure from registered Montana voters.

The authors of the spending cap say their initiative language shouldn't start by saying that the state constitution already requires a balanced budget. The authors are Republicans and the attorney general is a Democrat. There is some concerns about the judges' recall initiative language, also.

On the national level, Republicans are thanking Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin for suggesting that President Bush should be censured for his eavesdropping program.

GOP organizers say the threat of censure, or even impeachment, has garnered more excitement among the party faithful than anything else in months.

A growing number of political analysts are saying the Republicans are in danger of losing control over the House and the Senate because of government spending, growing violence in Iraq and intramural disputes over immigration. Combine that with the president's declining public approval in the latest polls and it makes for a tough campaign season for GOP candidates.

In reaction to the buzz created by talk of censure or impeachment, a Republican Party spokesman said it was raw politics and not about getting things done.

Which seems to be the mantra of both Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C.

There will be some great local shenanigans given that just about everyone is signing up to run for Justice of the Peace in Eureka and Libby, for county sheriff, for the commissioner's seat in Eureka presently held by Marianne Roose and for the legislative seat presently held by Ralph Heinert.

I didn't think that many people were out of work in Lincoln County.

If we grow bored with the upcoming baseball or football seasons, the election season ought to be a dandy. — Roger Morris