Deficit

Progressive Groups: Polls Show Deficit Panic Is Republican Illusion

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 25, 2011, 8:41AM

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

A day after House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) confirmed that cuts to Medicare are a part of deficit reduction negotiations, progressives are out with new polling they say shows Democrats falling into a Republican trap.

The fresh numbers from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota jibe with what national polls have shown in the past: Americans are far more concerned about job creation than they are about deficit reduction. Progressives say that shows Democrats should be leaving the deficit panic to the GOP and getting back to an agenda that protects entitlements and stimulates job growth.

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Social Security

New Polling Says Overwhelming Majority Wants Social Security Left Alone

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 23, 2011, 8:44AM

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Ask the voters and they'll tell you: Social Security cuts are off the table when it comes to cleaning up the budget mess in Washington.

Fresh polling from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota published first by TPM show voters in the states overwhelmingly oppose any cuts to the Social Security entitlement program, even in the name of reducing the national debt. The coalition of progressive groups which sponsored the survey say the polls send a clear message to the Democratic Senate incumbents up for reelection in each state: cut Social Security and you'll incur the wrath of an angry electorate.

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Montana

Montana GOPer: Montana Should Officially Declare That Global Warming Is Awesome

Jillian Rayfield | February 17, 2011, 12:24PM

Rep. Joe Read (R-MT)

Montana State Rep. Joe Read (R) believes climate change is real, and it is spectacular.

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Bob Wagner

Montana State Rep On Obama Citizenship: 'I'm Not Qualified To Say' (Video)

Andrew Jones | February 16, 2011, 2:00PM

The birther movement isn't going away anytime soon. And a Montana state representative on CNN last night demonstrated the continued skepticism on the right about the legality of Barack Obama's presidency.

State Rep. Bob Wagner (R) appeared on Anderson Cooper to talk about his introduction of a "birther bill" in the his state's capital. The bill requires "documentary proof of the kind established by rule by the secretary of state that shows that the candidate has complied with the durational citizenship and residency requirements for the office as prescribed by the United States constitution."

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