At the end of an incredibly historic week, I thought it might be nice to take a look back at the first time I saw Barack Obama in person.

Here's the video from President-Elect Barack Obama's visit to Missoula, MT. April 5, 2008. Mayor John Engen got it right when he introduced "The next President of the United States." 

Well, we're here! The big day!

I caught up with two (really) young Obama volunteers who are pumped! 

And a few steps away, Gerald "Brodie" Giebink makes a call to tell a voter where their polling place is. His partner, an older lady at the other end of the table calls him "an inspiration. He's just busy making calls.

Today I had the opportunity to meet both Candidates for state auditor. This can be a confusing choice for young people to make since the State Auditor is rarely in the news. What does the state auditor do?
 
Well, the State Auditor serves as our commissioner of insurance. They regulate insurance and protect Montana's consumers. And in this economy, where every dime is important, that's an important job. The Auditor also holds a seat on the State Land Board that manages state land, managing timber, surface, and mineral resources for the benefit of Montana's schools. The Board consists of Montana's top 5 elected officials. (Auditor, Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction.)
 
So do you have enough information to make your decision? Here are a couple short clips so you can meet the candidates:

Republican Candidate Duane Grimes

 
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How many days? 

Many Americans are counting down the days, the hours until the election of our lifetimes. And many young Montanans are making all these days and hours count. In the end, voter contact is key. So in the last week, many young Montanans are spending hours on the phone calling voters, and knocking doors to meet voters face to face and distribute campaign literature.

What does the last week before the election look like in Montana? Check out my video here: 

There's a lot of hype surrounding the Presidential Election this year. Young people are told, “This is a crucial decision.” You know it’s important, you know your voice will make a difference. But when you’re in the voting booth, you have several more important decisions to make.

Down ticket races, (sometimes called Tier B races) are also very important decisions you will have to make. And your vote is may be more crucial in these races. In 2006, three votes decided one of these races, for the Montana House of Representatives seat in Laurel. Those three votes have had a huge impact on the last two years. Three votes handed control of the House to Republicans, and they controlled committees, agendas, and won the right to have the Speaker of the House.  Every vote is important.

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Have you ever thought you couldn't make a difference in this world? That's never been a problem for 24 year old Megan Baumann. Two years ago, she and a friend decided to have a rock concert and donate the proceeds to the YWCA. That event has grown into Rock Against Racism, a one day festival of 14 bands, 20 nonprofit organizations, and a time for young people to come together and work torwards cutural change.

 Monday, October 6th is the last official day in Montana where you can register to vote in the November election. If you're passionate about voting in this election, and I certainly hope you are, then you better make sure you register by this day. If you missed it, we do have same-day voter registration in Montana, but there are some additional hoops that you have to jump through, but do it anyway! 
 
Are you a registered voter in Missoula, Butte-Silver Bow, Lewis and Clark, Deerlodge, Glacier or Hill counties? Have you moved in the last 18 months? If you answered yes to both of these que...

The definition of irony: having to pick a new 401(k) investment plan during the week of the country's biggest financial crisis in years. When I turn to a trusted friend to reassure me, she put it in perspective for me: "You can count on not having Social Security, so you better get to planning your retirement now."

I am sure I am not alone in worrying about my future. After several "good learning experiences" in my college education, I am strapped in student loan debt. I can't even begin to think about a mortgage to buy the sweet house I'm renting. (It would be a great place to start a family.) But I have a good job, right? And I'm secure in it? Well, I work in an industry that depends on consumer spending, so you be the judge.

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 Politics have invaded my workplace, and I’m pretty sure it’s all my fault. Every day, my boss and I have some sort of discussion on what just happened, and I seem to really have wound up the UPS man. It started so innocently. By the end of the conventions several co-workers were coming to me and we were having long, drawn out discussions about all things political.

During one such conversation, my colleague Kara told me that she was frustrated by the election coverage on TV. She laid out what she, as a voter, really wanted from the candidates.

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The conventions are over, the speeches have been given. The confetti has been swept up off the floor. In less than 60 days, voters will go to the polls to determine our fate, essentially. Any choice made in this election is going to have a profound impact on the future of the country. We stand at a crossroads with two very different paths ahead of us.

But what tools do voters have to make this important decision? All I’ve seen on TV in the last week is diversions, fights, bickering. I don’t care who said, “Lipstick on a Pig” first. I don’t want to hear it again.

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