Citizens wield the ultimate power

From leadership to watchdogs, Republicans have a new role in Helena.

And vice versa for Democrats, who now carry the burden of leading the state with plenty of challenges on their plate. Democrats now hold the governor's office, a sound majority in the state Senate and roughly even influence in the House.

So far, rhetoric from leaders in both parties is encouraging.

"We have to show proper restraint," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Big Sandy, who is the current Senate minority leader. "We've been in the minority for a while and there's people who will want to make changes yesterday… But once we get into the process, people will realize we're into this for the long haul and not just look two years down the road."

"We know what our role will be," said outgoing Senate President Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork. "We don't have to come up with the agenda. We don't have to be responsible. It's challenging to be in the majority because you're in charge, you've got to pull it off."

The Democrats are in the driver's seat, and we are eager to see how it all plays out. How will "quality education" be defined, for instance, in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that determined the current education funding system unconstitutional. How much will it cost, and how will the new majority cover that cost?

Will the Republicans cooperate or will they try to stall the Democratic agenda?

It all depends on what that agenda looks like. If Democrats - with the help of a Democratic governor who took office on a "moderate" platform - look out for Main Street business and taxpayers in general, then Helena politics might be warm and fuzzy in the coming legislative session.

But don't count on it. If Democrats attempt to repeal business equipment tax cuts, or pursue taxes on "big box" stores or soda pop, as they did during the last session, Republicans will fight back.

And fights could get particularly nasty in the Montana House, which will be split almost evenly between the two parties.

As usual, most folks in Montana will simply hope for sound decisions that help rather than crush the state's economy. If the new balance of power can pull that off, then it will be a successful session.

In any case, both parties should pay heed to the turnaround in the balance of power as represented by the 2004 elections. It is a clear warning from the voters that they have a long memory, and will eventually get even for mistakes made by the ruling party.

Republicans say redistricting may account for some of their losses, and that may be the case, but we suspect energy deregulation - and the many unpleasant ripples that followed it - was the 800-pound gorilla standing next to most voters when they walked into the voting booth this year.

The Republicans have been chastened. Now, let the Democrats beware.