House divided squabbles over speaker

HELENA - The governor's inauguration ceremony attracted a crowd that filled the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, but the day's drama was reserved for election of speaker of the House, a process that was dominated by Republicans despite a presumed advantage for Democrats.

Whitefish rancher Brian Schweitzer was sworn in as governor in a lively and colorful ceremony Monday, along with Montana's other top elected officials.

It was a day of promises for bipartisan cooperation, but the Capitol was already swirling with political maneuvering that undermined the presumed Democratic contender for House speaker.

In a House split 50-50, the party of the Democratic governor was supposed to prevail largely because of a long and contentious legal battle over election results in Lake County's House District 12.

Rep. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula, was the outright favorite in a Democratic caucus vote held Sunday night.

But with only three votes from his own party and the entire Republican caucus behind him, Rep. Dave Matthews, D-Miles City, was elected speaker.

Matthews is a teaching assistant at the Pine Hills Correctional Facility in Miles City.

Matthews was elected after Democrats failed in several strategic maneuvers on the House floor.

They attempted to close the speaker election after Wanzenreid had been nominated, but that move was rejected by Secretary of State Brad Johnson, a Republican, who presided as the temporary speaker. House Democrats all stood up in support of an appeal of Johnson's ruling, but they were denied.

Democrats then attempted to derail the Republican push by nominating a series of GOP legislators for speaker, but those who were nominated all declined the offer, leaving Wanzenried and Matthews as the only candidates.

The result was a 53-47 vote, with three Democrats supporting Matthews: Matthews himself, Rep. Emily Eaton, a freshman Democrat from Laurel, and veteran Rep. Jim Keane, D-Butte.

Keane nominated Matthews, saying he promised his support months ago, and he urged House members to back Matthews.

"We are not electing a leader of the House of Representatives today, we are electing a mediator," he said.

Keane said he followed through on his promise despite considerable pressure from fellow Democrats.

"I've watched what's happened and you will never know the pressure my own party put on me not to do this," Keane said in a fiery speech defying his fellow Democrats.

Matthews is considered a moderate Democrat, and among Republicans, he is regarded as being fair and approachable. By contrast, Wanzenreid was criticized by some Republicans as being a polarizing figure during past legislative sessions.

"Rep. Wanzenreid has been a lightning rod for the last two sessions," said Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse.

Brown said Wanzenreid had a reputation for berating the opposition on the floor.

Matthews, however, "is a calmer leader and he listens to reason. He doesn't vote a straight ticket and in a 50-50 House, we need that," Brown said.

Some Democrats bristled over the speaker fracas.

"This is not a good way to start this session … because we are being forced to accept leadership from the opposite side of the aisle," said Rep. Paul Clark, D-Trout Creek.

But Rep. Tim Dowell, D-Kalispell, took a pragmatic view, even though he had been selected by his caucus to serve in the honorary position of speaker pro tem, an appointment that may or may not hold up because of the 50-50 split.

"We're in uncharted territory here," Dowell said. "The reality is that from day one, we knew this is a divided House."

Later in the day, Wanzenried urged cooperation in the House.

"Are there going to be hard feelings about what's happened?" he asked. "I don't think so. And if anyone is going to have hard feelings, it should be me."

Then, at Wanzenreid's urging, House Democrats and Republicans crossed the aisle for handshakes and hugs.

The inaugural ceremony was highlighted by a bagpipe procession, a military color guard, a prayer led by Blackfeet tribal chairman Earl Old Person, and ceremonial drumming from seven Montana tribes.

Watching via satellite television connection was Bette Bohlinger, the wife of Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger. She is in a hospital in Billings being treated for acute leukemia.

"Bette, I just want to tell you this is a unique and historic day in our lives and I share it with you," Bohlinger said. "We thank God for what we think is the miracle of your healing."

After being sworn in, Gov. Schweitzer reiterated his theme of a "new day" in Montana, asking that lawmakers seek consensus and cooperation.

"Never forget who you work for," Schweitzer said to his cabinet. "You don't work for me. You don't work for yourselves."

Instead, he urged them to remember that they work for the people of Montana.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com