MOTTO's perception of some winners and losers from the 60th Legislative session. 

Winners

• Governor Schweitzer - The Governor was so clearly the winner this session, its difficult to know where to start.  For openers, a majority of his "square deal" agenda passed.  The budget impasse allowed for fiscal restraint with every veto a media event.  He managed to squeeze a 10lb stream access bill into a 1 mm local government bill.  His demeanor following the Lange tirade will pay dividends throughout the election cycle.  Finally, he took full advantage of the 151st legislative seat provided by the democratic legislative leadership.
• Steve Daines - The Bozeman businessman gained attention for his giveitback.com website and ads critical of the Governor.  Now heralded by some as a candidate for Governor, this gimmick seems to have grown legs.
• Dept of Corrections - The DOC needed a boost and for the most part they received it. 
• Conservatives - the Conservatives in the House managed to gain key leadership posts & committee assignments, do little but pass the buck during the session, can the scapegoat, and stick true to their ideology in the end.  Can they really be proud of that?

Losers

• Mike Lange - You almost (just almost) feel sorry for the guy.  Can sympathy votes win a statewide election?
• Democratic Legislative Leadership - Its called "leadership" for a reason
• Dept of Revenue - Unlike DOC, the DOR had a difficult time promoting their needs and faltered
• Conservatives - the Conservatives in the House managed to gain key leadership posts & committee assignments, do little but pass the buck during the session, can the scapegoat, and stick true to their ideology in the end.  Can they really be proud of that?