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octoberlib

(14,971 posts)
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 03:30 PM Apr 2013

Ex-Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer will consider campaign to replace Baucus

Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) told The Hill on Tuesday he will consider a run for retiring Sen. Max Baucus' (D-Mont.) seat but won't decide until after May 2.

"I'm the kind of guy that, when I see a broke-down pickup, I'll get out with my tools and try to fix it, and I can tell you looking at Washington, D.C., from Montana, there is no bigger broke-down pickup than the Senate in Washington, D.C.," Schweitzer said in an interview, when asked if he was looking at a run to replace Baucus, who announced his retirement Tuesday morning.

Schweitzer, who left office earlier this year, remains popular in the state. His approval rating was 56 percent in a February survey from Public Policy Polling, with 37 percent disapproving.
He'd likely be Democrats' best chance at holding the seat in the Republican-leaning state.




Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/295539-schweitzer-says-hes-considering-senate-run#ixzz2RJgG1v3g
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Ex-Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer will consider campaign to replace Baucus (Original Post) octoberlib Apr 2013 OP
I sincerely hope he does Warpy Apr 2013 #1
Why did he leave office? cilla4progress Apr 2013 #2
Term limits [n/t] Proud Public Servant Apr 2013 #4
Run, Brian, Run! CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2013 #3
Its our best hope to keep the seat AND e would be an excellent addition to the mossbackers Rowdyboy Apr 2013 #11
YES ! btw...what's a "hide-bound" senate? Laura PourMeADrink Apr 2013 #13
Find someone anti-gun. Find someone better. And if he runs, make him pledge 18 years graham4anything Apr 2013 #5
we don't know how schweitzer would vote on the background checks bill. Has anybody asked? CTyankee Apr 2013 #6
I believe he is pro-gun. On another thread someone posted an old quote. graham4anything Apr 2013 #7
I know he is pro-gun but he seems reasonable and it doesn't mean he wouldn't want CTyankee Apr 2013 #8
It's Montana. There is no one "better" that would be Jennicut Apr 2013 #15
This article says Schweitzer favors background checks Kennah Apr 2013 #9
Please please please please please... eom tarheelsunc Apr 2013 #10
If I lived in MT, he'd have my vote. DEMTough Apr 2013 #12
He should do more than consider it. Arkana Apr 2013 #14
Run Brian Run! n/m Rosco T. Apr 2013 #16

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
1. I sincerely hope he does
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 03:36 PM
Apr 2013

because he's a progressive who runs as a progressive and gets elected.

I also know he despises DC, so we'll see whether or not he's able to hold his nose and do it.

Rowdyboy

(22,057 posts)
11. Its our best hope to keep the seat AND e would be an excellent addition to the mossbackers
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 01:54 AM
Apr 2013

in the current senate. He's a definite two-fer for our side. Really hope he runs

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
6. we don't know how schweitzer would vote on the background checks bill. Has anybody asked?
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 04:10 PM
Apr 2013

Maybe we could get some kind of answer...we certainly don't want to get another Dem who voted the way Baucus did.

I must say I do like Schweitzer. I remember back in 05 Al Franken had him on his radio show and he was very good...

 

graham4anything

(11,464 posts)
7. I believe he is pro-gun. On another thread someone posted an old quote.
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 04:20 PM
Apr 2013

Whether he can be a team player is important too.

But if he or she (if there is another candidate) is anti-gun, there is automatic funding to defeat the NRA.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
8. I know he is pro-gun but he seems reasonable and it doesn't mean he wouldn't want
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 04:49 PM
Apr 2013

background checks. Even some NRA members support background checks, as the organization itself did back in the day...

Jennicut

(25,415 posts)
15. It's Montana. There is no one "better" that would be
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:59 AM
Apr 2013

elected there. I live in Connecticut but recognize that the Repubs in my state are in many ways less conservative on many issues then the Dems in Montana. Schweitzer is good on many other issues besides gun control.

DEMTough

(90 posts)
12. If I lived in MT, he'd have my vote.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 02:13 AM
Apr 2013

I've seen him on Real Time with Bill Maher before, I liked him. He'd be a nice replacement for the anti-single-payer Baucus, since Schweitzer supports single-payer. Where Baucus was one of the corporate lobby's best friends, Schweitzer is inspired by former Senator Paul Wellstone. This is a candidate in a good, left direction. We need more like him to run in all of these red states.

Progressives are already lining up behind him.

Go Brian!

Arkana

(24,347 posts)
14. He should do more than consider it.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 08:36 AM
Apr 2013

He should do it.

Schweitzer in the Senate? A dedicated single-payer advocate and a genuine liberal with a cowboy streak? He'd be a huge hit.

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