Hey, Montana... is Sen. Burns going to quit the race?

[VolcanoJen]

This is fascinating stuff...

Poll: Burns struggling in race

HELENA - If U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns drops out of the race, either Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg or former Gov. Marc Racicot would instantly hold big leads over the top two Democrats against whom Burns is struggling, a poll released Monday shows.

Rumors are swirling around Montana political circles that Burns might drop out of the race before Thursday's filing deadline. That, the rumor goes, would clear the way for Rehberg to jump into the Senate race instead of running for a fourth House term.

[AX10]

1. Burns better stay in.

If it is so that Rehberg and Racicot hold "big leads" over the Democratic challengers, that tells me that Montana has learned very little from their past experience of electing Republicans. I hope that is not the case.

[VolcanoJen]

5. Very interesting

As a midwesterner, I was surprised to read that Dems even had a chance at taking a Montana seat, honestly.

[cally]

2. I hope he stays in

I want the electorate to know what these crooks have been up to. I don't think it will be covered in the press unless he runs which makes it likely he won't.

[swag]

3. Some MT Dems here don't think a Rehberg lead would persist

and don't think Racicot would run:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2526017

[havocmom]

4. We should start asking if Racicot is between lobbyist jobs now

And talk up his ENRON then bush/cheney 04 gigs. He left this place nearly bankrupt and went to work for big energy. Might be good to start reminding people about all that.

Denny, isn't his family having some lawsuit trouble re land developement? Isn't he the guy who doesn't do much but help tote that GOP rubber stamp for bush/cheney bad policy? Yep, time to start working or refreshing some memories about him too.

[SteppingRazor]

6. I really don't think so...

I mean, it's possible -- Burns is 73 years old, IIRC, so he could always retire. But I really don't think it likely. First, Racicot has said time and again he wouldn't run -- and has even said he wouldn't run in an open seat.

Second, Montana has been trending Democratic throughout the last several election cycles. Both of its state congressional houses recently flipped to Democratic majorities, and of course the governorship recently went to a Democrat as well. At this stage in the game, Racicot might have a chance, been Rehberg simply doesn't have the funds. Both Tester and Morrison have already had months to fundraise and -- even with the close primary -- would enjoy a huge fundraising lead over Rehberg. And the fact is, when a Democrat holds a huge cash lead (a fairly rare occurance in any state) the Dem. almost always wins. Given that, and Montana's Democratic trend, I don't think Rehberg would stand a chance. Burns' people are just as aware of this as an armchair political junkie like me, and know that Burns enjoys both a previous fundraising effort and the incumbent advantage. So, although behind in the polls at this point, he's still the best hope for the GOP in Montana, and the GOP knows it.

Just my opinion though.

[AX10]

7. I hope you are right.

[Blue Poppy]

8. I went to college with Marc Racicot's daughter...

he even spoke at our commencement.

She was a stuck up skank