Brian Schweitzer

[KittyWampus]

and his border collie Jag.

[anonymous171]

1. Schweitzer for VP!

[CTyankee]

12. I like him but isn't he a first term governor? Does he have any other government experience?

I think someone with more governing experience, as a balance to Obama's fresh presentation, would be ideal.

I'm not arguing for old retreads, just someone with a bit more experience in handling the reins of government. Kathleen Sebelius would be great, for instance.

Schweitzer has a wonderful future, IMO. I really like that he is a dem gov of a pretty repub state.

[tokenlib]

14. His resume is fascinating..and he is finishing his 1st term...

He has international experience with agricultural construction projects in Africa, Europe and the Middle East--speaks Arabic. Is very strong on individual rights. Has worked well with republicans as governor. Has interesting ideas on alternative energy.

[CTyankee]

18. Hey, fabulous guy. One of our new superstars.

I look to him for great things. And of course I love that he is from a former red state!

He is exactly what we need for our future. I just don't think, at this juncture, he is our perfect VP candidate. Let's set aside a good spot for him in the Obama cabinet or sub cabinet and let him do his thing and then emerge as a candidate later. That, I think, would be perfect.

Oh, well, here I am spinning great thoughts...who knows what is in store...

[stevedeshazer]

20. 1st term, and I have a personal story about him.

In the summer of 2004, my family were on vacation in Montana. We were at the Montana State Fair in Great Falls, completely by accident (not the Great Falls part, but we stumbled upon the state fair).

We were standing in line to get in to the feature of the night, the destruction derby (honk if you've ever seen one), and this big guy walks up to us, sticks out his hand at my wife, and says something like, "Hello, I'm Brian Schweitzer and I'm runnin' for Governor. I sure appreciate your vote this November!"

Well, Mrs. D and I looked at each other which silently meant, "Who the hell is this guy?" and Mrs. D said, "Well, we're just visiting, we're from Oregon", and the guy didn't miss a beat. He just smiled and boomed, "Welcome to Montana! Hope you folks enjoy your visit! I like Oregon!" and moved on.

He certainly made an impression. Enough so that I actually remembered his name and Googled him when we got home about a week later.

At the time, I had no idea who he was, whether he was a Democrat or a Republican or what. But the guy really stood out.

He got elected that year, and re-elected in 2006. I'm damned glad that he did.

I think he would make a damned good Vice-President.

True story.

on edit: had the year wrong, not the memory

[CTyankee]

21. Hey, nice story. He will be great in the cabinet for Obama.

VP is different. We don't need more of the "no experience" meme from McCain.

But, it's all good. Let's keep Brian on the side for some really heavy duty use...

[tokenlib]

2. V-P, V-P, V-P!!!

He should be near top of the short list.

I think the collective "WHO???" from most of the public would be funny if he were the pick..
I also think he is colorful enough to make a big positive splash.

[NC_Nurse]

3. He sounds like a great VP nominee to me. I hope he's on the short list.

:hi:

[KittyWampus]

4. I don't know if he's even married. I just like his puppy

;)

[Straight Shooter]

13. Yes, he is married.

:cry:

[XemaSab]

5. Border collies are awesome

If he had a cattle dog too, I would totally support him 100%.

The Naval Observatory needs more dingoes! :D

[BlooInBloo]

6. The dog is black! The dog is white!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68i4tMmv9F4

:rofl:

[XemaSab]

7. He takes his dog to work!

Okay, I'm at 80%.

He doesn't have a dingo though. :(

[KittyWampus]

8. if I had a dog that beautiful, I'd take it to work. Dingos aren't legal pets, are they?

[XemaSab]

10. Yeah, they're legal

but they're super rare.

Australian Cattle Dogs are a mix of dingo, ancestral collie, dalmatian, and bull terrier, in addition to a few other things... we've had two cattle dog mixes, and they're great pets.

[BlooInBloo]

19. If they don't eat your bay-bay.

EDIT: Typo.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. Looks like Porkbutt.

He's got my support.

[wellstone dem]

11. From conversations with the people of Montana

I think they believe that Jag is their dog.

[Bucky]

15. If he has a border collie, he might be soft on immigration

I definitely want to know more about this guy. Every thing I hear from him, I hear myself saying "It's about goddamned time!"

[tokenlib]

16. Interesting info on Schweitzer...

...for those unfamiliar with him.
http://stephencrosehome.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-vp-mt-gov-schweitzer.html

[gateley]

17. For those (like me) who think he'd be an excellent VP choice --

Please share your opinions and reasons at www.ohboyobama.com

It's kind of a 'grassroots think tank'. Don't know if Obama's campaign will check it at all, but it would be a great resource.

I was actually going to ask anonymous for some key points to post there.

And if you guys don't want to, just give me some points and I'll do it! :hi:

PS -- most of the VP suggestions are in the Policy forum.

I was going to suggest a VP/Cabinet Suggestions forum, but can't figure out how to get an e-mail to the powers that be there. Again, any help...

[undeterred]

22. He says his dog doesn't like the smell of Washington.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

23. I like him, and he would be a good contrast with Obama, I just don't think he helps the map.

[KittyWampus]

24. First, let me address the notion ANY candidate can "deliver" a state. That is the most overused line

and IMO it's almost sophomoric. The notion Webb can "deliver" Virginia. Sounds good, but in reality it just isn't bankable.

There may only be 3 electoral votes from Schweitzer's state but he is known in his region and would speak to rural states as well.

[tokenlib]

25. Schweitzer would reinforce Obama's concern for the West..

..and would help in the more purple states like New Mexico and Colorado.. I'm not going to say he'd carry any states--but the message would be a good one.

[Skwmom]

26. He'd reinforce Obama being AUTHENTIC.

The VP will HELP TO DEFINE Obama (he is still a big unknown for many). Tapping someone who voters would view as the typical fake politician (e.g., Rendell or Strickland) would be a mistake.

[KittyWampus]

27. thin line between "experience" and "political hack".

[thoughtcrime1984]

28. Link to info about Schweitzer's political beliefs

http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=40832#530

He is for the death penalty, is pro-choice, and strongly supports the right to bear arms. Interesting read.