New Proposed Group - BRIAN SCHWEITZER - Gov. of Montana

[ruggerson]

Brian Schweitzer is a straight talking, rising star in Democratic politics. The Governor of Montana is mentioned as a possible contender for either the top or bottom part of the ticket in '08.

As such, I'd like to propose a group to monitor and discuss anything and everything relevant to Brian Schweitzer. Per DU rules, I need ten people to agree to co sponsor this, so I'm hoping that there's ten of you out there. :) Please reply to this message if you are interested.

Mission Statement for Brian Schweitzer group:


The "Brian Schweitzer" group will be a forum to report on news concerning the Governor and to encourage a broad range of discussion about him, including: his character, his philosophy, his administration and any possible run for higher office.

[liberaliraqvet26]

1. Everything i've seen about him has been great!!

Run Brian..

[Klapaucius]

2. Is this the same guy?

Talking about conversion of coal into diesel?

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/08/02/build/state/25-coal-fuel.inc

I'd support him for VP, at the very least.

I'd like to see a Clark/Schweitzer ticket in '08. One that's actually served in the military, and one that's actually thinking about ways to reduce reliance on Middle East oil.

I've lurked here a long time, but consider this a vote in your favor for establishment of the forum.

K.

[xxqqqzme]

21. yep - that position

gives me pause - we don't need 2 B strip mining the country 2 feed hummers.

[ruggerson]

3. Here's another interesting piece about him:

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2240/

<snip>

Last November 2, as progressives watched state after state turn red in the presidential race—and in Senate races that were supposed to be close—something funny was happening in Montana. The state that went for Bush by 20 percent handed a solid victory to a new Democratic governor, 49-year-old rancher Brian Schweitzer...

<snip>

[ruggerson]

11. kick

[Pirate Smile]

4. Good idea. He is a very interesting guy.

Here is a recent article on him and John Kerry:

Kerry visits Schweitzer on tour

HELENA - U.S. Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, stopped by the Capitol on Thursday to visit with Gov. Brian Schweitzer as part of a national "listening tour" but deflected any questions about running for president in 2008.



-snip-
Schweitzer, meanwhile, put in a pitch for his proposal to convert Montana coal into liquid fuel through a process known as Fischer-Tropsch to reduce, if not end, U.S. dependence on foreign oil. U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., put some tax incentives for the process in the recently enacted energy and highway bills.

The Massachusetts senator, who never campaigned in Montana during his presidential bid, raved about Montana's splendor.

-snip-
As Schweitzer gave Kerry a tour of the Capitol, they stopped in front of the bronze sculpture of the late Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and his wife, Maureen. Kerry called Mansfield "a great man" whom he had always admired.

Later, Schweitzer took off his "It's a new day in Montana" bolo tie and gave it to Kerry, who immediately put it on. Schweitzer's only condition was that Kerry had to wear it on the Senate floor, which Kerry happily agreed to do.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/08/12/build/state/45-kerry.inc

edit to add - count me as one of the 10.

[nickshepDEM]

5. Im in.

[Pirate Smile]

6. Here is another blog which links to many interesting articles on

Schweitzer. (I started to just use his initials but BS for a guy who is generally a no BS man seems rather ironic).

Montana's governor is not a Defense Democrat! (update)
Salon's feature article (free day-pass required) today is an interview with the progressive governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer. I've blogged about Schweitzer before because I find it interesting how he won in such a Bush-supporting state. How did he get gun-totin', meat eating "red staters" to vote for him? It's simple: People who tote guns need health insurance too. They want to make enough money to feed their families and put their kids through school. Most importantly Schweitzer believes in his heart, and it shows, that people who work hard should not be denied these basic principles in life.

Instead of trying to triangulate he stands up for what he believes and is willing to suffer the consequences of loss:

The most conservative voters will not even give me a shot. I don't need 100 percent of the vote. Just do the right thing, for God's sake. And if that means I'm only going to be governor for the next three and a half years, so be it. Just tell 'em who are you are, tell 'em what you believe in, and tell 'em in a way that they're gonna believe you.

And instead of politicking around in the state legislature, Schweitzer is proving himself to be a go-to guv who gets things done:

We've gotten just about everything I've wanted: a scholarship program, a healthcare program, a prescription drug program. We passed five bills -- five med-mals! -- no tax increases, some economic development bills that are very cool, and a "best and brightest" scholarship program, so every middle-class family in Montana finally can attain the dream to send the next generation to college.

What's so appealing about Schweitzer is he's truly a What you see is what you get kind of politician. As Daily Kos has noted, Schweitzer "is a genuine version of Bush's fake ranch." Nice!

If urban-progressive Oregonians feel disconnected from rural Oregon, it's only because we've taken the bait. Schweitzer proves that rural Westerners have the same concerns about healthcare, jobs, conservation and education as urban dwellers do. Urban small businesses are just as threatened by Wal-Mart as rural ones are. In fact, Schweitzer targeted the big-box stores in his campaign because they've been such a detriment rather than a boon to Montana's economy. Small businesses responded and voted for him.

The most important thing here is that Schweitzer is not a defence Democrat. Instead of responding to the conservative agenda, he pushes it aside by getting his message out and getting the support he needs to get things done.

Update: The lefty blogosphere is loving the Salon interview with Schweitzer. From Western Democrat we get this choice quote:

Its telling that the thing Montana Republicans hate about him most is what is drawing national Democrats to him: his bad-ass attitude. That should tell you something, there is nothing that GOPsters hate more than a Western Democrat with an attitude.

http://newframes.typepad.com/new_frames/2005/04/montanas_govern.html

[ruggerson]

7. Very cool

Thanks, PS, I love this:

What's so appealing about Schweitzer is he's truly a What you see is what you get kind of politician. As Daily Kos has noted, Schweitzer "is a genuine version of Bush's fake ranch."


We need eight more co sponsors and counting (co sponsors must have donor stars, according to DU rules).

[Pirate Smile]

9. I counted four of us with stars and liberaliraqvet26 needs a star.

Frequently, people seem to like to donate stars to people, sometimes anonymously.

We need to get liberaliraqvet26 a star.

Klapaucius also needs one.

[ruggerson]

15. I think we're up to six now...

[ruggerson]

16. kick

[ruggerson]

23. kick

[greendog]

8. Count me in!

n/t

[ruggerson]

10. Great

four and counting, six more to go

[JNelson6563]

26. I'm in too!

I've read much interesting and encouraging stuff about this guy.

Julie

[ruggerson]

27. thanks Julie!

we're almost there

[Senator Lamb]

12. this is the kinda guy we neeed

many think that in order to appeal to red states you need to go the middle way or the third way. but its all about the appearance and feel you give the voters. it really is about culture. if you are plain talking, honest, have strong opinions, appear strong "and manly" and appeal to common sense and pragmatism you can do good even if you are a liberal. Clinton

its the vibe that one is elitist and superior and just "doesnt get them" that troubles Democrats, liberal , conservative, DLC etc...

Clinton as a DLC'er got this, and Schweitzer as moderate liberal populist, if he runs will get this.

[flaminbats]

13. a likely candidate I'll need to know more about!!

Where does he stand specifically on universal healthcare, reducing the national debt, and ending this disaster in Iraq? Count me in as another co sponsor.

[dogman]

14. David Sirota, formerly with CAP, was involved in his campaign.

He used to guest report on Franken and BS has been a guest on Franken. Sirota has moved to Montanna to help establish a new grassroots project.

[TumorSupressor]

17. count me in too.

been wathcing him for awhile and I think he is a good possibility.

[BlueStateModerate]

18. Yes

This guy is awesome. I would proudly vote for him in 2008, but 2012 is more realistic.

[ruggerson]

19. We're at six votes and counting

In order to initially set this up, they only count folks with donor stars.

Glad to hear there are a lot of us interested in hearing more about this guy!

Keep this kicked until we have the ten votes.

[manly]

20. Gov. Schweitzer

I have been mentioning his name whenever appropriate.I think he's the most interesting politician around, and I'd like to know a lot more about him. He seems to speak the truth, and let the chips fall where they may.
I'm with you.

[election_2004]

22. Schweitzer in '08 is a pipe dream

Sorry folks, but there are no "magic bullet" presidential candidates for 2008.

Not Hillary, not Gore, not Obama, not Feingold, and not Schweitzer.

Brian Schweitzer will be running for reelection to his second term as Governor of Montana in 2008.

By the time most serious candidates will need to announce their presidential exploratory committees in early-2007, Schweitzer will barely have been Governor of Montana for even two years!

The earliest Schweitzer could potentially run for president would be 2012, or, more realistically, 2016.

Keep your eyes on him for a future presidential race, but forget about putting him on the ticket in 2008.

[BamaLefty]

24. I'd Have To Agree

He might be my man in '08. Seriously.

[ruggerson]

25. thanks Bama

you make eight. Two more to go!

[BamaLefty]

28. You Might Find

two big Schweitzer supporters in the Montana forum. Good luck. :)

[ruggerson]

29. We're up to nine now, I think

and that's a good idea, i'll check in there :)