Schweitzer shows reporter e-mail begging him to run for Prez

This is interesting.

Schweitzer, who dished on Washington politics with Lou Dobbs on CNN two weeks ago, railed against the cozy relationship between politicians and lobbyists, and told viewers that he has to wash the "stink" off every time he leaves the nation's capital.

His candid remarks prompted Americans from all corners of the country to send him e-mails of adoration. ...

Chris Novota of Colorado Springs urged Schweitzer to consider higher office. Schweitzer is Montana's first Democratic governor in 16 years, and took the reins of office from former Gov. Judy Martz, a Republican.

"Please consider running for president of the United States, please!" Novota wrote. "It's folks like you that give me hope for the future of this great nation."

Schweitzer downplayed the e-mails, and said people pushing him to run for president need to "stop smoking those pinecones." He said Americans are just reacting to his candor.

"I think what they're responding to is that it's refreshing for a political figure to answer a straight question with a straight answer," Schweitzer said. "It's just unusual on the national scene."

The big question is, how did the reporter, Allison Farrell, get her hands on these e-mails? Obviously, Schweitzer himself showed them to her. Would he be showing around to the press e-mails urging him to run if he weren't actually considering it? I think not.

One person who disagrees with me about Schweitzer's ability to score nationally is none other than Professor Craig Wilson of MSU-Billings, whom I've quoted before:

"He's hit the mother lode of populism here," Wilson said Tuesday. "Yes, it's touched a popular nerve, but it's a stretch to say this means he has a role on the national stage."

The article also notes that "Schweitzer will again be on Lou Dobbs' show Thursday, which runs 4 p.m.-5 p.m. MST on CNN." You can bet I'll be watching.