Look west Democrats gets even more play

Here's yet another Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer profile. After digesting this, any reader will have a better understanding that the Dems have a national winner in the Big Sky State, one who will play well throughout this country if the opportunity arises.

The Kerrys, the Bidens and the like need to set their respective egos aside, settle in as elder statesmen and understand that there is a new Democratic Party nowadays filled with members who demonstrate the ability to not only connect but represent everyday people.

Dems look to Big Sky
By Karen E. Crummy
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com
11/25/2006

Helena, Mont. - In a state where voters backed a Republican candidate in nine of the past 10 presidential elections, Democrats suddenly find themselves in control of almost everything.

In the past two years, the party has taken control of the governor's office, the state Senate, and - depending on a Tuesday recount - has maintained a split in the state House. In the November general election, the party's U.S. Senate candidate also beat an entrenched Republican incumbent.

That makes Montana a political laboratory for national Democrats trying to determine what elements are needed for retaking the White House in 2008.

And when sorting through the reasons Democrats have taken hold in a conservative state, fingers frequently point first at Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Midway through his first term, Schweitzer, a relative political newcomer, is a self-described "pickup-driving, God-fearing, gun-toting, red-meat-eating, take-responsibility-for-my-actions, invest-in-education kind of Democrat..."

..."He's that rare, high-energy individual that has 'the thing.' That Bill Clinton-Barack Obama thing," said Jerry Calvert, a political science professor at Montana State University.

He's a 6-foot-2-inch back- slapping, bear-hugging guy's guy who gave his wife a revolver for her birthday and takes his dog to the office - every day. He's also a calculating politician who chose a Republican for his running mate, and an expert on renewable resources, a master's degree holder and an Arabic speaker.

Go here to read the rest.

Brian Schweitzer does it again

Here's a little something I posted Thursday at another blog I maintain:

Not to take anything at all away from Jon Tester and his close victory over incumbent Conrad Burns but it simply wouldn't have happened without the emergence of Brian Schweitzer two years ago as Montana Governor.

Tester is going to be a tremendous United States Senator and such a refreshing change--a public official who will represent the middle class residents of the Big Sky state rather than the interests of the K Street pimps in D.C. Simply note this charming item from a Washington Post article dated November 9: "...Tester, who was running farm chores Thursday morning, picking up a barrel of oil in Great Falls on the way to his grain farm in Big Sandy..."

Schweitzer campaigned heavily for Tester, stamping Tester as one of his political kin and Schweitzer's sky-high approval rating in Montana obviously helped. Beating an incumbent is always difficult--it usually takes some extraordinary circumstances or events to do so--even a sap laden with Jack Abramoff dealings and offering at least one ludicrous verbal gaffe a week. In addition to Tester's 'one-of-us' appeal, the credibility Schweitzer offered to Tester is what closed the deal.

Although some will say New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is THE political heavyweight for Democrats in the Mountain West/Southwest, I beg to differ. Schweitzer has been one of the primary components in Montana's emergence as a blue state on the political map--a tremendous statewide accomplishment--while Richardson has been leading a state that has contained elements of 'blueness' all along. As for the future, Schweitzer offers a freshness and an ability to connect with common folk that Richardson, despite his arsenal of skills and abilities, cannot match electorally.

Yes, to my chagrin, it is too early in his political career to get Schweitzer on any sort of national bandwagon for 2008 but definitely follow THE Man in Montana. He's been one of the foremost components in demonstrating to the D.C. Dems that the Mountain West/Southwest is no longer a GOP stronghold. Schweitzer, and others, have broadened the ranks of the Democratic Party and that's a lot more than many of the more media-prominent D.C. Democrats can ever claim.

A You-Tube Brian Schweitzer + Jag boost for Jon Tester

Below is a fine You-Tube political ad featuring Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and his trusty sidekick Jag, in support of Jon Tester.