Schweitzer perfect storm continues
What started with David Sirota's "Top Billings" back in the Washington Monthly back in December is continuing with Mr. Matt Singer's "The Progressive Frontier" in In These Times. The Brian Schweitzer media machine marches on:
Since then, Democrats across the country have turned to Montana for answers and hope. Some critics denigrate Schweitzer's victory, claiming that a red-state Democrat must simply be a Republican lite. But that analysis falls flat: Schweitzer is a strong proponent of choice, as well as an advocate for the environment and for middle-class Montanans. And those who have seen the outspoken Schweitzer challenge the Bush administration in the press lately realize: Real Democrats, not faux Republicans, won in Montana.If Democrats can succeed this well in Montana, they can win anywhere. The question is how.
Which is exactly the point. Not, as RepublicanVet would put it, "stop crying" and "get behind the President," but actually being afraid of asking people what government can do for them.
He drove across the state, meeting people in rural areas and asking what they needed from government. Those discussions resulted in an agenda that included healthcare reform, economic development and a new approach to higher education with an increased emphasis on community colleges and technical schools. Schweitzer then took his new issue agenda and crossed the state again, giving speeches that never fell into wonk speak. Instead, Schweitzer ran on values, delivering a talk about his family homesteading in Montana, building a church and a community with their friends and neighbors. He talked about being a Bobcat (a graduate of Montana State). He talked about talking to people.
It is a good read. Good job, Matt.
Emmett O'Connell | July 13, 2005 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) |
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Comments
I think what many people forget (or just don't know) is that Bill Clinton won the state of Montana in 1992. While it went to Dole in the '96 election, that first Clinton victory leads me to believe that Montana, as well as Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico can slide back to the Dems with the right candidate.
Posted by: Wayne | Jul 15, 2005 6:48:08 AM
Wayne, Good point. Clinton carried CO but not AZ in 1992 and AZ but not CO in 1996. So CO could join the parade, too. And all this was without a Westerner on the Democratic ticket.
Posted by: Leo Brown | Jul 15, 2005 2:14:55 PM
As a libertarian, I wouldn't vote for Schwietzer myself, but from the outside looking in, I can see how he could easily become the Matt Santos of 2008. He's definately likable and might actually bring some excitement to voters who presently have an absolutely dreadful set of choices to look forward to...
Posted by: Seth | Jul 15, 2005 6:54:11 PM
Lol, thanks for the reference but the link under my name doesn't go to my blog or how you "quoted" me.
Posted by: Republican Vet | Nov 28, 2005 3:43:46 PM
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(and yes, we know that sometimes they're very, very wrong. Other times, they're right on.)
