Daines v. Schweitzer Looking More And More Likely

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 20, 2013 | 6 Comments

DainesRepresentative Steve Daines is still mulling a (second) run for the U.S. Senate, according to The Hill.  This comes just as we’ve learned that former Governor Schweitzer has been elected Chair of the Stillwater Mining Company’s Board of Directors.  Schweitzer’s success with the Montana mining company is sure to heighten speculation that he is running for the U.S. Senate.

The Hill points out that 2014 may be Daines only chance to become a U.S. Senator – “Republicans in the state point out that 2014 may be his best chance to win, given that the last open Senate race in the state was in the late ’70s.”

Mario Trujillo, who authored today’s piece in The Hill, points out that Schweitzer could keep Daines out of the race.  “The decision for Daines and other Republicans to enter the race could ultimately hinge on Brian Schweitzer, who is seen as Democrats’ best hope of retaining the red-state seat if he runs.”

However, Daines is clearly the strongest candidate the GOP has to offer for the U.S. Senate.  Yes, if the election were held today, Schweitzer would best Daines.  However, Daines is the only (realistic) GOP candidate who would be in arms reach.  As we’ve pointed out before, when Schweitzer announces, Daines will be under intense pressure from national Republicans and his friends in the state (Rick Hill, Roy Brown, etc.) to enter the race.

It’s no secret that Daines is remains interested in the U.S. Senate.  During a 2012 debate against Democrat Kim Gillan, Mike Dennison asked Daines if he was using the U.S. House as a “stepping stone” for a U.S. Senate run.  Daines side stepped the question, but his continued interest in the “upper Chamber” was clear.

Only time will tell if Daines is willing to get in the pit with Schweitzer.
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Schweitzer Likely To Win Senate Race

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 17, 2013 | 3 Comments

Governor-Brian-SchweitzerChris Cillizza, writer of The Fix, wrote today in The Washington Post that, “we expect the former Montana governor to run for (and likely win) the open Montana Senate seat in 2014.”  Cillizza goes on to hails Schweitzer’s “natural charisma and ability to effectively talk about ‘those people in Washington’…”

Like Cillizza, we expect Schweitzer to jump in the race, as well – likely after the next filing period.  And Schweitzer is definitely the favorite – only Daines could make it a somewhat interesting race.

Earlier this year, Chris Cillizza named Montana Street Fighter one of “The Best State-Based Political Blogs” in the country.

Steve Daines Lies About White House Tweet

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Daines CSPAN Twitter

Today, Steve Daines took to the floor of the U.S. House to throw a temper tantrum over the White House’s “arrogance. of. power.”  #ObamacareInThreeWords is a new hashtag being used by Twitter users to talk about the historic healthcare reform law that was passed and signed into law three years ago.  Since it became law, House Republicans have voted thirty-six times to repeal the ACA.

The White House has been using it’s official Twitter account to highlight some of the benefits of the law.  Examples include:

No lifetime limits. #ObamaCareInThreeWords

Birth control covered #ObamaCareInThreeWords

Young adults covered —> http://at.wh.gov/l6H7I  #ObamaCareInThreeWords

And the list goes on.  The White House also tweeted “It’s. The. Law. #ObamaCareInThreeWords, pic.twitter.com/yCHSmuxkKj”  A not so subtle hint to the House GOP that they are out-of-touch and need to move on.  This Tweet sent Daines into a rage.  Too bad he misread the quote or purposefully changed it’s wording when addressing the U.S. House of Representatives.

ObamacareTweet

“ONE HOUR AGO, THE WHITE HOUSE TWEETED BACK AND SAID THIS, ‘BECAUSE. IT’S. LAW.’ WELL! I HAVE THREE WORDS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, ‘ARROGANCE. OF. POWER!” Daines screamed.  Who knew a thing like Twitter could get under Daines’ skin so easily?  He sounded like a teenager who misread a text and then went running up to his room to cry into his pillow.

Harry Reid: Steve Daines Is Insane

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Daines Montana

“The great Albert Einstein defined insanity as follows: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” Senator Harry Reid on the floor of the U.S. Senate, yesterday.  He was referring to the U.S. House voting to repeal Obamacare for the 37th time.

“We are the voice of the people,” said Montana’s Steve Daines during an interview with U.S. News and World Report.   Daines went on to say that he would be voting to repeal Obamacare for the 37th time because freshman Representatives like himself have the “freshest perspectives.”

Only in D.C. voting to repeal a piece of legislation for the 37th time considered “fresh.”  In Montana, it’s called “bat crap crazy.”

Michele Bachmann Is Moving To Montana?

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 15, 2013 | 1 Comment

A writer at Daily Kos is “reporting” that Representative Michele Bachmann is moving to Montana.

Rep. Bachmann announced this morning, that she is moving to Montana with her husband Marcus.  ”Marcus and I spent a prayerful night on our knees” said GOP Representative at a press conference in St. Cloud, MN, the main city in her congressional district.   “…and this Homosexual Marriage law will turn the Twin Cities into Sodom and Gomorrah on the Mississippi.”

It’s likely that the diary’s author has been taken for a ride by the Daily Currant – a satirical online newspaper similar to The Onion.
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Staying In The Limelight

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 13, 2013 | 1 Comment

Last Friday evening, former governor Schweitzer spent the evening “courting” union leaders at the AFL-CIO Convention Dinner.  A few people thought he might announce a run for Senate, but that was naive for them to think.

It’s highly doubtful Schweitzer will make an announcement before the beginning of the next reporting period.  In the mean time, he can continue to bask in the limelight of the state and national media while pundits drool over his possible candidacy.

By waiting to announce, he also slows other candidates from jumping in and raising money.  However, if Brian does announce, it’s hard to imagine Daines won’t be the focus of intense pressure for him to run, since he clearly is the best shot the Republicans have to take on Schweitzer.

Until Brian does announce, we can expect to see a lot more of this:

Brian Poll

Brian Touts Poll
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The Maddow Expose Everyone In Montana Missed, But Needs To See

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 11, 2013 | 0 Comments

Northwest Montana is once again in the news for being home to white supremacists.  Skip to minute 2.  Rachel Maddow draws s direct and unrefuttable connection between white supremacists in Whitefish, MT and the Republican Party and Heritage Foundation.  A must watch.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Whitefish 1 Whitefish 2

 

Tim Fox Running Digital PSAs

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 10, 2013 | 0 Comments

Not today’s most exciting news, but Attorney General Tim Fox is running digital PSAs on sites like Youtube.  The PSAs promote a website called IKnowEverything.com.  ”I Know Everything” is a campaign aimed at educating parents on how to promote safer driving habits with their teens.  It’s a good cause, but we’re not sure how the patronizing name will be recieved by younger Montanans.

Attorney General Tim Fox has been floated as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate, but it’s much more likely he goes in for a rematch against Governor Steve Bullock.

Screen Shot 2013-05-10 at 10.18.23 PM
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It’s Not “Will,” It’s “When”

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 9, 2013 | 3 Comments

Since Senator Baucus announced his retirement, the question has quickly shifted from “will Schweitzer announce?” to “when will Schweitzer announce?”

Following Baucus’ surprise announcement, a “Draft Schweitzer for Senate” wave swept through the progressive community.   Schweitzer, who in the past has said he would be hesitant to run for U.S. Senate again (Schweitzer ran for the Senate in 2000), has been noticeably more open to the idea.

Most pundits are calling him the favorite if he were to run, which would mean holding onto one more U.S. Senate seat in what may be a tough year for Democrats.

Schweitzer and his staff have also been touting polls showing him as the favorite in addition to commentary urging Mr. Schweitzer to throw his hat in the ring.

This weekend, Schweitzer will be the keynote at the Montana AFL-CIO convention.  It’s unlikely he announces a run for the U.S. Senate there, but the question is no longer “will,” it’s “when.”  Schweitzer could drag out making an announcement in order to prevent others from jumping in the race and raising money.  Also, by taking his time to announce, Schweitzer stays in the spot light so that when he does announce the volunteers and checks are sure to pour through the door and into the P.O. Box.

It would be surprising to see the former Governor announce before early summer, but we are no strangers to being surprised by Brian.
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Republicans Desperate To Draft Racicot

By Montana Street Fighter, on May 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

A newly launched website further demonstrates how worried Republicans are about the U.S. Senate race in Montana.  “Draft Marc Racicot” provides visitors with bio of Montana’s disgraced ex-Governor (*cough* deregulation *cough*), allows supporters to sign-up for updates, and sports a poorly designed blog.  They also have an awesome Twitter account.

Their first (and only) post was published on May 3rd and doesn’t pull any punches:

If you are a Republican in Montana, don’t be delusional. Here are a some realities you better get through your head:

  1. There is no way Steve Daines will give up his House seat to risk losing to Brian Schweitzer.
  2. Denny Rehberg’s lobby gig is too good to give up to run against Schweitzer.
  3. Champ Edmunds is a great guy, but he obviously can’t win. And he knows it too.
  4. Corey Stapleton is a sore loser and a weak candidate.
  5. With Brad Johnson’s name ID, the only thing he’d have to do is put his name on the ballot and he could beat the announced candidates in the Republican primary. Weak field!

My point: Marc Racicot is the Republicans only hope for winning the open US Senate seat in Montana.

If you don’t agree, then lay off the 420 and get the hell out of Montana politics.

Two things are clear: the Republican short list for U.S. Senate is weak and a GOP primary could be pretty nasty.
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