There aren't too many states in the union redder than Montana. George Bush won the state by more than 20 points in November. The state legislature and governorship in the capital, Helena, have been in GOP hands for 16 years. Sparsely-populated Montana is represented by only one congressman, the far-right Rep. Denny Rehberg, and by two senators, an ultra-conservative Republican (Conrad Burns) and a conservative Democrat (Max Baucus) who often votes with the Republicans. The state's electoral votes are conceded so automatically to the GOP that neither party's candidate campaigns there. Culturally, with the exception of a few rich Hollywood types who weekend in places like Big Sky, the state could hardly be further from the metro-cosmopolitan culture of the coasts. To give but one example, Montana has the highest percentage of hunters of any state in the union.
But in November, a Democrat, Brian Schweitzer, won the state's race for governor. Schweitzer not only won, but he also won decisively, beating his opponent Bob Brown, the Republican secretary of state and a two-decade fixture in Montana politics, by a solid four points. His victory was so resounding and provided down-ballot party members such strong coattails that Montana Democrats took the state senate and four of five statewide offices.
Like I've said before, Bush was hideously vulnerable but the stupid Democrats had to go and nominate the one candidate that couldn't beat him.
Keep an eye on this guy.
"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."- General Sir Charles Napier
Schweitzer will do a good job. He is a moderate democrat and one thing your article failed to mention is his running mate is a republican. Furthermore Brown is partialy attached to the current administration which is universaly detasted. Minnesota used to have the "My govenor can beat up your govenor" claim. Well Montana currently has the "My Govenor is dumber then your govenor". Judy Martz is a bloody idiot.[/code]
"If the facts are on your side, pound on the facts. If the law is on your side, pound on the law. If neither is on your side, pound on the table."
"The captain claimed our people violated a 4,000 year old treaty forbidding us to develop hyperspace technology. Extermination of our planet was the consequence. The subject did not survive interrogation."
Governors are easy targets in which voters in states which are overwhelmingly ruled by one party can vent their frustration. 5 out of the 6 New England states as well as New York have a Republican governor to counter the DNC deathgrip on the legislatures.
"This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we’ll be lucky to live through it.” -Tom Clancy
Col. Crackpot wrote:Governors are easy targets in which voters in states which are overwhelmingly ruled by one party can vent their frustration. 5 out of the 6 New England states as well as New York have a Republican governor to counter the DNC deathgrip on the legislatures.
Republican Governor+Republican Senate-Democratic Assembly= No DNC deathgrip on legislature in NY.
Col. Crackpot wrote:Governors are easy targets in which voters in states which are overwhelmingly ruled by one party can vent their frustration. 5 out of the 6 New England states as well as New York have a Republican governor to counter the DNC deathgrip on the legislatures.
Also, what is a "Republican" or "Democrat" in these states can be quite different than in others. I'd be surprised to see a New England Republican governor resemble a Texan Republican governor. They have to appeal to the moderate voters to win - unlike those of the majority party where you often have to appeal to the fringe of the party to win the primary, and are stuck with them for the rest of the election.
