Brian Schweitzer Interview, Part III
November 13th, 2003 | by mtpolitics |(This post will be on top until Thursday (11/13). Look below for new content.)
As you probably know, Brian Schweitzer is using a different method of finding a running mate, so I asked him about that:
You’ve chosen a rather unconventional means of finding a running mate, even inviting members of the other party to sign up.
Cynics among us might say that it is a political gambit, designed to gain bipartisan support for your campaign. I’ll make this question brief: What were you thinking?
I have opened the search for lieutenant governor to all Montanans for a simple reason: there are thousands of people in our state with good ideas about how we can move Montana forward, and not all of them are professional politicians in Helena. Many Montanans feel that we have lost connection with our government, and that it is impossible for ordinary citizens to affect meaningful change over the direction of our state. I am running for governor to break the vice grip that special interests have on our state, and return Montana’s government to its people. That is why I have driven thousands of miles back and forth across the state listening to people’s ideas and concerns; that is why I am not accepting any contributions from PACs, corporations, or even political parties; and that is why I am casting the widest net possible in the search for people who will join me in shaping Montana’s future.
In creating strong leadership, a person’s political party is not as important as the quality of their ideas, their ability to listen, and their work ethic. Over one hundred people from across Montana have applied for the position of lieutenant governor. They include Democrats, Republicans, and Independents of every political stripe. These people represent the full spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and professions. They are passionate about a wide range of issues, whether it is kick-starting our economy, improving education, or bringing affordable health care to Montana. But the people in this diverse group share one common goal: they all want to move our state forward.
I have already met with dozens of applicants and listened to their ideas for bringing a change to Montana’s government. Some are current and former legislators; others are teachers, farmers, and community leaders. In the coming months, I will meet with dozens more. Although I can choose only one to be my lieutenant governor, many more of these people will take part in my administration on various levels. If one of my opponents is elected, we will see a change in only one face of Montana’s government. If I am elected, we will change more than a thousand faces.
I am running the most grassroots campaign that Montana has seen in generations. Although my opponents boast average campaign contributions that are nearly twice what I have received, it is the number of people who have contributed to this campaign that gives us our strength. The five and ten dollar checks from folks in Scobey mean more to me than a PAC contribution worth thousands. People are sick of hearing the same old tune from Helena year after year, and they are telling me that it’s time for a change. In the past, the choice of lieutenant governor has been made by the same empowered few that gave us such failed policies as electrical deregulation. But I believe politics should be inclusive, not a series of backroom deals. My search for a lieutenant governor makes the concerns of average Montanans the top priority. Together, we are revitalizing Montana’s political process.
12 Responses to “Brian Schweitzer Interview, Part III”
By Ghost Dog on Nov 11, 2003 | Reply
Perhaps the cynics see this as a political gambit because its so rare to have a sincere outsider running for a major office….
By mtpolitics on Nov 11, 2003 | Reply
I don’t know. I’d say we have “sincere outsiders” running all the time. Rob Natelson and Stan Jones come immediately to mind, and I’m sure I could think of others if it weren’t so close to bedtime.
By Chris Laslovich on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
It is refreshing to see a candidate in this state running because of a desire to serve and represent the people of Montana; not corporations or interest groups.
The last ten years of Republican domination has hurt Montana badly; it is time for new leadership to repair the injuries suffered over the last ‘Decade of Destruction’.
I believe Brian has the vision, motivation and know-how to bring meaningful change to this state. When was the last time a gubernatorial candidate ran a campaign without taking donations from PACs!? This guy is for real; no gimmicks, no bullshit…just good old “Plain Talk…Good Ideas.”
Maybe I am just tired of lackluster Republican ‘leadership’, or tired of constantly paying more and more to go to school in this state, but I honestly think Montana would do a disservice to itself if Brian is not elected.
By jr on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
I thought the Missoula Independent, about as liberal/loony as you get in this state(and of course a big supported of B.S.) had this figured out pretty well when it referred to this political theatre as “trolling the public for a running mate”. It’s yet another example of B.S. keeping himself in the news without saying anything but the usual banalities. Ken Miller, to his credit, discusses real issues in some detail (and of course risks offending someone) while Brian runs his Magical Mystery Tour around the state, garnering lots of press opportunites. I’d say this about Brian: he’s one smart, glib politician who might just end of as governor.
By Doglap, (not to be confused w/ Lapdog!) on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
Well, I used to think that the election in November would be a simple choice between the two, Brian Schwietzer and a fella named Mr. More, More-of-the-same that is. But, alas, I was mistaken. Mr. More-of-the-same is only his FIRST name. His entire name is Mr.More-of-the-same On-steriods! Yep! You think that fifteen years of Marky Racicrotch and Judy Mars was bad. Try more of the same with Pat Judy’sSon (Davison, but since he got Judy’s endorsement, I have termed him Judy’sSon!) Yikes! Let the good times roll, huh?! I mean, really. It’s like this. The Repubies have a hard time fielding candidates cause it’s damn hard to get up for most people to get up in public and lie their hienies off! Most people can’t do it. Most people have a least a modicum of decency that prevents them from supporting policies that they know full well will destroy the state and the people in it for the benefit of a few rich, multinational corporations! So, the RePubies resort to running people that are SO dumb that they actually BELEIVE the Pubie platform! Hence, they don’t have to lie. Hence, we have Judy Mars and Cornhole Burns! Ahh, but something new is on the horizon. Now, the Pubies are running a guy like Pat Judy’sSon. And here’s the kicker. Pat knows full well that he is lying when he parrots the party line. BUT, (and this is a big BUT), Pat is different. Paddy isSO steeped in Pubie philosophy that he’s actually CONVINCED himself that the Pubies actually DESERVE to be fat cats while the rest of us Montanans SHOULD be competing with the third world for third world status! Ya see, THAT’S the big difference between Paddy Judy’sSon and Cornhole Burns and Judy Mars. Poor Cornhole and Judy are to be forgiven, cause they’re just not quite bright enough to figure it out. They’re not Pats, just Patsies. But Pat Judy’sSon IS bright enough to figure it out! It’s just that he thinks that HE and his CORPORATE PALS are entitled to ALL they can steal from us Montana Rubes! So, once again, the choice is clear come November. Brian Schweitzer, or More-of-the-same-on-STERIODS! Hell, if you liked dereg, you’ll just LOVE what Paddy offers! If you liked HUGE corporate tax breaks and cuts for the wealthy, why you’ll just ADORE the coming ones that are even bigger! If you like sending ALL our resources outta state, you’ll simply SWOON for what Paddy and the Mountain States Legal Foundation wants to do. And if you just LOVE to float and fish on a Montana stream, well, FORGET IT! For ya see, Paddy served on the board of directors of the MSLF, and guess what this outfit did. THEY HAVE TRIED LIKE HELL TO REPEAL OUR STREAM ACCESS LAW! I don’t know about you, but I think that ol’ Paddy Judy’sSon has a leetle bit of explainin’ to do here. Just WHY would a guy from Montana side with a RICH CALIFORNIAN to make it ILLEGAL to float or fish Montana streams and rivers?!! How bout it, Paddy Judy’sSon?! Like Georgie says, are you with us or against us!? Seems like through your actions, you’re AGAINST us! And if you don’t know it, there’s actually a term originated by the national RePubies for all the shenanigans guys like Paddy rerpresent. It’s called “feeding the beast”! Ya see, to Paddy and the Pubies, we, (you and I average Montanans), are the beast! In other words, anything that is of benefit to the people must be eliminated through defunding. Public schools? De-fund’em! Public streams and parks? De-fund’em! The end result is private schools, private fishing access, private EVERYTHING for people with money, which leaves out most Montanans except for maybe Booby Gannon and Paddy’s corporate pals! If THIS is the vision that you too have for Montana, by golly by all means vote for Paddy Judy’sSon! But if you want a govenmnent for the PEOPLE again, and NOT for the HUGE, OUTTA STATE CORPORATIONS, why then, ya better vote for Brian! The torch has been passed to a new generation of Montanans. So let’s make sure it’s the TORCH that’s passed, and NOT the Lapdog’s collar to Paddy Judy’sSon!
By mtpolitics on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
Doglap–
Once is plenty, thank you. Hit “POST”, then just wait and all will be well. I promise.
By Doglap, (not to be confused w/ Lapdog!) on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
Sorry. I couldn’t figure out how to run this thing. Don’t forget, I a Montanan! It’s takes us a while to figure out how things work, and it takes us a while to figure out that we’re gettin’ hosed. But by golly I think that after fifteen loooooooong years of RePubie rule, we’re finally figuring it out! Thanks for postin’ my rants. Makes me feel so much better knowin’ that there’s a site that believes in free speech.
Doglap
By jr on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
Apropo of Doglap– guess they didn’t have much to do at Schweitzer’s garage in Whitefish this afternoon–or was it Demo headquarters?
By Ghost Dog on Nov 13, 2003 | Reply
I’ll start taking Rob Natelson seriously when he passes the Montana Bar and gets off the government teat he so passionately pines against and creates a few jobs of his own.
By mtpolitics on Nov 14, 2003 | Reply
Not outsider enough, or not earnest enough?
By Ghost Dog on Nov 15, 2003 | Reply
Natelson is an outsider about as much as I would be in a Brooklyn synagogue.