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brooklynite

(96,882 posts) Fri Oct 18, 2013, 09:42 AM Oct 2013

Brian Schweitzer Mulling 2016 Presidential Bid [View all]

Source: Real Clear Politics

Add another name to the short list of Democrats seriously considering a run for president in 2016.

In an interview with RealClearPolitics, former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer indicated that he may launch a White House bid, even if front-runner Hillary Clinton also enters the race.

“I still hold the people of Iowa and New Hampshire in high regard,” Schweitzer said of the nation’s first caucus and primary states. “The people of Iowa are a whole lot like the people of Montana. And, of course, New Hampshire’s a lot like Montana. We don’t have a sales tax. ‘Live Free or Die’ -- we understand that notion in Montana.”

A popular two-term governor who once used a red-hot branding iron to veto several bills passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature, Schweitzer would offer a hefty dose of rural folksiness against the East Coast urbanites in the potential Democratic field, including Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.

I've already spoke to him personally about this. If Hillary gets in, I'll support her; otherwise I've said I work to build support for Brian among NYC funders.

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Brian Schweitzer Mulling 2016 Presidential Bid [View all] brooklynite Oct 2013 OP

I'd vote for Schweitzer! CrispyQ Oct 2013 #1

As would I! n/t painesghost Dec 2013 #44

He should start visiting the coasts BumRushDaShow Oct 2013 #2

As a resident of a coastal State, I point out that many States have no city as Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #8

"Live Free or Die" is NH's state motto. bunnies Oct 2013 #43

I like Brian Schweitzer. He's more conservative than me mountain grammy Oct 2013 #3

I like him too. And he's from my home state, which makes me happy too. LiberalLoner Oct 2013 #5

We don't need another conservative. Pab Sungenis Oct 2013 #7

While I agree, I have to be realistic.. mountain grammy Oct 2013 #10

Elizabeth Warren - no; Sherrod Brown - no; Howard Dean - no. Who else have you got? brooklynite Oct 2013 #14

How is he a conservative? ForgoTheConsequence Oct 2013 #26

He's practical and realistic mountain grammy Oct 2013 #32

I agree he's not a Clinton style DLC or a Blue Dog. He's has more of a Libertarian leaning than a Co painesghost Dec 2013 #45

He's also professed a seething hatred of Washington Warpy Oct 2013 #28

Probably running to be Hillary's VP Renew Deal Oct 2013 #4

Yep. Or maybe Elizabeth Warren's? CTyankee Oct 2013 #21

Not sure why this meme lives on. She's said she's NOT running. freshwest Oct 2013 #37

I'd support Brian over Hillary, both are more conservative than I am and I like Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #6

For a Blue Dog he's okay EC Oct 2013 #9

The more the merrier. All parts of the party should have a voice.... Rowdyboy Oct 2013 #11

I was born and raised in Wyoming....... Swede Atlanta Oct 2013 #12

He would be a good candidate. DCBob Oct 2013 #13

He's a good guy, But I still feel a Senate run would have been a smarter option. Mr.Turnip Oct 2013 #15

He has no chance against the Clinton machine. cosmicone Oct 2013 #16

Probably true Mz Pip Oct 2013 #17

He ain't no Obama............... Beacool Oct 2013 #42

Is he still pushing Clean Coal? truebluegreen Oct 2013 #18

I agree. n/t murielm99 Oct 2013 #19

I'd take Brian's conservatism over Hillary's corporatism....but.. tokenlib Oct 2013 #20

I think he would add a great dimension to the primaries Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #22

I agree davidpdx Oct 2013 #23

Brian Schweitzer is the GOP's worst nightmare jmowreader Oct 2013 #24

he speaks Arabic fluently - that is suspect you know Douglas Carpenter Oct 2013 #30

He's registered as a Democrat; for the teabaggers that's the only thing that matters jmowreader Oct 2013 #35

my dream ticket: Dean + Schweitzer grasswire Oct 2013 #25

Has he labeled himself a blue dog or a conservative? ForgoTheConsequence Oct 2013 #27

Neither had Hillary Clinton... brooklynite Oct 2013 #31

I would be very open minded to this- other than gun issues and a few positions like pro-"clean coal" Douglas Carpenter Oct 2013 #29

If he is a neoliberal in any fashion, including a school privatizer, scratch him. duffyduff Oct 2013 #33

His only chance would be a horrendous gaffe by Hillary, Nye Bevan Oct 2013 #34

He doesn't have Hillary's baggage jmowreader Oct 2013 #36

He also doesn't have Hillary's experience and world wide connections. Auntie Bush Oct 2013 #40

Connections can be made, and there are plenty of smart Democratic advisors to help him jmowreader Oct 2013 #41

I'm interested in whoever can win against R's that isn't Hillary. Schweitzer vs. O'Malley? TwilightGardener Oct 2013 #38

I'd vote for him gejohnston Oct 2013 #39