Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer announced over the weekend that he will not run for U.S. Senate next year. His decision dismayed Democrats, because Schweitzer is proven as a statewide candidate and had an excellent chance to win retiring Senator Max Baucus’ seat. To all appearances, Iowa Democrats can expect to see more of the man who has long been considered a potential presidential candidate. Laura Zuckerman reported for Reuters yesterday,
“I’m not goofy enough to be in the House (of Representatives) or senile enough to be in the Senate, where things go to die. I don’t think they get anything done back there, and I’m a doer,” Schweitzer, 57, said.
Asked about the prospects for a White House campaign, he answered indirectly by referring to three states that have traditionally held the earliest primary elections or caucuses in the presidential race.
“I hold the people of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina in high regard,” he said. “If I were running for U.S. Senate, I’d be so goldarn busy I wouldn’t be able to get out and visit with my friends in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.”
I don’t think anyone can compete with Hillary Clinton if she runs for president in 2016. If she passes, the Iowa caucuses will be wide open, and I can see Schweitzer appealing to a lot of Democrats here. Please share your thoughts about his potential in the comments. I’d particularly like to hear from some Bleeding Heartland readers who attended the Harkin Steak Fry Schweitzer headlined in 2008. I missed the event that year.
3 Comments
He gave a barnburner of a speech.
It was freezing cold, and he was in shirtsleeves–don’t know whether he had long underwear underneath.
I had the impression he intends to run for President even then.
I am not a fan of his support for the Keystone Pipeline.
2laneia Tue 16 Jul 2:28 PM
Schweitzer
I should have gone to the event. Schweitzer strikes me as a fairly pragmatic guy in a world where Presidential candidates succeed by using idealistic rhetoric. He wouldn’t be a successful candidate in that regard.
The Daily Kos crowd already gives him plenty of guff over not running for the U.S. Senate. They forget that he already went through that entire process years ago and lost.
moderateiadem Tue 16 Jul 5:12 PM
it won't be your last chance
to see him in Iowa.
If he wants to be president someday, it would be better not to be tied down in the Senate casting a lot of votes that could be used against him. I’m disappointed, though, because I would rather have him hold down the Montana Senate seat. It’s hard for me to imagine caucusing for him when there are sure to be more progressive options.
desmoinesdem Tue 16 Jul 7:34 PM