Senator Max Baucus to Retire

[Amazing Larry]

As head of the Senate Finance Committee and a democrat in Montana, he's giving up quite an important seat. It should make for an interesting race next year.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/23/baucus-to-retire-rather-than-seek-re-election-in-2014/

[arch stanton]

Sad that you have to become a lame duck before you can act on your own principles instead of those of your financers.

[Schildog]

bummer, that seat is going to the g.o.p.

[Caralho]

Not if former Gov. Schweitzer runs, he is the most popular politician in the state.

[mtangelsfan]

Not if former Gov. Schweitzer runs, he is the most popular politician in the state.

 

I'm not really sure that is true.  Not that it would really matter, no politician is well liked in this state.  He might be disliked the least, but I'm not so sure.

 

The secret to win here is to win Billings.  If the GOP candidate cannot win Billings, then he/she has no chance to win

[Caralho]

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_MT_021913.pdf

 

Last poll of Montana had Baucus at 45/48 and Schweitzer at 56/37 for their approval ratings. 

[mtangelsfan]

That's because he isn't governor anymore.

[Caralho]

He was out of the governor's office for what less than 2 months? There is a good reason why he won in 04 and 08 for governor in a red-leaning state, it's that he is pretty popular. PPP is a really good pollster and usually has low approval ratings so this stands out even more. Of course a good campaign by an opponent can drag down someone's approval rating but if Schweitzer runs, he would start as the favorite. Republicans don't have a deep bench of candidates either. 

[mtangelsfan]

Of course he would.  I can only tell you he is incredibly unpopular in this side of the state.  They may like him enough on the west and that is where a majority of the population is, but he's not all that in Billings.

[Caralho]

Your part of the state is very very Republican so that doesn't surprise me. I would assume that part of the state is growing faster than the western half because of the Bakken but Schweitzer isn't hardcore against fossil fuels so he should do well enough out there. Of course if he decides not to run, Republicans likely take the seat easily.

[Jay]

The good news is, when the campaign rolls around you can count on a visit from Obama.

[mtangelsfan]

He didn't come out here once for oil in his entire tenure as governor. 

 

and I doubt Obama gets anywhere within 250 miles of where I live.

[Blarg]

Obama hates Southern Canadians

[Schildog]

just get rid of the senate all together. 

[Jay]

just get rid of the senate all together. 

 

aren't you late for 5th period?

[Schildog]

is this your 5th period ever?

[Spirit]

Bozeman is far and away the most important city in the state.

[mtangelsfan]

lol

[Spirit]

Any city where they make handcrafted Gibson acoustic guitars is very very important! 

[mtangelsfan]

It's actually a very pretty town.  Just getting a little two busy for my tastes.

[Bruce Nye]

Are the liberals making inroads in Montana?  They want to bankruptt every city and state they have the popular vote.  

 

As I remember Montana, that would surprise me if it happens.

[mtangelsfan]

Montana has two democratic senators and a democrat governor.  Their single house representative is republican.