MT-Sen: Primary fight? Brian Schweitzer vs. Max Baucus

[seanNJ9]

Probably means nothing, but Schweitzer shared a link on Facebook of the PPP poll that shows he's stronger  than Baucus is vs. any Republican challenger. I'd welcome this.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=335655976554929&id=304130558149

[RogueBeaver]

Hopefully not.

[Donerail]

Excellent news. Senator Schweitzer!

[Keystone Phil]

I think he's just having fun. Running for the Senate would essentially rule out 2016 and I doubt be wants to do that this early.

[seanNJ9]

Say he does challenger Baucus, any chance Baucus rolls over? I can't see Baucus having much of a prayer vs. the very popular Governor.

Best case scenario. President Obama offers Baucus a cabinet position, he accepts, resigns from the Senate, Governor Bullock appoints his predecessor Brian Schweitzer to the U.S. Senate.

[Skill and Chance]

I think he's just having fun. Running for the Senate would essentially rule out 2016 and I doubt be wants to do that this early.

He probably can't get through the primary in 2016 and he knows it.  He has a much better chance at being Hillary's VP pick or a presidential candidate in 2020 and beyond if he gets back into elected office soon.

[seanNJ9]

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http://www.kpax.com/news/poll-schweitzer-would-beat-baucus-in-senate-race/

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

Please, please let it be so.

[Rocky Rockefeller]

Let's go Schweitzer!

[tmthforu94]

At least he isn't going to drag it out.

My money says he'll only run if Baucus retires, which I don't think will happen. Schweitzer would make a terrific VP, especially with the outsider label, which would vanish if he went to the Senate.

[politicallefty]

Best case scenario. President Obama offers Baucus a cabinet position, he accepts, resigns from the Senate, Governor Bullock appoints his predecessor Brian Schweitzer to the U.S. Senate.

That's not a bad idea actually. Preferably, it'd be after any gun measures get through the Senate. Baucus could take a tough vote, take a Cabinet position, and Schweitzer would be clean running in 2014. I'd really like to see Schweitzer in the Senate.

[badgate]

Baucus could fill the still vacant Commerce post.

[ShadowRocket]

Since the political winds seem to be blowing in the direction of Hillary running again, Schweitzer getting elected to the Senate wouldn't be a bad idea. He's still young enough to conceivably run as far into the future as 2024, and as a Senator, would have a means to stall relevant in the mean time. 

That is unless, he decides to challenge her in 2016.

[Talleyrand]

Schweitzer probably just wants to ruffle Baucus's feathers a bit. My understanding is that their relationship hasn't always been the best, because Baucus was the Montana Democratic Party before the Schweitzerites came along, and he hasn't always taken well to their rise.

But he won't run, since he's definitely one of those people who would hate the Senate. He's probably announcing a new PAC or perhaps a cabinet position.