WaPo says Baucus is retiring

[Mr. Morden]

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

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Mehmentum]

Perhaps this will open the door for Schweitzer?

[Miles]

Wow, Politico cofirms it.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Glorious news!

[Keystone Phil]

Let me be the first to say: R +1

Schweitzer seems like he only wants to head to DC if he's President or maybe Vice President.

[Miles]

Let me be the first to say: R +1

Schweitzer seems like he only wants to head to DC if he's Presdent or maybe Vice President.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[RogueBeaver]

Seems strange that Schweitzer apparently wants to run, given how often he's said he doesn't want to serve in Congress. "Not senile enough to serve in the Senate." So either Pubs dragoon Fox or Daines into the race or Dems keep this seat if Schweitzer runs. Dunno why Racicot's brought up, that's probably another Allen/Thompson situation waiting to happen.

[Keystone Phil]

Strategists say he's leaning towards a run. Could be wishful thinking.    See Rogue's comments.

[Miles]

Strategists say he's leaning towards a run. Could be wishful thinking.   See Rogue's comments.

Yeah, Schweitzer always struck me as more of the executive type too, but more than one source says he's leaning towards running.

[RogueBeaver]

He nearly beat Burns in '00, so it isn't like this is his first Senate rodeo either. Usually when you leak about leaning towards running, you're running. Moves this from Lean to Likely D.

[RogueBeaver]

Apparently he was down in internal polling to the obscure Pubs, per NJ on Twitter.

[Mehmentum]

Apparently he was down in internal polling to the obscure Pubs, per NJ on Twitter.

PPP had him polling poorly as well.

[RogueBeaver]

Huh? Baucus was in the mid-40s against both Pubs but up by 8. These polls apparently had him down. Also Baucus has apparently been thinking about retirement for a while.

[Miles]

Huh? Baucus was in the mid-40s against both Pubs but up by 8. These polls apparently had him down. Also Baucus has apparently been thinking about retirement for a while.

He was trailing Daines by 3 or 5, IIRC.

[publicunofficial]

if Schweitzer gets in, then our chance of holding this seat is probably greater than when Baucus was the nominee.

[RogueBeaver]

Schweitzer says he'll start thinking about it next month.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/295539-schweitzer-says-hes-considering-senate-run

[RogueBeaver]

Fox took himself out, not that he was ever really in. Daines hasn't ruled anything out but he'd be wise to stay out, I don't see any Pub beating Schweitzer in the end.

[seanNJ9]

Haha, this guy is clearly runnning. Great outcome for Democrats. They get someone who is not only more electable, but more progressive.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/295539-schweitzer-says-hes-considering-senate-run#ixzz2RIzbfiui

[free my dawg]

Awesome news. I'm a big Schweitzer fan, and it will be great to see him in the Senate.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

Win-win all around if Schweitzer runs. We get a more progressive Senator in Montana, he's a near lock, and it'll keep him relevant and prepared for a 2016 run.

[Michael91]

Great; one more seat that's easier for the Dems to hold. I wouldn't be surprised if Schweitzer had a hand in pushing Baucus out of the race. After all, Schweitzer's people did make a post on his facebook page a few months ago referencing how a PPP poll showed Schweitzer crushing Baucus in a hypothetical primary.

[RogueBeaver]

Trende has a great overview of this race.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/04/23/democrats_somewhat_favored_to_hold_baucus_seat_118087.html#ixzz2RJ7Bultz

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

It'd be great if Schweitzer ran, because we'd keep the seat. But that makes it harder for him to be sworn in January 2015, and then trying to launch a national campaign in that Summer.

[Miles]

Hahaha.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

if Schweitzer gets in, then our chance of holding this seat is probably greater than when Baucus was the nominee.

Yep. The seat is basically Schweitzer's if he wants it. He's still very popular in Montana. The only remotely viable Republican candidate would be Rehberg, and if he could lose against Tester in 2012, he'll be flatted by Schweitzer.

Edited to add: Any suggestion of former Governor Marc Racicot as a candidate probably shouldn't be taken seriously. After his less-than-stellar term of office ended, he couldn't move to Washington D.C. fast enough, where he started a lucrative lobbying career. That choice will not play well in MT.