Democracy for New Mexico

How Democrats Won in Red, Red Montana

There's a good read in the December issue of The Washington Monthly that offers Democrats some ideas for crafting a winning strategy. The newly elected Governor, Brian Schweitzer, employed a three-pronged strategy to win that included presenting himself as a reformer and economic populist, gaining heavy support from small business and capturing the votes of hunting and fishing crowd:

How a Montana Democrat bagged the hunting and fishing vote, and won the governor's mansion

There aren't too many states in the union redder than Montana. George Bush won the state by more than 20 points in November. The state legislature and governorship in the capital, Helena, have been in GOP hands for 16 years. Sparsely-populated Montana is represented by only one congressman, the far-right Rep. Denny Rehberg, and by two senators, an ultra-conservative Republican (Conrad Burns) and a conservative Democrat (Max Baucus) who often votes with the Republicans. The state's electoral votes are conceded so automatically to the GOP that neither party's candidate campaigns there. Culturally, with the exception of a few rich Hollywood types who weekend in places like Big Sky, the state could hardly be further from the metro-cosmopolitan culture of the coasts. To give but one example, Montana has the highest percentage of hunters of any state in the union.

But in November, a Democrat, Brian Schweitzer, won the state's race for governor. Schweitzer not only won, but he also won decisively, beating his opponent Bob Brown, the Republican secretary of state and a two-decade fixture in Montana politics, by a solid four points. His victory was so resounding and provided down-ballot party members such strong coattails that Montana Democrats took the state senate and four of five statewide offices. 

How did Schweitzer pull off such a dramatic victory in an election year when Democrats seemed to have lost their capacity to win red states? The answer should give Democrats everywhere some hope and Republicans reason to worry.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Enter Vilsack?

With all the talk swirling about Dean's chances to chair the DNC, it's good to remember that Kerry has alot of sway, and money from us, to push his guy. You may remember the bland but loyal Gov. Vilsack, who did oh so much to help Kerry beat Dean in Iowa. He's Kerry's guy. And if he gets the DNC post, we can expect to once again have the Iowa Caucuses be first in the nation to help us pick our presidential candidate in 2006. Iowa, a Red State, an overwhelmingly white state with few minorities, with caucuses that can be manipulated if you know how. Think how much help Gov. Vilsack could be to Kerry's plan to run again in 2006.

From the MyDD blog: John Kerry's next mission: 2008 by

Or, I could label this, "How the DNC Chair is bought." And not only bought, but made secure in such a way that Iowa remains as the fist in the nation caucus in 2008. See, that's a big priority for someone with $50M left over in campaign funds; someone who mostly secured the Democratic nomination in Iowa; someone who wants a second chance at being President. Yep, that someone is John Kerry.

$45 million (minus whatever the DNC gets paid out), will be the lead that we gave John Kerry toward 2008. The money leftover from the campaign was to be used for a recount and transition. But given that Kerry lost by over 3 million votes, there's no real need to bother with that fight-- though I'm glad we are at least getting some questions.
[. . .]
Anyway, when you see someone writeoff Kerry's chances for 2008, scoff at them. It's palatable among the Dems in DC. Kerry's already got Iowa's Gov Tom Vilsack ready and willing to be bolt his incumbancy to be placed at the chair of the DNC, with one mission in mind-- preserving the Iowa caucuses. Such vision!