Montana Gov. Mentioned As 2008 Democratic Contender

Gov. Brian Schweitzer sits in his Capitol office, scanning a recent Roll Call article in which pundits float his name as a possible presidential contender. They say the "rancher-politician from Big Sky Country" might be the Democrats' "best shot to take back the White House." Schweitzer tosses the article aside. "These people are kooky," he says.

Schweitzer, in office barely 200 days, has drawn unusual attention for the new chief executive of a state usually on the sidelines when it comes to national politics.

His victory as a Democrat in a historically Republican stronghold helped bring him to the attention of Democratic Party leaders. Smarting from their losses in 2004, the Democrats have been looking to successful candidates in typically "red" states, hoping to find a winning strategy.

"He is no-nonsense. He understands fiscal concerns," said Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee chairman. "He has a winning formula for Democrats. He is an example of how you win elections in the West."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050720/ap_on_re_us/montana_governor

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=253158&kaid=106&subid=122

that Mr. Dean. We're counting on you to follow through and expose the electronic voting machines and the GOP operatives who control most of them.