Montana's Schweitzer brings down the house
By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 26, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.
Updated August 26, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.
PEPSI CENTER -- Brian Schweitzer, a gun-toting, bolo-tie wearing rancher with folksy, good ol’ Goober type charm, wrapped the Democratic convention delegates around his fingers Tuesday night.
Oh, he’s also the Democratic governor of Montana. With humor and pointed policy jabs at Republicans, his speech sandwiched between keynoter Mark Warner and Hillary Clinton easily gave him the Emmy for most entertaining performance by a non-candidate.
Schweitzer is what’s known as a Blue Steel Democrat – a fierce opponent of gun control that puts him at odds with many in the party. But he disarmed the crowd with his delivery, mostly on energy issues.
“Even leaders in the oil industry know that Sen. McCain has it wrong,” Schweitzer said. “We simply can’t drill our way to energy independence, even if you drilled in all of John McCain’s backyards including the ones he can’t even remember!”
Odell Barry, Colorado delegate from Westminster, said Schweitzer was “outta sight.”
“He just picked this arena up,” Barry said.
Sporting his Western bolo over an open-necked shirt and blazer, his big face basking in the bright lights, Schweitzer brought the crowd to its feet numerous times with punch lines – written to guarantee a partisan cheer but delivered with the aplomb of a stand-up comic.
Calling foreign oil countries the “petro-dictators,” Schweitzer said America needs other energy options to be independent and secure.
“Billions of dollars that we spend on all that foreign oil seems to end up in the bank accounts of those around the world who are openly hostile to American values and our way of life,” he said.
“Barack Obama’s plan will give us energy independence. And John McCain’s plan? Four more years of the same old same old.
“The petro dictators will never own American wind and sunshine.”
Bill Clinton, watching from a private box, laughed with approval and mouthed “That was good” when Schweitzer wrapped up with a roaring ad lib:
“That’s it, baby! Let’s go win this election! God bless you! God bless America!”
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August 26, 2008
10:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
nouse4u2 writes:
The gov is a big proponent of coal to liquids- and a company which originated here in Colorado, Rentech (RTK) is on the leading edge- i wonder if he toured Rentech's PDU in Commerce City
August 26, 2008
10:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rose251 writes:
Montana, your Governor Schweitzer was awesome tonight at the DNC. I am jealous. I wish he was our governor. He seems like a down to earth guy with an abundance of common sense.
Rose, from Georgia
August 26, 2008
11:31 p.m.
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reddog writes:
I thought he was a freakin idiot, had to turn it off.