Montana Governor Isn't Cowed by Bush (LA Times)

[NoPasaran]

WASHINGTON — President Bush often quips that the aura of the White House intimidates visitors, leaving would-be critics to express only niceties.

But the presidential mansion — and its current occupant — apparently did not have that effect Monday on Montana's new governor, who made some sharp comments after Bush tried to promote his Social Security overhaul to a group of governors consumed by other matters

A no-nonsense rancher and wheat farmer who took office six weeks ago in a Republican state, Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer likened the president's pitch to a magic show trick featuring a rabbit in a hat.

He also compared it to a bull auction hawking lousy studs.

-more-

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-montana1mar01.story

[mtnester]

1. This guy was great on Morning Sedition today

He is no nonsense...I hope he and Dean take the time to have a couple of sit downs and some breakfast just to chat.

[Larkspur]

12. I agree. Schweitzer was supported by DFA

[merbex]

2. This is the kind of talk I think that people are craving - blunt,direct

using language that frames our message and frames the republicans

He is impressing me

[calimary]

5. This is VERY good. Nice word pictures he's painting, too.

That is strategically VERY smart when it comes to influencing public opinion. Painting a word picture. Assisting and enabling the visualization in people's minds. It REALLY plants seeds.

Watch bush sometimes, too. Just watch him for a moment (I know, I know, kinda turns your stomach at some points), especially as he "sells" his Social Security Piratization Plan and whatever other snake oil he's got in his bag-o-tricks. Watch him lean in and smile while he emphasizes words and phrases. THAT, TOO, paints a word picture. People watching will remember the smile, and take away a VERY subtle, subliminal "positive" to that message, and never mind exactly WHAT that message was. All they'll remember is a nice, warm, friendly, folksy feeling. Which then drips and oozes all over whatever words he spoke and lies he told.

Remember, too, the anecdote that Leslie Stahl of "60 Minutes" has told - about her coverage of the Reagan days (daze?!). She recalls this experience in which she'd reported a story that was actually very negative about how such-and-such a position or cutback that Reagan was pushing for would wind up hurting people. Her voice-over was completely negative about all the adverse impacts. After it aired, Stahl says, she actually got a thank-you call from the White House (I think it was David Gergen but I'm not completely sure), COMPLIMENTING HER on what a great report she'd just done. Stahl recalls that she was dumbfounded by this, and told her caller so - "how can you say that? My report was about all the negatives" - but guess what the response was: They complimented her because OVER her narration, the report was FULL of B-roll (various video clips without sound) of a smiling Reagan, waving from Air Force One, or speaking at some podium and looking powerful and presidential, and lots of other pleasant-looking images. Gergen (or whoever it was) was astute to recognize that people weren't really gonna be LISTENING to whatever was said in that report. They were just gonna be WATCHING THE NICE PICTURES. And THAT was what they were gonna take away from it.

PICTURES. MENTAL PICTURES. Maybe because so much of TV-Viewer-America is visually oriented. Would have to be, otherwise how do you explain how powerful and pervasive TV is in everyone's lives? You sit there passively and you LOOK AT IT. You WATCH IT. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Whether it's a flat-out visual picture or a mental picture, painted with clever, creative, colorful, "visual" words. In this case, with our Montana governor friend, the folksier the better. It's the SAME THING bush does - all folksy and friendly and aw-shucks let's-go-have-a-beer, salt-o-the-earth, workin'-man reg'lar-guy.

It. Gets. The. Point. Across. It's DEVASTATINGLY EFFECTIVE.

[Judi Lynn]

9. This man has the image, I'll bet. He looks very much like an "Amurkan."

Very authentic. He looks as if he has spent time doing real work during his lifetime, as in either mental or physical labor.

Really appreciated reading your post. I've cringed looking at that _Bush face oozing utterly bogus concern and good-will. Hideous, but it appears to take in a lot of people who aren't good at spotting calculating, cunning, although stupid, frauds.

[Straight Shooter]

11. Schweitzer resembles and talks like a lot of men in this area of Oregon

Ranchers. No nonsense. It will be good to quote him to some of these ranchers who support the wee cowboy.

There's another subliminal "trick" bush used. He would pound the podium in a deliberate manner with the palm of his hand. While he's doing that, you're distracted, and his message goes right into your subconscious. It's the weasel's way of convincing someone of the merit of your argument.

Maybe we should start calling bush the coyote (the trickster) instead of the chimp.

[0007]

26. Why put down the coyote when the coyote is ten times more

intelligent and resilience than junior?

junior is coming to the end of his rope. The coyote has been out smarting mankind for centuries.

[xxqqqzme]

32. he did that many times in Europe

Every clip showing him delivering a speech also contained that gesture.

Hint: watch yellow rogue on mute. very interesting.

[prodigal_green]

53. maybe Wile E. Coyote

because no matter how many times he runs off the cliff or an anvil falls on his head, he somehow manages to dust himself and go on his silly way.

[Hamsta1]

24. Schwetzer 4 Senate?

I see that video clip if from a senate campaign. When did he run? '02?
Just curious. He seems like a straight shooter and when he makes the 'bull auction' analogies it is actually refreshing, unlike the nauseating feeling I get when * talks about the ranch that nazis built. (ok, so they didn't build it but would it be standing without them?)

[flygal]

29. 2000 - it was close

2000 was a big "huh" for Montana. Judy Martz was a complete zero who ran on her being a former Olympian. She shouldn't have had a chance yet won ?!! And Schweitzer looked awesome running against Burns and again - HUH?!! Montanans just went RED that year. But after Martz had approvals in the twenties they saw the light a little. I really think someone could give Burns a run for his money in 06.

[confludemocrat]

43. He was right back at the fight two months later

Two months after the 2000 48 to 52 % loss against Burns, he was at a Democratic event In Billings, unbowed and rallying the troops! A fighting spirit. Keep an eye on him.

[fishwax]

25. Thanks for the pics

I was trying to get a mental image for myself. He looks like the kind of guy the Montanans I remember would like.

[markmalcom]

30. BTW, what's an "Amurkan"..?...I get that it mean's

"American"...but it sounds like your mocking something, somebody.

[TankLV]

41. You bet it is! - The brain dead sheeple who support bunkerboy and repukes.

And it's entirely appropriate and overdue. These "people" have destroyed the America that we love.

Are we clear now?

[markmalcom]

44. Possibly, but it sounds like you're mocking their speech....

which is elitist and really more in line with Neocon thought...Try dumping on "well-off and well-spoken" Repuke Leaders who are truly more responsible for this mess...

[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

46. It's a phrase Bush uses practically daily

and you've never heard it? Where've you been?

[markmalcom]

47. I don't know what "phrase" you're talking about...

"Amurkin" looks like a word to me..

[TankLV]

65. But it's the brain dead "murikan" sheeple who vote for bush that deserve

all the scorn and ridicule they can get.

The well off and well spoken repuke leadership didn't have a gun to these idiots heads - many even saw, read, and heard all the truth and evidence against it, and they still CHOSE to vote for repukes.

Save your "concern" for those who deserve it.

THEY have brought our country to the condition it is today and we are the ones that get to suffer along with their fucked bad decisions!

Their ridicule is justly and richly deserved.

[stevedeshazer]

39. I must tell my anecdotal Schweitzer story here

I'm not from Montana, but I was in Great Falls in the summer of 2002 at the Montana State Fair.

My wife, son, and I were standing in a ticket line, when up walks this guy, who sticks out his hand and says, "I'm Brian Schweitzer, I'm running for governor, and I'd like to ask for your vote."

We politely explained that we were from out of state, and he didn't miss a beat. He just smiled and said, "welcome to Montana!" and moved on.

He didn't say he was a Repub or a Democrat or whatever. He just walked right up and asked for my vote. I remembered his name and I also remember thinking, this guy is going to win. I had no idea who he was, he just had the kind of no-nonsense, outgoing manner that I find so refreshing in many of my fellow Westerners.

I think this guy will go a long way.

[shanti]

10. maybe that's why a lot of us are here

we haven't drunk the kool-aid (watched/listened to the teevee images), so we aren't brainwashed by the propaganda..

[wryter2000]

20. Egad

You mean that leaning his elbow on the podium and leering out over the top actually works for the asshole? It creeps me out. :scared:

[Southsideirish]

16. 100% correct. Richardson's cloying chumminess makes my skin crawl -

what's next, Bill, a smooch on the lips? Give me a real person - not a courtesan.

[AP]

38. Remember: Montana went Blue because Montanans were outraged by privatiz-

ation of the state energy company.

These people have lived on the sharp edge of neoliberalism/privatization, and they've turned away from it...not unlike Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, etc. etc.

[hlthe2b]

3. ha, ha, ha! I love it that Bush* is being called on his BS by a true

westerner, "no-nonsense rancher," who can call the fraud on his "good ole boy schtick."

[pauliedee]

36. Let's turn Montana Blue!!!!

Good stuff!! Maybe he can help us turn Montana blue in 2008. He would be a good senator. As long as he sets up a democrat to succeed him as governor. He could go for Burns ' seat.

[amber dog democrat]

4. I love hearing this.

Always hopeful this will expand. Thanks for the post.

[Renew Deal]

6. Very good!

Schweitzer for President!

:silly:

[Frances]

19. I agree

Of course, he does not have enough experience, but neither did Bush. We need someone who can talk in a way that people can understand.

[ktowntennesseedem]

31. I second that!

He might never get the nomination, and it's all way too early to start picking someone for '08 IMO, but we DO need that message in that format: Tell the truth, tell it like it is, and tell it so that people hear it and remember it.

[tanyev]

7. Moooooo!

You go, Guv!

[DeaconBlues]

8. This is something that a lot of Democratic politicians in red states

should look at - a Democrat with some real juice. Ben Nelson, I'm thinking about you.

[Beetwasher]

13. A Cowboy Names SCHWEITZER??!!! I LIKE This Guy!!!

Way to go pardner!!

[flygal]

14. That's MY Governor!!!

wooo hooo!! He SHOULD be U.S. Senator but lost to Burns in 2000. But we'll take him as Gov :bounce:

[confludemocrat]

15. This is tasty stuff

Note the contrast between my governor and Richardson of N. M. Schweitzer was on Air America this morning and among other things called Bush " a nice little guy" besides making fun of how Bush switches to his drawl when he is out of Washington. The conversation was on Morning Sedition in the first hour, about 30-40 minutes in, if anyone wants to go to Air America Place and download the sound file when it's available from there.
http://www.airamericaplace.com/archive.php

[Lisa]

50. tone of amused condescension regarding Bush is perfect!

The "aw gee, what a cute little fella, but you and I know that he isn't up to the job" will reach a LOT of people who feel they are apolitical (or too cool to be spun).

[eddieb]

17. Sorry for the off TOPIC BUT

500,000 HOMELESS VETERANS vis RAWSTORY.com
WE can't let this one slip by. Where is the Liberal echo chamber when we need it! This is a BIG story! I'm a disabled Viet Vet and I'm aghast a these numbers of my brothers who live without shelter in a country with such opulence! Shame on America Shame on all of us!

[0007]

23. Welcome home eddie baby! The 500,000 Homeless Veterans is

a big story. It is in the slow motion process like shit about to hit the fan and then the streets. Trust me! It is on the way.

[ucmike]

18. a real rancher calls out the fake cowboy. nice.

i hate that so many people accept the image of bush as "gentleman cowboy". how do they not realize that asshat is from connecticut and went to an ivy league school, not to mention never proving he's done a day of work in his life. hardly the stock image of a "cowboy" we are used to.

this guy's whole persona falls apart if you just scratch the surface.

[rfranklin]

21. He cleared brush! How can you say he never worked?

didn't you see him in that sweaty t-shirt and ten gallon hat driving in his pickup?

[ucmike]

57. yeah, i remember that. i also remember his jacket...

the "ol' brush cuttin' jacket" that was brand new, with creases still in the fabric. i also remember that the "bush family ranch" in crawford wasn't in the family until he decided to run for pres.

i'm going to vomit in my ten gallon hat.

[antigone382]

22. I know! We should have a cowboy contest!

Sheriff Schweitzer vs. Deputy Dim-Son. The one who stays on his horse the longest wins.

Seriously, this guy could snap * in two. He's just the man we need to get the Democratic show back on the road.

[fishwax]

28. lol

let * prove his meddle in a friendly little rodeo ... that i'd like to see :D

[StuckinBFE]

27. Hopefully the future for Montana

I am really glad I voted for Schweitzer he diffently doesn't take crap from anyone. He could be a great statesmen in the future but the biggest key for him is to turn Montana around, he got elected because the former governor was a retard and run this state right into the ground. Her own party asked her not to run again because she sucked so much.

I would like to see Schweitzer and Dean have a sit down.

[xxqqqzme]

33. They must have had one @ one

point. Wasn't Schweitzer a 'Dean Dozen'?

[Rainscents]

34. This guy has what it take to take back Democratic party!!!

We need more people like him!

[lutefisk]

35. He has the background GWB pretends to have:

From www.brianschweitzer.com:

"He was raised on his parent's registered cattle ranch in the Judith Basin, Montana. His German and Irish grandparents immigrated to Montana near the turn of the century and homesteaded in Hill County. They are buried there. His parents still farm near Geyser...

Brian has been signing the front side of a paycheck for 25 years. He has owned and operated Montana farms in Flathead, Sanders, Rosebud, and Judith Basin Counties."

Compare that to tender George's pampered life of elite Eastern private schools and Texas suburban lounge lizarding. Even though many, many gullible Americans believe GWB grew up on the "ranch" in Crawford, working cattle and clearing the land, we all know the little fraud had his country estate chosen and built for him exclusively for the 2000 elections.

Keep it up, Governor Schweitzer.

[janetle]

37. An authentic rancher calling Bush a poser

Having a real rancher/cowboy calling Bush a poser is exactly what we need!! I have been saying this for years. I grew up in Montana as a fourth generation born. I no longer live there but my relatives are all still there.

When I was little, my Mom would not let me have cowboy boots because we did not own a ranch. There is an honor or a code there that really looks down on people who pretend to be cowboys but are not. You have to earn the right to wear your sh**kickers.

When these honorable good people begin to see through Bush as a poser, it will begin to fall apart for him. Schweitzer needs to be encouraged to come up with more zingers.

[UrbScotty]

40. You never know where good Democrats will come from, do you?

:D

[screembloodymurder]

42. In Montana

they recognize a rancher who's "all hat and no cattle".

[confludemocrat]

45. All hat no cattle: in MT we also have a Representative in that category

The millionaire Denny Rehberg, man of the people and SS liar:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Social Security. It’s good to hear from you.

Social Security provides a critical source of income for retired and disabled workers. For one-third of Americans over the age of 65, Social Security benefits constitute 90% of their total income. While Social Security is safe for today’s seniors, the system will likely be bankrupt before many of today’s workers become eligible and may not exist at all for our grandchildren.

As you know, Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system with today’s workers paying to support today’s retirees. But each year, more retirees draw money from the system, and not enough workers support them. Currently, Social Security has a total unfunded obligation of more than $10 trillion.

In the 1950’s, approximately sixteen workers supported every one beneficiary. Today, there are about three – and eventually there will be only two workers to support each person on Social Security. In 2018, the government will begin to pay out more in Social Security benefits than it collects in payroll taxes -- and shortfalls then grow larger with each passing year. By 2042, when workers who are now in their mid-twenties begin to retire, the system likely will be bankrupt.

It is incumbent upon Congress to confront problems before they become a crisis, rather than pass them on to future generations. Unfortunately, the longer we wait to take action, the more difficult and expensive the changes will be.

Several plans have been proposed to reform Social Security, and I intend to study all proposals closely. But as Congress and the President address proposals to improve the program, we must work to preserve the current system for those receiving Social Security and those near retirement, so they experience no benefit changes. We must also be cautious of raising payroll taxes which would slow economic growth.

This nation must always strive to leave behind a better America for our children and grandchildren. If we address this problem now, we can leave them a more secure retirement for the future.

Thanks again for contacting me. For further information or to sign up for my e-newsletter, please visit my website at www.house.gov/rehberg. Keep in touch.

[RaleighNCDUer]

49. That sound like it came word for word from the SS playbook

that came out a few weeks ago.

The guy obviously put a lot of thought into his position.

[DeusIrae]

48. Right On, Time to Turn it Around.

We have been letting the right call the shots and our reactions have unfortunately played the foil.
Time to quit this 'holding action' and take the lead! Let's dump this identity as the Anti-Bush and give people a Dem party that ignites and unites us.
The people will come out for guys like Schweitzer. He provides identity, and action breakin' it down for the common man.
Let's show the workers what we have to offer them! * is crumbling and your average Joe is already suspicious. We need to quit dogging * so much as it just makes the red guys really stubborn. The truth will speak for itself, there is no way that they can't see that despite this Moral Mandate they are continually ending up last in line.

:kick:

[Kali]

51. Excellent!

From another real rancher who can't even muster "cute lil feller".
Bush as a country person makes me :puke:

He wouldn't know how to get his mail, change a tire, fix a fence, or probably even feed himself if it weren't for his various caretakers. (remember the pretzel!)

[neverforget]

52. I miss Montana and am so happy that the state has a Democrat

as governor now. Stan Stephens, Marc Racicot and Judy Martz.....good riddance!

[Eloriel]

54. Aaargh, I HATE this kind of so-called "reporting" (snippet)

continuing first with his comments:

"I was seeing more of this," he said, crinkling his nose as if detecting a foul odor, "than I was of this," he said, nodding his head. "I didn't see a lot of buyers in the room."

Such harsh words were surprising coming from Schweitzer, who was elected after building a public image as a non-ideological problem-solver; he even chose a Republican running mate.

No, such harsh words are NOT surprising coming from someone who can detect bullshit when he sees it and isn't afraid to SAY so. Being a "non-ideological problem-solver" does NOT require that you eat the bullshit and smile.

LAZY writing, or very, very poor understanding of human beings. One of the two.

:grr:

[stevedeshazer]

55. Bias, in my opinion

It goes beyond lazy or a poor understanding. It presupposes that Schweitzer is being "harsh" for saying ANYTHING negative about a Bushco* policy.

Such words are "surprising", according to the writer.

Surprising to whom?

Good catch, this is how the state-run media subtly twists the message.

[dave29]

59. I think you are correct on both counts.

The MSM requires that either Drudge, or we (the people) do their work for them - after all, they have lots of pretty pictures to speculate about.

[paineinthearse]

56. May NONE but HONEST and WISE men ever rule.....

"I Pray Heaven to bestow the Best of Blessings on this HOUSE and ALL that shall inhabit it. May NONE but HONEST and WISE men ever rule under this Roof..." John Adams

Well, at least one visitor was honest and wise.

[Bluzmann57]

58. I have been quietly talking to people about this guy

maybe making a presidential run in 2008. I honestly think he can help the Democrats in the plains states and he is obviously a straight shooter. The Democrats need more like this guy. He won the gubenatorial race in a red state and from what I hear, is popular out there. No matter, thank you to Governor Schweitzer for the straight talk.

[dave29]

60. A Democrat? In Cheney's backyard?

Or did anyone ever figure out which state Cheney is actually from.

;)

[AnneD]

61. 'bout time

I was so mad that the Dem's (the leadership) have ignored and written off the West, farmers and ranchers, and anyone that is not on a coast. The secret to getting a vote in these places is TO ASK FOR IT. Believe me, they know what's going on. They have pressure from agribusinesses that are squeezing them out of business and polluting the environment to boot, and they are losing their sons and daughters to the military.I won't even get into the lack of health care in rural America. They are not rubes and can spot and smell BS a mile away. But we have to have a plan for rural America (don't worry, they will tell you what they need- and be reasonable about it too) and we have to ask them for their vote and thank them afterward with some action. Farmers and ranchers have been the Dem's deepest roots.

[deadparrot]

62. Always good to hear about a liberal powerhouse in a red state...

[Anakin Skywalker]

63. You Tell it Like it is, Schweitzer!

[SuffragetteSal]

64. I wonder..any relation to

Albert Schweitzer the humanitarian?