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MOTTO 6: Can Brown be Competitive?

chinese%20six.jpgRoy Brown entering the Governors’ race is a positive development. Brown really was the strongest candidate the MT GOP could field and will certainly provide a contrast in both style and substance to Governor Schweitzer. His initial talking points comforted his base, cut taxes & govern differently. It is much too early to discuss whether or not Brown can win, he and the GOP must first focus on making the race competitive. So where can he start?

  1. No surprise here on MOTTO. Brown needs to reach out to the moderates in both parties. He’ll need to coax the R’s back to his camp, and a few D’s along side
  2. Develop and discuss an energy policy that encompasses more than relaxing regulatory restrictions
  3. Talk specifics on education, from pre-K through higher ed
  4. Embrace, not spin, his voting record
  5. Provide a solid plan for workforce retention and recruitment.  Talk, Talk, Talk about workforce.
  6. A) take great care in selecting a running mate, and B) upgrade website
Posted on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 07:31AM by Registered CommenterJeff Mangan in , | Comments3 Comments

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Reader Comments (3)

These are all good starting points, I particularly agree on both points of #6. I would ask though, if the Schweitzer is as strong as I think he is (polling 64%) and the GOP just came off some pretty big problems in the 2006 leg, wont a failed run ultimately hurt Brown's future? Are there cases where a failed run can ultimately help a political career in the long term? I suppose that Schweitzer's failed Senate bid is one example.
November 2, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterShane C Mason
I actually think this is one of those races where both candidates are better off running generally positive races. Schweitzer can be upbeat and start to decrease tensions with the legislature in general and Republicans in particular. Roy Brown can avoid angering an electorate unlikely to drop their current Governor. That leaves him in an OK place to run again in 2012.

My gut says I'm not inclined to believe either side will keep the gloves on. But I think they'd be wise to.
November 3, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMatt Singer
Shane,

I think it's all about expectations. Schweitzer was a long-shot to win the Senate race in 2000 against Burns. Because he came so close to beating Burns, it was perceived as almost a victory.

Then look at Mark O'Keefe's failed bid for governor. He had run statewide before, had lots of money, and was expected to beat Martz. Since he failed (only a few votes less than Schweitzer), it was seen as a huge loss. He has never come back from that.

If Brown is expected to lose, and yet he comes very close to beating Schweitzer, it may launch a successful bid for statewide office down the road. Or he could win. I think people are waiting to see how the first few months of the campaign go before they set their expectations.
December 3, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMontanaMainStreet

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