Montana Senate: Burns Burnt?

Rasmussen Reports ^ | 3-21-06 | Rasmussen

[Aetius]

Is there any chance that Burns will bow out? He barely won last time, and that was w/o the taint of Abramoff, and in an environment less hostile to incumbents and the GOP.

[The Old Hoosier]

Rehberg might have a better chance here. But of course, Burns has always been a survivor.

[Rockitz]

Sounds like Rove needs to make a call. ;o)

[ncountylee]

Mark Racicot came across very well supporting the President in 2000.

[Mike Darancette]

Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe it takes at least $50,000 to influence a Senator or Governor. Thirty percent (30%) believe gifts in the $1,000 to $10,000 range are enough to turn the head of an elected official. Thirty-two percent (32%) are not sure.

If these type of questions were asked in the same poll as the candidates assessment I'm surprised Conrad got over 10%.

Can you say Push Poll?

[knarf]

"Crosstabs are available for Premium Members."

..and for just a buck more, you can up-grade to the Platinum level

Biggie size it for only $.49 ... what a country we live in.

[MikeA]

Burns needs to get out...NOW!

[bilhosty]

Burns is only the second GOP Senator in Montana history and the first one to be reelected. IN fact of the four Senate terms won by Republicans in Montana, Burns won three of them. He needs to rest on his record and retire I think his record will run out.

[montag813]

Rehberg is a real conservative. Racicot is milquetoast.

[Kuksool]

The problem is that Burns feels he has done nothing wrong and wants the election to be a source of vindication for him. He is man out of touch with reality. Come November, Burns should be smacked for needlessly losing a Senate seat.

[Aetius]

Racicot is definitely not a conservative. He had his own David Souter moment as governor when he appointed who has turned out to be the worst, most leftwing member of the Montana Sup Court (can't remember his name right now), and as RNC head he needlessly insulted social conservatives.

So yes, I'd definitely prefer Rehberg.

But if it were Racicot vs either Dem, then I'd favor Racicot, because he'd at least vote for good Sup Court nominees, whereas both Tester and Morrison said they would have voted against Alito.

Ideally, Burns would get out, and then Rehberg would step in and hold the seat. Then maybe Racicot could do in 2008 what so many wanted him to do in 2002 -- take on Baucus.

[Aetius]

Exactly. Someone needs to play up with Burns the desirablity of going out as a winner, and not risk losing an important seat over his ego.

[Clintonfatigued]

IMHO, when state Senate Minority Leader Bob Keenan threatened to challenge Burns in the GOP primary, he was actually trying to goad Denny Rehberg into running.

Then Keenan would go for Rehberg's House seat.

I hope Rehberg does run.

[bilhosty]

The only other Republican to win a Senate seat in Montana is linked below.

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=E000037

[MikeA]

Then it is incumbent upon party leaders including Frist and the head of the RSCC, perhaps even the president, to talk him out of running and causing us to lose this seat. Crimeny, the man is as old as dirt anyway. Time to go retire and enjoy some Montana fly fishing.

[Kuksool]

I hope the Justice Dept indicts Burns soon. Then he'll be forced to quite re-election.

[Kuksool]

In January, Rehberg did meet with Rove and Dole about running for the Senate in the event that Burns opt for retirement. Rehberg seems to be waiting for Burns to make the first move. Sadly, Republicans in Congress have egos the size the federal budget. They are disconnected from reality.

[onyx]

While you are hibernating...

[CharlesWayneCT]

Why don't we let him stay in until a month or two before the election, and if he's still behind, we just have him quit then and stick Mark R. in to replace him.

Hey, it worked for the Democrats. And it's even the same reason, appearance of scandal. It would be fun to see them in court arguing exactly OPPOSITE what they argued in 2002....

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The secret this year is how weak Democrat candidates are at home.

That's why they won't put forward any "new" ideas.

Republicans could pick up seats in the Senate.........

and I hope they do.