Sweitzer is the only politician in Montana who would win hands down. After he decided not to run the Dims were left with a bunch of unknown, nobody, candidates.
Daines has name recognition but this is potentially going to close that gap.
Daines currently leads by 17 points, and the Lt. Gov. is not exactly an unknown like the dim’s candidate in South Dakota. Being a sitting interim senator won’t put many points on the board. Jeff Chiesa’s name recognition in New Jersey didn’t really change when he was made a senator.
Obamacare will sink the dem’s in Montana, and I predict they lose this race by double digits. Their track record of holding onto red state seats when some dynastic tool dies or retires, is poor. They’ve had some good luck in North Dakota and West Virginia in the past, but beyond that, once a dinosaur like Baucus goes, the seat will usually go to the ideological leaning of the state.
Besides, Daines for all his faults, is not Denny Rehberg. He won’t be taking anything for granted, and he’s a pretty savvy politician.