Posted on 03/19/2006 9:42:57 AM PST by MassachusettsGOP
HELENA — Bob Keenan, the top Republican leader in the Montana Senate, said Thursday he is considering challenging Sen. Conrad Burns in the primary election because he is “concerned’’ about Burns’ re-election chances because of a lobbying scandal.
“First, Republican voters need to make a decision about their gut-level support for Conrad,’’ Keenan wrote in an e-mail from Costa Rica, where he is visiting his oldest daughter who is on a college exchange there. “If they are for Conrad, then vote for him in June and fight for him to win the November election. If they want an alternate, viable option they can be proud of, then for a high-quality, clean candidate named Bob Keenan.’’
After the primary, Keenan urged Republicans “to unite for the winner.’’
Keenan wrote later that he’s not yet sure he’s going to jump into the race. He, like others the Bigfork Republican has spoken with, is worried about Burns’ race.
Keenan’s statement came the day after the former Senate president and current Senate minority leader, confirmed he is not running for a seat in the state House of Representatives.
Term limits prohibited the leader from seeking another term in the Montana Senate.
Karl Ohs, chairman of the Montana Republican Party, said “the beauty of our system of government is that public service is honored and encouraged. Until Bob Keenan decides what he is going to do, I have nothing further to add.’’
Ohs also praised Burns for his years in the senate and for helping to bring $2 billion in federal money to Montana.
Democrats, not surprisingly, had a different take.
“When Mr. Keenan returns from Costa Rica, we will welcome him with open arms to the large cross-section of Montanans who believe Conrad Burns’ relationship with Jack Abramoff is both embarrassing and hurting Montana,’’ said Matt McKenna, a spokesman of the Montana Democratic Party.
Burns has been consistently linked to the ongoing U.S. Justice Department investigation into lobbying abuses involving Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in January to corruption related charges.
Burns received around $150,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff, his associates and tribal clients more than any other lawmaker, according to the Washington Post.
That newspaper, and others, has reported that Burns is under investigation by the Justice Department. The paper has cited anonymous sources. Burns has consistently said no one from the agency has contacted his office about the investigation.
Burns is so drunk with power, the man needs to step down. He's the perfect poster boy for dems to beat over the head with.
Dennis Rehberg for US Senate!
Bob Keenan for MT Rep At Large!
Yeah, I actually like that configuration better now that you mention it.
thought this would interest you
IMHO, Keenan is positioning himself for a Congressional campaign should Conrad Burns step aside and Denny Rehberg runs to succeed him.
thanks very much! : )
Burns is not going to step aside. He made that clear last week in the Billings Gazette.
Conrad Burns, Katherine Harris, Bob Ney...the list of people with Patomic Fever goes on and on, and conservatives are not immune to it.
Oh well, the other options are to stay home and bitch and moan, or vote third party or vote Democrat, and I will do none of that.
Well, if Burns stays in the race, Denny Rehberg seeks reelection, and Bob Keenan runs against Burns in the primary, Republicans should seriously consider supporting Keenan.
That's assuming Keenan challenges Burns. He has yet to make up his mind. Keenan seems to be swallowed up in the media smear campaign.
That seems more likely.
I don't think it's a good idea for him to run. I don't think he'll win the primary, and if he runs, he'll only make it harder for Burns to win.
But hopefully, it'll make Burns realize he shouldn't run, and the situation you set up would play out fine.
That's my hope, that in November Denny Rehberg will be Senator and Burns will be enjoying private life.
I wonder if Bush could offer him a cabinent appointment to get him out of the race? Politically, it would look bad, but nobody but politicos would notice anyway.
Conrad Burns for Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia!
Is Marc Racicot still in Washington DC?
Please remove me from your ping list.
Burns ran as a staunch conservative in 1988, but he has not really lived up to the spirit of his professed beliefs. I definitely believe that he will be renominated and that the Democrats will easily defeat him in November. MT is usually a Democrat state for senator anyway.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.