Tuesday Surprise: Governor Schweitzer
We all knew before the Democratic Convention began that today would be an exciting day with Mark Warner’s keynote address and culminating with Hillary Clinton’s late speech. Warner’s speech was actually rather plain and forgettable. Hillary’s was powerful, and even beat expectations. But the real surprise was the exciting governor from the state that doesn’t get a lot of national attention, Montana’s Brian Schweitzer.
You can read the transcript of Schweitzer’s speech, but the text fails to do justice to the connection he made with the audience. Schweitzer appeared comfortable and confident, and had a remarkably effective delivery in a setting and timeslot that set him up for mediocrity. He came on right after Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who gave a very unimpressive speech that not many seemed to listen to. And he spoke right before Clinton, which threatened to completely overshadow him.
I really do not know a lot about Governor Schweitzer, and there is not a lot of national media coverage on him. But this much is clear: Schweitzer is likely to have more national exposure. His speech tonight will be compared to Obama’s 2004 speech that propelled him to the national spotlight when the dust settles and the Clinton story is old. Daily Kos mentioned Schweitzer as a possible dark horse Vice President for Obama a few days ago. At fifty two, he is young, and he is developing a reputation in Montana as well as in the national Democratic Party. Perhaps he will find his way into the primary race after a few cycles.
Before Kolby comments, let me say this: Clinton’s speech was really really good. I literally got goosebumps at times and I kind of wished that she had been the VP (maybe…).
Also, Biden needs to bring down the house tomorrow, or he is going to look like a cheap replacement for Hillary.
I’d say he already has a reputation in Montana, and Schweitzer is certainly one to watch in the future (perhaps as the non-Hillary in 2012 should Obama lose, in which case I shall be forced to crush him).
If Obama wins (humor me), will Hillary be too old in 2016? She will be 68. Biden will be 73, and that is almost definitely too old. Schweitzer will just be a young, spry 60.
I think you’re right in saying that Schweitzer represents future Democratic leadership. Up until recent, I didn’t even know the guy.
It would be really sweet if that turned out to be right and I got to link back to this post in 4 or 8 years. :) Also, I tagged it with “2012 election” and “2016 election” so that if someday someone sorts all of the posts with those tags, this will be one of the first.