When Brian Schweitzer decided not to run for the U.S. Senate, Steve Daines stepped into the frontrunner’s role, although he has yet to step into the ring (he will, probably next week). Daines doesn’t need a mistake free campaign to win, but he does need to avoid big mistakes that cause voters to lose confidence in him. That’s Politics 101.
Daines probably doesn’t see shutting down the federal government, or causing the federal government to default on its debts, as political or policy mistakes, let alone big mistakes, but I do — and I think a majority of Montana’s voters will, too.
Schweitzer, incidentally, headlines the Flathead Democrats’ Harvest Dinner on next Friday, 4 October. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online. But if you expect him to say anything kind about Steve Daines, you’re likely to be disappointed.