Just yesterday, on this blog, I reported GOP internal poll numbers that suggested former Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger (D-MT) is a stronger candidate than current Lt. Gov John Walsh (D-MT). That same internal poll showed US Senate candidate Steve Daines (R-MT) leading both, but with a much greater lead over Walsh than Bohlinger.
Liberal bloggers in Helena scoffed- “Does anyone, and I mean anyone, really believe that absurd Daines poll…?” asked Don Pogreba.
Apparently John Bohlinger does. Because later that same day, he announced that he would be running for the US Senate- pitting him against current Lt. Gov. John Walsh and Dirk Adams in the Democratic primary .
As MTN’s Sanjay Talwani reports for KTVQ-TV:
He made the announcement at the Lewis and Clark County Democrats’ fundraising dinner Tuesday, he confirmed Tuesday night.
“I have submitted papers to the Federal Election Commission that will identify me as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate,” he said in a telephone interview Tuesday evening.
Of his rivals for the position, he had praise for Walsh, but said he thought the people of Montana, not Washington or Montana political insiders, should pick the Democratic nominee.
Former Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger makes formal announcement in Helena for 2014 Senate race. #mtpol pic.twitter.com/eh8vjuBGHL
— Jill Jagelski (@JJagelskiBNBC) November 6, 2013
Bohlinger’s line about the DC establishment may clearly strike a chord with Democratic primary voters, especially as the establishment has clearly settled behind John Walsh. The DSCC Wednesday morning touted an endorsement by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) for Walsh. This bitter primary may already be heating up as a sitting US Senator and the DSCC take sides in a primary battle.
Rep Daines internals had him up only 9 over Bohlinger, but 17 over Walsh. http://t.co/pURMtEocUF Going to be exciting #MTsen primary. #MTpol
— Bob Brigham (@BobBrigham) November 6, 2013
Montana: Ugly Democratic primary battle. Schweitzer vs Tester/Max Baucus continuation. Gonna get ugly. http://t.co/f6mq9pmob2 #MTSen
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) November 6, 2013
Here’s another reason the “establishment” line will strike a chord. I’d heard from another Democrat considering a run for US Senate who told me that “Harry Reid had already decided that John Walsh was his guy.”
Now this- New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) apparently raising money for Walsh in DC:
Join Sens. Tester, Baucus & Schumer to Support MT Sen. Candidate John Walsh – November 13!
Please Join
Senator & Mrs. Jon Tester
&
Senator Max Baucus
Along with
Special Guest
Senator Chuck Schumer
For an Evening Reception
In Support of
Lt. Governor John Walsh
Candidate for US Senate – Montana
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Suggested Contribution Levels:
Host: $5,000 PAC/$2,600 Individual
Co-Host: $2,500 PAC/ $1000 Individual
Guest: $500 Individual
At
622 C Street NE
Washington, DC
Please RSVP to Ashley Flanagan at
Contributions or gifts to Walsh for Montana are not tax-deductible.
|
Paid for by Walsh for Montana. |
220 I Street NE
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20002
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Mel Frost
Wednesday, November 06, 2013 10:09 PM
Must be nice to just “show up” and collect money, eh?… Oh, that’s what they’ve done for years, isn’t it?…
There must be some breakdown with communications here; the “leadership” and the “powers’ that be” seem to already have the results of any vote…yet, those running here in MT have not got the word, at all.. Must be the water back in DC, eh?..
Of course, with the “voting records” for Dem’s…is there any reason NOT to expect them to know the outcome before the papers are even filed? 105% and 103% of all registered voters down in Florida managed to find the DEM box, eh?