Angry Lange lashes out at Schweitzer

Billings Gazette ^ | 27 Apr 2007 | CHARLES S. JOHNSON and MIKE DENNISON

[oblomov]

HELENA - The House Republican majority leader, Michael Lange, unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at Gov. Brian Schweitzer Wednesday, saying the Democratic governor "can go straight to hell."

Lange, of Billings, exploded during a meeting of House Republicans Wednesday morning and repeatedly attacked Schweitzer, who was not present.

The GOP leader called Schweitzer an "SOB on the second floor that thinks he's going to run this state like a dictator."

He later apologized to fellow House members on the floor.

Rep. Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls, then rose on a "point of personal privilege" to respond, saying he had never heard anything as "vile and as insulting as I heard today."

"Mark my word," said Wilson, a 14-year veteran of the Legislature. "This is a very low point in the history of this body."

Lange's blow-up came about 90 minutes after he had met with Schweitzer to talk about an offer that Democrats considered a tax and budget compromise to end the session.

[oblomov]

There will come a point for the rest of the US when further political compromise and "civility" will no longer be an option.

[machogirl]

if he’s listened to the msm, he’s heard comments a lot more insulting toward our country and various republican figures

[Cicero]

It sounds to me as if his language was appropriate for the circumstances. He uses a three letter word especially relevant to Democrats.

Asked if he intended to apologize to Schweitzer, Lange told reporters later, "I respect the office of the governor. I'm not apologizing to him. As far as my frustration level with him and his tactics, I make no apologies to him."

[geezerwheezer]

At least this guy knows where he stands....which is a lot more than I can say for a bunch of his fellow Republicans. We need more like him to start calling out the dimwits that are causing so much of our turmoil with their B.S laws and rules and political correctness crap!

[fr_freak]

As far as I’m concerned, our state and federal legislatures could use a lot more canings.

[Gay State Conservative]

The GOP leader called Schweitzer an "SOB on the second floor that thinks he's going to run this state like a dictator."

If this Schweitzer is like 99% of his fellow RATS I see no problem at all with this quote.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Rep. Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls, then rose on a "point of personal privilege" to respond, saying he had never heard anything as "vile and as insulting as I heard today."

Apparently Bill must wear earmuffs when he's at a rodent caucus meet when they're talking about Dubya.

[Clintonfatigued]

If I’m not mistaken, Lange is a potential opponent to Senator Max Baucus.

[dfwgator]

Sounds like the kind of guy the GOP needs.

Politics is not about civility, never has been, never will be. But a lot of GOP politicians seems to naively believe that.