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McCain scrambles for Montana strategy (former Sen. Conrad Burns with McCain)
missoulian.com ^ | MATT GOURAS

Posted on 02/04/2008 12:28:01 PM PST by moderate_conservative

HELENA - Republicans say John McCain now has a better chance in Montana's unique GOP caucus - open to only about 2,000 party volunteers and officeholders - after getting rid of a state chairman many in that group saw as a traitor.

McCain dumped Montana's maverick lieutenant governor recently in favor of former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, much more popular with GOP insiders despite losing his re-election bid in 2006 amid suspicions over connections to a Washington, D.C., lobbying scandal.

The move comes as McCain has spent time and money nailing down his conservative credentials in other states. In Montana, Burns is still loved by many conservative Republican insiders who will vote in Tuesday's caucus. * At stake are 25 Montana delegates granted to the caucus winner - more than McCain got with his South Carolina win.

McCain's first choice for Montana chairman, Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, clearly was not a fit for the state's GOP caucus system, prompting the abrupt change late last month.

The GOP insiders who hold a vote in the winner-take-all caucus view Bohlinger as a turncoat for running with a Democratic governor.

(Excerpt) Read more at missoulian.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: Montana
KEYWORDS: burns; conradburns; elections; mccain; montana; mt2008; rino

1 posted on 02/04/2008 12:28:02 PM PST by moderate_conservative
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To: moderate_conservative

For those who think I am on the payroll of McCain. Good news for McCain: Conrad Burns.


2 posted on 02/04/2008 12:29:22 PM PST by moderate_conservative
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To: moderate_conservative
What is a moderate-liberal like McCain doing in Montanta?

Shouldn't he be with his metro-republican buddies in San Francisco?
3 posted on 02/04/2008 12:29:41 PM PST by elizabetty (John McCain Hates Michael Reagan...........John McCain Hates Me, too. The feeling is mutual.)
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To: moderate_conservative

Just as McCain is a turncoat.
And linked to Washington scandals, too.


4 posted on 02/04/2008 12:29:54 PM PST by counterpunch (McCain/Kennedy '08)
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To: counterpunch

5 posted on 02/04/2008 12:30:51 PM PST by bmwcyle (What is the American voter thinking?)
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To: elizabetty

why is McCain campaigning in the US? Surely, Mexico would make more sense, given that he has high level (”Mexico First!”) Mexican goverment officials in his senior adviser positions.


6 posted on 02/04/2008 12:32:01 PM PST by tanaka
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To: elizabetty

Why is McCain scrambling??? I thought he had this all wrapped up.


7 posted on 02/04/2008 12:33:37 PM PST by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)
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To: moderate_conservative

I lived in Montana for a number of years and would be surprised if the GOP caucus there went for McCain. Conrad Burns in those years was an inspiration...but like so many who go to DC for years, he ended up a disappointment and got the boot.


8 posted on 02/04/2008 12:33:45 PM PST by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: moderate_conservative
The move comes as McCain has spent time and money nailing down his conservative credentials in other states.

McCain doesn't have any conservative credentials. Saying such a thing and expecting anyone to believe it assumes we're all a bunch of idiots.

9 posted on 02/04/2008 12:34:31 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: moderate_conservative
Here. I think you dropped your daily dose of Kool-Aid...


10 posted on 02/04/2008 12:35:37 PM PST by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
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To: moderate_conservative

Did my eyes deceive me or was McCain campaigning in MA where Romney has a wide lead?


11 posted on 02/04/2008 12:38:29 PM PST by psjones (u)
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To: Jeff Head

Like the rest of people jumping on the Straight Jacket Express they are jockeying for influence and/or a job. Looks like Burns has just bought a firt class ticket.


12 posted on 02/04/2008 12:50:10 PM PST by lone star annie (Two more days to save the Republic from Invasion)
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To: moderate_conservative
I have a deep distrust of the Senate good ol’ boys club. Senators, IMO, are the worst candidates for the Oval Office. Living in WDC is not like living in the USA>

Maybe if they have had some executive experience or know what it is to work for a living, I could go with a senator, otherwise - NO!!!

13 posted on 02/04/2008 12:50:58 PM PST by elpadre
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To: Digital Sniper

14 posted on 02/04/2008 12:51:56 PM PST by DoughtyOne (McCain: RNC will adore him. Get ready for McCain day in photos & Prayer threads. Oh the humanities!)
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To: moderate_conservative

These endorsements would carry more weight had they not waited till McCain was the supposed frontrunner to endorse him.


15 posted on 02/04/2008 12:52:20 PM PST by psjones (u)
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To: moderate_conservative

Conrad Burns?????? Wasn’t he up to his keister in the Jack Abramoff mess? Didn’t the loss of his seat cost the GOP its majority in the Senate? Why the hell would Saint John be campaigning with him? What’s next - going to Idaho with Larry Craig?


16 posted on 02/04/2008 1:20:19 PM PST by Dems_R_Losers (Waiting for 2012 to vote for an actual Republican)
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To: Dems_R_Losers
Conrad Burns?????? Wasn’t he up to his keister in the Jack Abramoff mess? Didn’t the loss of his seat cost the GOP its majority in the Senate? Why the hell would Saint John be campaigning with him?

Conrad laid his hand upon John McCain's straight-talk garments and was cleansed of all wrong.

Mr. niteowl77

17 posted on 02/04/2008 1:46:10 PM PST by niteowl77
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To: moderate_conservative

“former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, much more popular with GOP insiders despite losing his re-election bid in 2006 amid suspicions over connections to a Washington, D.C., lobbying scandal.”

Right....now there’s a winning endorsement from another looser.


18 posted on 02/04/2008 1:50:20 PM PST by AuntB (" DON'T LET THE PRESS PICK YOUR CANDIDATE!" Mrs. Duncan Hunter 1/5/08)
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To: lone star annie
Regardless of who you support, please vote in the FR poll:

"Which GOP presidential hopeful do you want to see win the most delegates on Super Tuesday?

Member Opinion
Mitt Romney 75.4% 1,477
Ron Paul 11.6% 228
Mike Huckabee 7.5% 147
John McCain 5.4% 106
99.9% 1,958

19 posted on 02/04/2008 1:52:00 PM PST by icwhatudo (The National Right To Life founder endorsed Romney-So did the GOP's Pro-life "plank" writer.)
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To: elizabetty; La Enchiladita
open to only about 2,000 party volunteers and officeholders

The FIX is in...McCain is no different than Hillery, but with this type of caucus...THE fix is in!

20 posted on 02/04/2008 3:02:00 PM PST by jan in Colorado ("It's easier to believe a lie one hears 1,000 times than to believe a fact that one has never heard)
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