(Montana Gov.) Schweitzer takes veto brand to Republican bills

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

Displaying his trademark showmanship, Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer stood on the Capitol steps Wednesday and punctuated his rejection of 17 Republican bills by emblazoning representations of several of them with his "VETO" branding irons.

Republicans, predictably, were not impressed and criticized the governor, saying he was making a mockery of the system. Legislative Republican leaders are gearing up for budget negotiations with the governor.

... The governor also made it clear there will be more vetoes to come for GOP ideas he described as frivolous, silly, unconstitutional or "just bad ideas." So far this session, Schweitzer has vetoed 21 bills. And he promises to turn back another as it is formally gets to him.

... Dozens of onlookers cheered as papers burned under the heat of the "VETO" irons and left the imprint on a piece of wood - the larger the iron, the more important Schweitzer considers the issue.

Read more: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_0b81ef20-6602-11e0-a8ca-001cc4c03286.html

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[brooklynite]

1. This is why he should consider running for President in '16

Showy perhaps, but it plays to his populist image, and I think we'd be good to look out of the northeast/Midwest/south where we traditionally go for candidates.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. We could use some showy Democrats.

Weren't Kennedy, LBJ, and Clinton all pretty extroverted? It works for Dems, too.

[sasha031]

2. I would love if Obama did that

agreed he should run:)

[Democat]

13. If Obama ever took the lead it would be great.

But I wouldn't expect it after what we've seen so far.

[Kolesar]

19. Do you want a tissue? eom

[Drale]

3. Maybe we can get him to take a trip to Washington

and use that branding iron on Boners ass.

[AllTooEasy]

4. A little over-the-top grandstanding - but a VETO none-the-less!!!

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. Yay for over the top grandstanding!

[Ramulux]

5. Thats badass

[tpsbmam]

6. Spewwwwww!

I have to admit that I friggin love it! The picture did me in.

:rofl: :spray:

K&R for a guy doing what I've been feeling!

[NCarolinawoman]

7. LOL

I love those expressions on the faces of the people, and what's that dog, thinking?!!! :rofl: :P

[here_is_to_hope]

15. I think its his dog

so it could be another day at the corral...or office.

[highplainsdem]

8. Love it! And the eminent domain bill he vetoed was apparently from ALEC. Links:

First link is a Montana news article with more detail

http://www.krtv.com/news/branding-battle-governor-uses-veto-on-17-bills-gop-responds-with-bs-/

listing all the vetoed bills, including the eminent domain bill:

"SB 254 - Hutton - Provide state eminent domain authority for federal lands"

Earlier topic about that bill:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x796150

[Kolesar]

18. That's what we needed to know! ... eom

[Omaha Steve]

9. Could he come to Nebraska?

K&R!

[Odin2005]

11. LOL, that is cool!

[stevedeshazer]

12. I met that guy, he's great!

I really liked him in person. He's a showboat in a good way. One of my favorite politicians today.

+1

[NuttyFluffers]

14. I think he's tremendous!

:toast: :bounce:

[47of74]

16. I wish Iowa could have a Governor like this

Someone not afraid to stand up to the teabaggers and religious nut jobs and someone who isn't talking out of his ass when it comes to finances instead of the joke we have now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. We need to clone him! Damn, he's good!

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. Now that's style.

[lumberjack_jeff]

22. Harbor freight clamps holding the sign to the post. Doh. n/t