Nominate a fellow DUer for Montana LT Governor

[Wetzelbill]

Here is the link to the MT gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzers' website. I'd like to be his running mate. I feel I'm a better choice than most others out there, we certainly couldn't do worse than what we have had. For info on my I pasted the quick bio I wrote up when I nominated myself. Thank you all very much. -Bill Wetzel

http://www.brianschweitzer.com/ltgov.html

I have an AAA degree in Video Production from the Art Institute of Seattle and I am currently a Political Science/ Creative Writing double major at the University of Arizona. (I have never relinquished my MT state resident status, I just attended schools out of state)

My most recent job has been as an opinions columnist for the Arizona Daily Wildcat, however I also have written political essays for Red Ink Magazine and,besides my film writing, I am a coauthor of a novel entitled "The Acorn Gathering: Writers Uniting Against Cancer," which donated every profit toward cancer research.

I am an enrolled Blackfeet Indian from Cut Bank, MT- I will be moving back to the state this next month to Missoula- and have had an interest in politics all of my life. My recently deceased grandfather Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was a former Blackfeet Tribal chairman, President of National Congress of American Indians and a close personal friend on JFK and Senator Mike Mansfield. My Uncle Don Wetzel served in former Governor Stan Stephens' cabinet 15 years ago and I have always been intrigued about someday becoming the Indian Affairs representative for a progressive governor, unlike the majority we have had in MT.

I am involved in campus politics, was a student representative for the Arizona Tri-Universities for Indian Education Conference, in which, I addressed the entire conference and was the lead presenter for the work group I was assigned in. One of my ideas - a internet scholarship clearinghouse and the training programs for tribal members to learn web skills- was chosen to be presented from our group and written into the charter. One of only a few ideas picked at the time during the whole conference. I am a strong advocate of the permeation of cultural education-particularly American Indian- into the school system. I believe this will help eliminate incognizance and rancor while encouraging tolerance and improving the education of students of all races.

My political sentiments are extremely progressive. I was contacted by the late Senator Paul Wellstone's office and was planning on doing an internship with him at the time of his death. As of now, I wholeheartedly support Dennis Kucinich for president. I believe that I would be a great compliment to Governor Schweitzer as a LT. Governor or as in the Indian Affairs coordinator position in his cabinet. I am nearly 29 years old, a excellent public speaker and avid reader. My writing skills speak for themselves, but my thirst for knowledge sets me apart. I read anything I can get my hands on and love public policy. What I lack in experience I will more than make up in dedication.

I want to take a state that at times is blindly conservative and bring them in the proper direction. As a columnist, essayist and activist, I have a reputation for taking on issues nobody else will write or speak up about. I want to carry this over to public policy and centralize the issues that are most important to the people of Montana. I believe in grassroots policies that have common sense applications for regular people, not in ideology. I am avidly against deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy and get rich quick concepts that destroy the environment and have little long term economic growth.

I plan to travel all over the state, listen and cultivate what people want, not what a political party wants. Take this into context with a progressive governor and a progressive agenda and Montana will finally get moving into the proper direction.

As a public face in the governor's cabinet, I plan to utilize my writing skills frequently. I will write op-eds constantly to all the papers in the state, letting the people of Montana know what we are doing for them and allowing them to see our goals reach fruition. Let's face it, Democrats know how to run an economy and save an environment. We need to be adamant about proving it. This is all that I will bring to Governor Schweitzer's vision, in whatever capacity I may serve in his cabinet. Be it in an Indian affairs position or LT Governor. I will back him wholeheartedly, compromising when I have to and giving frank assessments, as well. After all, I am a columnist so I flat out speak my mind when it comes to ideals and integrity. This is only the tip of what I'd like to talk about, but thank you for reading this and I look forward to hearing from you soon. I promise to live up to all the ideals I mentioned. Thank you very much.

[acmavm]

1. Hey, how about coming here to Nebraska and running for Governor?

We certainly could use a man like you.

[xchrom]

2. whoa -- montana needs you

that's wonderful -- but in case you change your mind -- we have a governor here in california who needs a good trowncing in the next election.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

3. Good luck

from Oregon.

[stevedeshazer]

4. You have been nominated (again)

Your nomination has been seconded. This is what I wrote:

Although I am not from Montana myself, I have visited your beautiful state many times. Last summer, I even had the pleasure of meeting Brian at the State Fair in Great Falls, and I think he's a great candidate.

That said, I became aware of Bill Wetzel through his writing. He is a very thoughtful and articulate guy whose political outlook is similar to mine. Montana could use a progressive thinker like him, and his ties to the Native American community would be a real plus. I hope you will consider Mr. Wetzel, and good luck in your quest for the governorship of your fine state.

___________________________________________________________

Good luck, sir. As you can see, I met Brian Schweitzer personally, quite by accident. I love Montana, and hope to move there some day. I've even been to Cut Bank, for what it's worth.

Steve

[Wetzelbill]

5. You've been to CB?

Wow, small town, small world.

I've never met Brian Schweitzer, I have heard he's a great guy though. He gave Conrad Burns a pretty good go last year for Senate.

Thank you all very much.

[jiacinto]

6. Good luck

Sorry I don't want to be mean. But you write:

"As of now, I wholeheartedly support Dennis Kucinich for president."

DK is way too liberal for MT. And I am not sure if that is something they will be willing to see past.

Othewise you have done well for yourself.

[Wetzelbill]

7. oh I know he is, I still wouldn't lie about my conviction though

[jiacinto]

8. I understand

But I don't see you being picked because of it. Sorry--I don't mean to be rude, but that's how I see it.