Political positions of Brian Schweitzer

Brian Schweitzer, the former Governor of Montana, has taken positions on many political issues through public comments and official acts. His political philosophy has been characterized by Nathan Daschle, the former executive-director of the Democratic Governors Association, as one that mixes "progressive values, populist rhetoric, and Western self-reliance".[1] Brink Lindsey of the CATO Institute has referred to Schweitzer as a "liberaltarian" (a portmanteau of "liberal" and "libertarian") who espouses an "anti-NAFTA, Wal-Mart-bashing economic populism."[2]

Schweitzer is a member of the Democratic Party.

Abortion

The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) has described Schweitzer as "pro-choice."[3] In the 2004 National Political Awareness Test, Schweitzer said he supported upholding "the Supreme Court's decision that protects a woman's right to choose and make private health decisions with her doctor."[4] In 2011, as governor of Montana, he vetoed a bill enacted by the state legislature that would have criminalized abortion.[5]

Defense and foreign policy

Schweitzer has said he opposed the Iraq War and believes the United States should not be the "world's policeman."[6] Schweitzer has called for the United States to pursue a more moderate agenda in the Middle East, stating that the government of Iran is motivated to pursue nuclear weapons partly as a result of U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia.[7]

Schweitzer has occasionally criticized the foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration and its members, describing the president as being "okay transferring them [taxpayer funds] into the military-industrial complex's pockets," and characterizing Obama as similar to Woodrow Wilson whom he derisively called "the last really big Democratic corporatist." [8] During a series of speeches in 2013, CNN reported that Schweitzer "repeatedly chided" U.S. Senate Democrats, implicitly including former Senator Hillary Clinton, for supporting the Iraq war resolution and called on Democrats to "keep the Iraq war vote in mind" when nominating a presidential candidate in 2016.[9]

Domestic surveillance

Schweitzer has characterized National Security Agency domestic surveillance programs as "illegal" and has called for clemency for accused whistleblower Edward Snowden.[10]

Marijuana

As governor of Montana, Schweitzer vetoed legislation that would have repealed Montana's 2004 legalization of medicinal marijuana by dramatically setting the bill's numeric designation on fire in front of the capitol with a branding iron cast with the word "VETO."[11]

Energy and environment

Schweitzer has been strongly supportive of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project, which is opposed by environmentalists and some Democrats. In 2012 Schweitzer said, in reference to members of the Congress who oppose the project that, "these jackasses that are complaining about the Keystone pipeline in Washington, D.C., one year ago wouldn't have even known where the Keystone was." At the same time he criticized Republicans for only taking up support of the project after it gained media attention.[12] Schweitzer has also advocated expanding domestic coal production and exports.[13]

Schweitzer has said he supports energy independence but opposes what he describes as a "single-answer proposition" reliant on increased oil drilling. During the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Schweitzer said "we can't simply drill our way to energy independence."[14] He has said he supports efforts to transition 25-percent of the U.S.' energy production to renewable sources by the year 2025.[15]

Gun laws

Schweitzer has been an outspoken opponent of firearms regulation and has summarized his position on gun control as "you control yours, I'll control mine."[16] Asked in 2006 how many firearms he personally owns he said "more than I need, but less than I want."[17] As governor of Montana, Schweitzer displayed a firearm in his office, despite a weapons ban on the grounds of the Montana State Capitol.[13]

In 2008 Schweitzer received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association.[18] While governor of Montana, in 2011, Schweitzer signed into law several pieces of legislation described by the NRA as "pro-gun bills," legalizing the use of a flash suppressor and restricting the authority of the state game department to regulate the types of ammunition used in hunting. Schweitzer did, however, veto a bill that would have allowed concealed carry of firearms without a permit.[19]

Healthcare

Schweitzer has stated his opposition to the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act, describing it as a "corporatist" policy.[20] In a 2014 interview with MSNBC, Schweitzer said, "I suppose I’m a Democrat, and I ought to roll over like a fat dog and get scratched by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies because, gee, we have to apologize for so-called Obamacare. I’m not going to apologize a damn bit.”[21] Schweitzer has said that, instead of "Obamacare," he supports expanding Medicare eligibility to all persons, instead of only those 65 years of age and older as under the current system. Under his proposal, persons not eligible for private health insurance would be able to pay to enroll in Medicare.[22] He has presented his plan as a simpler alternative to "Obamacare," saying it could "fit on the back of an envelope."[1]

During his time as governor of Montana, he moved to implement a form of single payer health insurance on a state level but was unable to make significant headway.[23]

Same-sex marriage

Schweitzer has been guarded in comments on the issue of same-sex marriage to the point that even close observers have been unclear on his opinion. When asked directly by a reporter from The Daily Beast in 2013 as to his position on the issue, Schweitzer responded "I believe that two people who love each other ought to be legally married ... given the opportunity to support people of the same gender getting married, I do."[24]

Taxation

Schweitzer has said he opposes proposals to replace the current U.S. income tax with a flat tax.[25]

References

  1. 1 2 Warren, Michael (23 December 2013). "Schweitzer Takes Aim". Weekly Standard. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Lindsay, Brink. "Liberaltarians". CATO Institute. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Reproductive Rights in Montana". NARAL. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Brian Schweitzer's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "HB 167 - Criminalizes Death to an Unborn Child - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Jacobs, Jennifer (18 December 2013). "2016 watch: In Iowa, Democrat Brian Schweitzer cautions against war". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "Populist Former Montana Gov. Stakes Out Positions to the Left of Clinton, Pledges Clemency for Snowden". Mediaite. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Weigel, David (6 January 2014). "I Do Not Trust Politicians". Salon. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "In Iowa, Schweitzer takes aim at Clinton's Iraq vote". CNN. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  10. ↑ Blake, Aaron (6 January 2014). "Schweitzer wants clemency for Edward Snowden". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer wields "VETO" branding iron". CBS News. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  12. ↑ German, Ben (24 February 2012). "Montana's Democratic governor slams 'jackasses' in DC for Keystone delay". The Hill. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  13. 1 2 Gouras, Matt (15 October 2012). "Brian Schweitzer, Montana Democratic Governor, Stays Popular In Conservative State". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "McCain energy plan not just more drilling". Politifact. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  15. ↑ German, Ben (8 April 2008). "Gov. Schweitzer Calls for 'New Energy System' at 25x'25 Roundtable Forum". 25x'25. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Schweitzer: Anti-gun control position wouldn't fly". Missoulian. Missoula, Montana. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  17. ↑ Nussbaum, Paul (20 June 2006). "Where Democrats proudly own guns In Montana, less of a partisan issue.". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  18. ↑ Kleiner, Sam (8 January 2014). "Brian Schweitzer, Would-Be Liberal Hero, is an NRA Darling". New Republic. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "2011 Montana Legislative Session Wraps Up with Three Pro-Gun Bills Signed into Law". NRA Institute for Legislative Affairs. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  20. ↑ Bouie, Janel (15 January 2014). "Why Brian Schweitzer Has Already Lost". Daily Beast. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  21. ↑ Kopan, Tal (15 January 2014). "Brian Schweitzer: No Obamacare apology". Politico. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  22. ↑ "Schweitzer warns Democrats against "looking in the rear view mirror" in 2016". Radio Iowa. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  23. ↑ Reuters: Brian Schweitzer, Montana Governor, Sees Big Savings With New State Health Clinic. September 30, 2012.
  24. ↑ Freedlander, David (27 March 2013). "Number of Democratic Holdouts Against Gay Marriage Is Dwindling Fast". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  25. ↑ "Brian Schweitzer on Tax Reform". On the Issues. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
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