Campaign Contribution

There was an <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/09/news/state/40-horsesense.txt">interesting story</a> in the Gazette about a week ago about how if the candidates for Governor of the state don't have a primary challenger, they will have to give some of the campaign contributions they have received so far back. As of last reporting <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> had over $200,000 at risk if he didn't have a primary challenger.<br />n<br />nIt's looking like Schweitzer is going to luck out though. Two complete political unknowns <a href="http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/18/news/state/35-democratrun.txt">are set to enter the race</a> and challenge <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> in the primary. <br />n<br />nDid Schweitzer and the Democrat party put these guys up to this to save the big load of campaign cash Brian Schweitzer is carrying? No, I really don't think so, but it is a very effective way for two people to contribute a very large amount of money to the Schweitzer campaign. Over $100,000 a piece contribution to Schweitzer's campaign just for simply filing as a candidate. That's well above the $1,000 normally an individual can contribute so it is quite the campaign contribution.<br />n<br />nPogreba and Neiffer say they can bring a significant debate about education issues and how the Governor is weak in this area to the front burner. Maybe they can, and maybe they can't, I don't know. What I do know is that these two individuals have to know that people are going to look at their run with a very cynical eye and a lot of criticism with the campaign cash issue in play. If they didn't realize this, I think they are in for a rude awakening.<br />n<br />n<strong>The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. Anatole France </strong>