December 3, 2008
Posted: 01:40 PM ET

From
Schweitzer will chair the DGA.
Schweitzer will chair the DGA.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Democratic Governor's Association announced Wednesday that Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer will take over as the group's chairman, replacing West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin.

Schweitzer, a bolo tie-wearing moderate who handily won a second term as governor in November, was elected at the DGA's annual winter meeting, with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley winning the post of vice-chair.

Both men have taken active roles in the DGA, and each said they look forward to working with President-elect Obama as a partner.

The Montana governor is perhaps best known nationally for delivering an electrifying speech to the Democratic National Convention in August, stealing the show on a night when former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner was supposed to be the headliner, but delivered a relatively lackluster keynote address.

Gov. Manchin praised Schweitzer for helping the party win in traditionally conservative regions of the country.

“The DGA has never been in a stronger position, and Brian Schweitzer is a dynamic leader who will take the organization to the next level,” Manchin said. “Brian has made in-roads in traditionally conservative-leaning areas because he’s honest, practical, and knows how to get results.”

The Republican Governor's Association named South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford as their chairman last month at the RGA's annual meeting in Miami.

Filed under: Brian Schweitzer • DGA


Almost the end of THE error!   December 3rd, 2008 6:10 pm ET

The only bad news about this, is that Barack Obama will not be making him the Secretary of Energy…and he knows his stuff when it comes to Energy issues!

ReggieCW   December 3rd, 2008 5:41 pm ET

This Guy is really cool! I think he's just what he DGA needs.
I remember his speech at the DNC convention! I was so fired up listening to him speak that I almost wanted to pull up stakes and move accross country from the east coast to Montana just so he could be my governor!

Mr. Schweitzer ROCKS!

DEMOCRATS FOREVER!

Blake in Missoula   December 3rd, 2008 5:34 pm ET

Gov Schweitzer is a great here in montana! He is just a causal, common sense man who wants to help his state and country. We are proud of him and hope to see him as a strong player in the party in the future.
Schweitzer 2016

Almost the end of THE error!   December 3rd, 2008 5:32 pm ET

YES!!!! Fantastic choice! I love this guy! He tells it like it is and if your a Democrat or Republican, and you don't like it…so what! America likes it, and that is all that matters. A true leader when it comes to common sense politics!

just me   December 3rd, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Hey! I am an African American female! Heard the governor speak at the DNC and fell in luv with him! Called my girlfriends during the time he was giving his address Wow! we were blown away! I did not know this is what Montana has to offer! He could definitely get my vote!!!! And my sista friends…
Just me… Keeping it real

Sam   December 3rd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

This a great choice!!!. This is the gov. I call "Mr No-Nonsense". He's shrewd and excellent politician. Keep it up, Sir ! and Kudos.

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   December 3rd, 2008 4:59 pm ET

One hillbilly replacing another hillbilly…

Arden   December 3rd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Excellant choice and good news for a change. I really like this guy since I first saw him during the primary election.

Montana Woman   December 3rd, 2008 4:42 pm ET

I just wish he would get a high position in the Obama administration so we in Montana would be rid of him. He is a self-aggrandizing jerk.

Anonymous   December 3rd, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Now you are using your brains. Excellant choice. I liked this man the first time I heard him during the primary. Good News for a change.

Count VA 2008 ... were making it Officially BLUE   December 3rd, 2008 4:40 pm ET

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is great!

Yellowstone   December 3rd, 2008 4:32 pm ET

I live in Montana and Gov Schweitzer is one of the best Gov's that we have had in years!!! If you look at the demographics Mt is a Blue state and getting more blue every year. I love this place!

Ps.. Please don't move here though — ok??? The winters would scare most of you anyway!

deb in Colo   December 3rd, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Loved him at the DNC! Great speech.

Peter (CA)   December 3rd, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Had not heard anything about him before the Democratic convention but he is pretty impressive.
Montana seems to love him, too.

KG   December 3rd, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Good choice. This guy has a good combination of Democrat and Republican ideals. He brings the best of both parties. A Demublican!

Magnus   December 3rd, 2008 4:09 pm ET

Brian Schweitzer = the Jack Bauer of Democratic Governors

Gia in Los Angeles, CA   December 3rd, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I'm thrilled for him. I love this man! I was, however, hoping that he would be nominated for energy secretary. Maybe later. I think he definitely should have a higher profile, though.

Steph   December 3rd, 2008 3:50 pm ET

.
Schweitzer: A northern governor who is authentic, likeable, down to earth, well versed on the issues, pragmatic, intelligent , well spoken,
and , (unlike another northern governor we heard a lot about this summer),
the real "energy expert" who understands the issues surrounding
energy, economy and environment.

Kona   December 3rd, 2008 3:43 pm ET

This is a good call, I like Gov. Schweitzer. Plus, he and our President-Elect get along well so all the better.

sglman4Obama   December 3rd, 2008 3:20 pm ET

His charisma is just what the party needs to motivate itself and stay on the pulse of change under president Obama. I say YEEHAW for the new president of the DGA!

robert g parker   December 3rd, 2008 3:00 pm ET

We like him here in Montana. He will do good as the chairman. He's an american first and party second!

Florence in Oregon   December 3rd, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Outstanding choice! This is a real rising star in the Dem party. He can clean Palin's clock and he knows real stuff about the environment and how to slow global warming.

Rob K   December 3rd, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Sounds like a good move to me. The Democrats see an opening for a new coalition in the western states, and Gov. Schweitzer will have some great insight on how to build that coalition.

Independent Fred   December 3rd, 2008 2:57 pm ET

I liked this guy's fire at the DNC a couple of months ago.

Honestly I see both he and Bobbi Jindal as up and comming stars for their respective parties. We need more moderates on both sides really. I'm glad America is finally getting tired of idealogues.

Ted   December 3rd, 2008 2:37 pm ET

I'm a big Schweitzer fan.
Heck, in 2016, I'd vote for him.

indevoterphilly   December 3rd, 2008 2:35 pm ET

THIS IS A GREAT CHOICE !!!

Mel in Montana   December 3rd, 2008 2:29 pm ET

We are very proud of our common-sense governor here in Montana. Way to go, Brian!

Franky   December 3rd, 2008 2:21 pm ET

And for the record, I also think Gov Mark Sanford is also a good pick for the RGA. Pretty good picks…

Corey, Maryland   December 3rd, 2008 2:21 pm ET

Congrats Mr. Schweitzer on getting the Chairmanship, you will do a great job!!

Martin O'Malley, nice job on getting Vice-Chair!!!!!

Tulsa   December 3rd, 2008 2:20 pm ET

I LIKE this guy!

Franky   December 3rd, 2008 2:19 pm ET

“The DGA has never been in a stronger position, and Brian Schweitzer is a dynamic leader who will take the organization to the next level,” Manchin said. “Brian has made in-roads in traditionally conservative-leaning areas because he’s honest, practical, and knows how to get results.”

To be honest, he is a good Governor. I'm very impressed by Gov Schweitzer and selecting him as chair of the DGA, I think is a smart move. Plus, I would argue that without him, my boy wouldv'e lost Montana by at least 10 points or close to that but the fact he was veru enthusiastic and had my boy's back and literally thought my boy could win Montana, gave faith to my boy. Don't worry Gov!! Montana will be in our hands in 2012 and we'll still continue to get upsets in the GOP's home turf…ohh yes we can! LOL!!

Laverne   December 3rd, 2008 2:17 pm ET

Oh goody, he is soo fun and cuddly!

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