Daines & Dennis: Done Playing Musical Chairs?

Businessman Announces Switch, Eats Crow

Helena, Mont.--Business executive Steve Daines today announced he's found a new seat in his game of musical chairs with Congressman Dennis Rehbeg.
Three months after announcing his run for U.S. Senate, Daines has spent plenty of time telling Montana newspapers he is indeed "running for the U.S. Senate."
Today, after switching to run for the U.S. House of Representatives at Rehberg's request, Daines is eating crow.

"This charade is a lesson in how not to run a congressional campaign, and it has to be tough for Steve Daines," said Ted Dick, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. "Steve Daines wants a new job so badly he apparently doesn't care which job it is, and Montanans ought to remember that as he tries to tell them why he deserves the job."

Here is what Daines told the newspaper POLITICO in November:

"I don't think [Rehberg] is sure what he's going to do. He's spent 10 years in the House, he'll be a senior member in the House. That'll be a better place to serve from where he's been in the past. He's got a pretty good role in the House in the majority." [Politico, 11/9/10]

Just days after his November 13 campaign announcement, Gun Owners of America endorsed Daines for Senate. The organization's president said he wasn't interested in waiting for Rehberg's plans, saying "Early bird gets the worm." [Politico, 11/23/10]

The Concerned Women PAC also endorsed Daines for Senate, saying Rehberg was not a factor in their decision.

"In this case, we really like Steve Daines and think he will appeal to all conservatives, including the tea party, the establishment and folks like us," said Concerned Women PAC spokesperson Mike Mears, adding that 400 people attended Daines' Senate campaign kick-off. [Politico, 11/23/10]