Schweitzer to raise the barn in Charlotte?

Montana governor at the Democratic National Convention

By Joseph T. O’Connor Explorebigsky.com Contributor

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – At the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer brought the crowd in Denver to its feet in a rousing speech that called for the country to stand by then-presidential-nominee Barack Obama.

It appears Schweitzer is at it again.

The first democratic governor in Montana in more than 20 years, Schweitzer is slated to speak at the DNC in Charlotte at some point during this year’s convention, Sept. 4 – 7. As of press time, it just wasn’t clear when he would go on stage.

“I can confirm [Gov. Schweitzer] is speaking, but the campaign decides the morning of [the speech] when that will be,” said Sarah Elliott, Communications Director for the governor.

If history bodes foretelling, however, Schweitzer’s address at the Charlotte convention will be another powerful one. Much of the governor’s 2008 speech focused on U.S. energy independence, citing coal, wind and solar as alternative forms. And the crowd then, cheering wildly, echoed Schweitzer’s enthusiasm.

In an interview with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd that aired on Sept. 3, the governor alluded to the tone of his upcoming speech.

“You’ve got to have a little fun in these things,” he said. “If it’s… same story, same story, same story, there’s no excitement.”

While Schweitzer has been speaking to delegates in Iowa, South Carolina and Arizona, a move that often indicates a future run for the national political stage, the governor has been quick to dodge rumors about the possibility he could run for president in 2016.

He is focused on the present. The crowd will be ready, and the Schweitzer camp is anticipating a knockout punch.

“After the barn-raising [speech] in ’08, we’re excited for another round of Brian Schweitzer,” Elliot said.

See demconvention.com/speakers for speaker times and announcements, and follow explorebigsky.com for post-address commentary and analysis.