Missoulian - Driscoll Gives Himself 50-50 Chance
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Missoulian - Driscoll Gives Himself 50-50 Chance
John Driscoll was not surprised, like most everyone else was, that his anti-campaign prevailed in the Democratic U.S. primary - and he now gives himself a "50-50" chance against incumbent U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg.
But Driscoll, 61, is adamant his campaign won't involve any money or fundraising.
The retired National Guard colonel, who worked in the Pentagon up until a few years ago, instead plans to rely on visits with voters as he travels for summer vacation. From there, he expects word of mouth to carry his message: get the corrupting money out of Congress, wean the nation from oil and end the "stupid" war in Iraq immediately.
"I would say it's a 50-50 chance going into the general election," Driscoll told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday.
The Rehberg campaign could not immediately be reached for comment.
Driscoll, a public service commissioner from the 1980s through the early 1990s and a state lawmaker before that, considers himself a credible and legitimate candidate even if others don't.
The Montana Democratic Party obviously favored Helena attorney Jim Hunt, who had started raising a decent amount of money, in the primary. But voters surprised observers early this month and picked Driscoll.
How does he win a congressional seat without spending any money?
Driscoll said he expects Obama's plan to run a campaign in Montana will drive up voter turnout among Democrats, which will help his campaign. And Driscoll said he thinks many Republicans are upset with the direction of the country who will be looking for different options and turn to him.
Driscoll says it is unfair to portray him as someone who is not campaigning, he is just doing it differently.
For instance, he is leaving this weekend for a backpacking trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness or the Cabinet Wilderness. Along the way, he says, he will stop in coffee shops and talk to people.
"I am definitely campaigning and I am definitely serious," Driscoll said.
At the same time, Driscoll will make sure to choose his words carefully so that an ill-chosen comment doesn't marginalize his candidacy.
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