Baucus cruises to sixth term; Rehberg to fifth

By The Montana Standard News Services - 11/05/2008

HELENA — Five-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus walked away with an easy victory Tuesday night, dominating the vote over his challenger, Repub-lican Bob Kelleher.

The Asso- ciated Press called the race shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, U.S. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., won a fifth consecutive term as Montana's only congressman Tuesday, as he defeated Democrat John Driscoll, who chose to campaign without raising or spending any money.

With 36 percent of the precincts reporting, Rehberg had 62 percent of the vote, while Driscoll had 34 percent. Libertarian Mike Fellows had the remaining 3 percent.

As of press time, Baucus held a lopsided, 3-to-1 lead with 75 percent of 863 precincts reporting.

Baucus had 74 percent of the vote to Kelleher's 26 percent or 235,251 votes to Kelleher's 84,161.

Baucus said from a Billings victory party Tuesday night that he didn't expect to win by such large margins and was "humbled" by the outcome.

"Tonight is to savor it and appreciate it," Baucus told Lee Newspapers. "Tomorrow, we've got to sit down. We've got work to do." In the House race, with 23 percent of the precincts reporting, Rehberg was winning with 61 percent of the vote, while Driscoll had 36 percent. Libertarian Mike Fellows had the remaining 3 percent.

Rehberg opened up an early lead with the initial returns and steadily built his lead as the night went on.

Yet while Rehberg is headed back to Washington, D.C., he said Tuesday night it will be "a little tougher" with big Democratic majorities in Congress next year and a Democratic president.

"I've got my hands full in trying to make them understand Montana's needs," he said. "You play the cards you've been dealt, and I'm looking forward to it." Yet while Rehberg appears headed back to Washington, D.C., he said Tuesday night it will be "a little tougher" with big Democratic majorities in Congress next year and a Democratic president.

"I've got my hands full in trying to make them understand Montana's needs," he said. "You play the cards you've been dealt, and I'm looking forward to it." — Jennifer McKee and Mike Dennison, Standard State Bureau Rehberg's victory was expected, for Driscoll chose to run his campaign without spending or raising any money and campaigning mostly via the Internet. He appeared at campaign events only when they happened to correspond with his family's travel plans.

Driscoll said Tuesday night that he appreciated the response he got from many voters, and that he hoped to show that anyone could run for Congress.

"There are a lot of people like me around that would make credible candidates, but it's intimidating going out, hat-in-hand, and having to raise huge amounts of money," he said. "Maybe this opens the way for others to decide what terms they would decide on, in running for office. I think just being yourself is the best way." The former state legislator and public service commissioner had called for immediate withdrawal from Iraq and a revamped national energy policy, moving away from fossil fuels.

Rehberg also campaigned hard on the energy issues, saying he'll push for "all of the above": Development of oil, gas, coal, wind, geothermal, nuclear and other forms of power.

He said Tuesday night he'll be focusing on energy and water issues that he thinks can benefit Montana.

Rehberg also was one of the few political bright spots for Republicans in Montana Tuesday, as Democrats won the governorship and U.S. Senate race and led in several other state office races.

As the highest-ranking Republican in the state, Rehberg said he looks forward to rebuilding the party.

"This all goes in cycles," he said. "We did the best we could with the resources we had. We certainly didn't have the resources that Democrats had in Montana this year."