Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer Knocks Obama On Health Care, Energy

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer Knocks Obama On Health Care, Energy

ABC's Teddy Davis has a new interview with Montana's unorthodox Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, who says he'll support whoever wins his state's upcoming primary.

But he offers some rough words for Barack Obama:

Despite a political profile that could help underscore the Democrats' determination to win in traditionally Republican areas, it is easier to imagine the blunt-speaking Schweitzer making his own presidential run in 2012 than it is to see him playing second fiddle this year.

While Schweitzer has not proposed his own universal health care plan in Montana, he believes Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is right to have endorsed a mandate on the national level.

By not requiring individuals to purchase insurance, Schweitzer believes Obama's plan to forbid insurance companies to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions will lead to healthy people opting out and sick people opting in.

"You've got to get everyone in the system," said Schweitzer.

He is dismayed that Obama cast a vote for President Bush's 2005 energy bill while regularly criticizing the president on the issue.

"Sounds like Senate-speak," said Schweitzer.

Read the full interview here.

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