As I predicted before, John Walsh could never get elected without the environmentalist vote in Montana — 30,000 strong — and we would never have voted for him, even before the plagiarism revelation. So which Democrat can garner our votes? They should be the replacement.

Brian Schweitzer discussed his interests with me in running for an office again and he has no interest in being a legislator. He is more inclined, and better suited, to be an executive, so running for President of the Untied States (POTUS) is where his interest lies. He is not a favorite of environmentalists with his awful record on grizzly bears and wolves and the Endangered Species Act and the Keystone XL pipeline and Montana coal mining.

John Bohlinger is a very nice guy, and is very capable, but lacks the charisma to make a last minute run for the Unites States Senate seat. He too holds the same views on environmental issues as Schweitzer and Walsh, so no support from us.

Dirk Adams ran on an environmental platform but was not supported by US Senator Jon Tester and Governor Steve Bullock, whose environmental views mimic those mentioned above, so he had no chance against their support of John Walsh. However, given enough time to be properly introduced to the Montana public, I believe Dirk has the charisma and can win over enough support to make a serious contest out of it with Republican anti-environmentalist Steve Daines.

My personal recommendation is to select Dirk Adams. I only hope this August 8, 2014 submission of mine makes it into print before the August 20, 2014 deadline for selection of a candidate by the Democratic Party honchos.

— Bill Baum live in Badrock Canyon