Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, left, is shown meeting with relatives of convicted murderer Ronald A. Smith, who are seeking executive clemency for the death row inmate, Friday in Helena. Schweitzer has indicated he is undecided on the question of clemency for Smith.
HELENA - Sen. Conrad Burns' recent verbal attack on a firefighting team for its work on a Montana fire angered some firefighters, drew harsh criticism in state newspapers and has left the three-term Republican scrambling to repair the political damage.
