Talk about putting pressure on Chairman Baucus, Obama is going to have a health care town hall in Max Baucus' state of Montana.
Obama in Montana
Baucus must be feeling the heat now. There is absolutely no other reason for Obama to visit Montana right now, other than to hold Baucus' feet to the proverbial healthcare fire. If we start to see more of these meetings in either New Mexico (rumored next week as well), North Dakota, Maine, Wyoming or Iowa, then we know EXACTLY what Obama's up to here.
Still, this is good news for reformers, on top of the fact that Obama's thinking of pushing a bill without republicans, may make this even better.
The Gazette State Bureau learned that Obama is planning to fly into Bozeman on Aug. 14 and hold a town hall meeting, perhaps at an airport hangar at Gallatin Field Airport.
The president, accompanied by his wife, Michelle, also is expected to stay overnight in the area.
National news outlets reported last weekend that Obama is planning a tour of Western states this month, to push for health-care reform and emphasize other issues of importance.
Obama visited Montana five times during his 2008 presidential campaign, including stops in Billings, Butte, Bozeman, Missoula and Great Falls.
UPDATE: H/T to Scoonie, that Pres. Obama's Town Hall in NH is REALLY close to the Maine Border (Hint: Snowe, Collins).