Brian Schweitzer, the Democratic governor of Montana, suggested that 2nd Amendment voters may choose to support Bob Barr over either John McCain or Barack Obama.

Obviously, Schweitzer is making a political calculation that assumes gun owners absolutely won’t support Obama, but may support McCain. So why not suggest they support Barr instead, as it would be a net positive for Obama if Barr were to pick up a few extra points.

From the Missoulian…

The Democratic governor, also on the ballot this year, said he thinks those who vote on the gun issue alone will be equally troubled by McCain and Obama. He said neither is perfect with the National Rifle Association scorecard – McCain has received a “C” and Obama an “F.”

The governor said such voters may turn to Libertarian Bob Barr, “if you are absolutely not going to vote for McCain or Obama on guns.”

The Obama campaign stressed that Schweitzer did not really mean gun voters should not vote for Obama.

“I think Gov. Schweitzer’s point was that for people that are concerned primarily with the gun issue, not only does Barack Obama present no danger to them owning their guns, but Mccain’s record on gun issues, as far as the NRA is concerned, isn’t perfect either,” said Obama spokesman Caleb Weaver.