HELENA — Republicans were mixed Wednesday in their reactions to House Majority Leader Michael Lange’s outburst against the governor, but said they will stand by their House leaders during budget and tax negotiations as the legislative session draws to a close.

Some lawmakers said Lange’s profane tirade against Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s budget and tax proposal “galvanized” Republican caucus members, strengthening their insistence on long-term reductions in property taxes even if that requires staying at the Capitol past Friday, the scheduled end of the session.

“If we have to stay longer to do the job we were sent here to do, we will do it,” said Rep. Krayton Kerns, R-Laurel. “That is exactly why I’m here.”

Rep. Jesse O’Hara, R-Great Falls, compared Lange’s performance to a football coach firing up his team for a big game.

But not all Republicans were as enthusiastic. Rep. Bill Jones, R-Bigfork, said he was not pleased “at all” with Lange’s speech, but would continue to support party leadership.

“This isn’t the way I grew up, in Montana, of doing business or speaking to people,” Jones said. “I’d like more civil discourse.”

Lange later apologized to representatives, for his profanity, but not to the governor.

Senate Republicans agreed House leaders needed to press for more long-term property tax negotiations. But some also took issue with Lange’s words.

“To say (what Lange said) publicly makes Republicans look unprofessional as a whole,” said Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson.