Despite having already raised more than $775,000 for his re-election campaign, Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer is now turning to Republicans for money.

In a highly unusual move, Schweitzer is soliciting money for his 2008 re-election campaign from individuals who donated to various Republicans running for governor in 2004.

The solicitation tells exactly how much the recipient gave to a Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2004 and asks for an identical amount to be given to Schweitzer and Republican Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger's re-election campaign.

"We've been reaching out to people," Schweitzer said in a phone interview. "We only received 51 percent (actually 50.4 percent) of the vote last time. We'd like the support of most Montanans. This is a completely appropriate letter."

Republicans are not amused.

"Everybody's pretty outraged about it," said Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown, a state senator from Billings. "Everywhere I go, people are handing it to me. It does make me a little upset. After I got to thinking about it, I think the majority of people who received that letter might send me a check."

Brown said people are upset that Schweitzer's campaign dug around into the 2004 campaign records to find out how much money they donated to someone and asked for the same amount.

"Even my wife got one, for gosh sakes, asking for $389," Roy Brown said. His wife, Kim, gave that amount to the 2004 campaign of Bob Brown (no relation), the 2004 GOP nominee for governor.

Bob Brown, meanwhile, was surprised his donors were being asked to contribute to the man who defeated him.

"As far as I know, what he did is not illegal, but it is audacious, and if audacity was music, he would be a brass band," Bob Brown said.

State Republican Chairman Erik Iverson of Missoula said, "I don't blame him for trying, but that dog won't hunt, and Brian Schweitzer knows that."

Iverson said Schweitzer is doing it to "get some political cover in terms of Republican support, because Montanans in general and Republicans in particular aren't going to be fooled by his record as governor." Iverson called Schweitzer "a tax and spend Democrat."

Schweitzer said he doesn't know how much money the letter had helped raise, because it was just mailed last week. When the idea of soliciting Republicans was proposed, Schweitzer said, "I absolutely agreed that we should contact as many people in the state as possible."

Here's how the text of one Schweitzer fund-raising letter begins:

"During Montana's 2004 campaign for governor, you supported Bob Brown with a contribution of (specific amount). While I would have welcomed your support in that race, I respect your decision and appreciate your active involvement in the political process, which ultimately is the most important thing of all."

The letter adds that "you and I may not see eye to eye on every issue, but we can both agree that it's important for all of us that Montana continues the economic progress we've been experiencing over the past few years. And by most any measurement or any political standard, things have never been better in Montana."

It touts some of Schweitzer's accomplishments such as tax relief, job creation, the strong economy and energy development. The letter said Schweitzer and Bohlinger are the only bipartisan ticket in America, and says the pair remain "committed to a bipartisan approach for state government"

It concludes by saying: "Please help keep Montana on the Move by writing a check to our campaign for (the specific amount the person gave a Republican candidate in 2004)."

Through Sept. 30, Schweitzer's campaign had raised about $777,500 and had about $625,000 left in the bank. In 2004, Schweitzer's entire campaign raised a total of $1.4 million.