Jon Tester for U.S. Senate

Pundits and prognosticators sounded off on the Montana U.S. Senate race in the Billings Gazette this morning. The reviews came back very positive for the Tester campaign.

Larry Sabato:

“Burns simply has too many problems - from President Bush and the Iraq war to the lobbying scandal and his own uncontrollable tongue,” Sabato wrote on his Web site. “Burns will be exceptionally lucky to come out of his tailspin and win another term. Tester’s image seems just right for Montana voters, and Burns’ efforts to label Tester a left-wing liberal have not taken hold, at least not so far.”

Stuart Rothenberg:

“We have become convinced that the national environment is not going to improve for Republicans, that the strong desire for change we’ve been seeing is not going to abate and that Tester is running a pretty good campaign,” Rothenberg said.

I read all of these reports with a grain of salt. It’s tough to predict the weather in November from the situation at the end of August. That said, I like Jennifer Duffy’s long-range, 70-day forecast:

As for Schumer’s contention that Democrats nationally have the advantage in the current climate, Duffy said, “I’d rather be them than Republicans, that’s for sure. I think the wind is at their back.”

This is Jon Tester.

My brother spent 34 years protecting America in the Montana Air National Guard, so when Senator Burns questions my commitment to America’s security, you can bet I’ll set the record straight.

We should hit the terrorists as hard as possible, wherever they are. And I support making our military and homeland security second to none.

But the politicians in Washington aren’t doing enough to protect us.

They have failed to secure our ports and borders as recommended by the 9-11 commission. They don’t even have control of our northern border. And they’re fighting a war in Iraq with no plan, and no end in sight. And they’re not giving our troops the tools they need to be safe and successful.

Montanans deserve a Senator who will require the president to present a clear plan to put Iraqis in charge and bring our troops home.

As your Senator, I will never waver in keeping America safe and strong.

I’m Jon Tester, candidate for U.S. Senate, and I approve this message.

Paid for by Montanans for Tester.

The Tester campaign today released a new 60 second radio spot entitled “Commitment”.

Click here to listen to the ad.

Click here for a transcript.

The parade of Republican D.C. politicians continues this week with Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee and First Lady Laura Bush visiting the state.

Republican stars are really racking up the frequent flyer miles heading out to Montana to try to salvage Senator Burns’ image with the Republican base. Gwen Florio compares it to the red carpet on Oscar night, a distinction the Republicans try to redirect in their response.

“Democrats, instead of sending stars, are sending money,” said Burns campaign spokesman Jason Klindt, referring to infusions of cash into Montana’s race by national Democratic organizations.

Trouble is that Burns has taken far more national money than Tester, a pesky fact that shuts down GOP attempts to spin the story.

When it comes to their own campaigns, Burns also is getting money from elsewhere: 78 percent of his contributions come from out of state, compared to 47 percent of Tester’s, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign spending.

That’s a pretty steep differential with nearly 4 out of 5 of Burns’ campaign dollars coming from out of state. Couple that with the parade of Republican politicians and you’ve got a recipe for Burns alienating independent minded Montanans.

Over the weekend, the Billings Gazette ran a pair of op-eds from the U.S. Senate candidates on energy. Two op-eds with two different visions for our energy future in the United States.

Jon Tester asks the most important question in the middle of his piece, calling the energy problem “a crisis of leadership”.

Why is it that Congress and the administration are more intent on putting the profits of big energy companies ahead of the needs of ordinary Montanans?

Tester’s vision for energy independence seeks to end the GOP profit before people plan in favor of solutions we’ve put in place here in Montana. Production tax credits for wind, investment in biofuel and ethanol, a renewable energy standard, new conservation measures, and sensible resource development are concrete proposals to help consumers and restart our economy.

Burns’ thoughts on energy are stuck in the past, with no new ideas. Burns only mentions renewable energy in passing, choosing instead to focus on steps to better line the pockets of his friends and donors in Big Oil.

In my mind, the most important line in Burns’ op-ed is the last:

Republican Conrad Burns of Billings is seeking his fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

After 18 years of Senator Burns we have record prices at the pump and oil company profits. It’s time for a change.