8/11/2007
Test Voter Registration Widget
by Matt Singer on 2:11 pm.
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11/19/2006
New Site
by Matt Singer on 1:34 pm.
This is now the Left in the West archives. The new site is at LeftInTheWest.com.
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11/5/2006
Monday Tester Rallies
by Matt Singer on 10:45 pm.
Hamilton
9:00 a.m.
Rally
Bedford Building
223 South 2nd Street
Missoula
12:00 Noon
Rally
Lobby
Missoula Children’s Theater Center for the Performing Arts
200 North Adams Street
Billings
5:00 p.m.
Rally
Shrine Auditorium
1125 Broadwater Ave
Great Falls
10:00 p.m.
Supporter Thank-You
Labor Temple
1112 7th Street South
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We Now Return to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming
by Matt Singer on 10:41 pm.
To be perfectly frank, I’m not sure how the domain is back. If I figure it out, I’ll let you know. This site may disappear again, too. Who knows?
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11/4/2006
Walking the floor…
by Shane Mason on 11:23 pm.
I am doing the modern day version of ‘Flowers on the Wall”.
Countin’ flowers on the wall
That don’t bother me at all
Playin’ solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo
Now don’t tell me I’ve nothin’ to do
I cleaned my garage today. Made two trips to the dump, where I saw the abortion plane flying around. Sat down at my computer 1353 times. Had no idea what to do so I did stuff like google for ‘watermelon’ or ‘how are aluminum cans made’. I go to google news and look at the headlines but can’t focus enough to read an entire article. I was entertained by the Insane Fisherman’s take on the Victory Rally. Watch TV for a few minutes, but my wife changes the channel every time a Burns commercial comes on. I have tried to write 234 posts here. I want to write something that will make this all be over and done with a happy ending. I can’t. My computer is simply not that powerfull.
We are though. Tomorrow I am going down to the dem headquarters to help canvas the neighborhoods, get out the damn vote. Tell people to get off their behinds and get down to the polls. Scott is doing it. Jay is doing it. Troutburst is doing it. Everyone is doing it. You do it too.
[update] Even if you don’t have a ‘local’ demo office, go out and talk to your neighbors, your family, folks at church. Be brave. I have a bumper sticker on my car that I think of often in this sort of situation:
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Dead Heat: I’m Off to Walk Doors
by Matt Singer on 9:21 am.
Mason-Dixon has the race as a dead heat: 47-47. The poll was in the field from October 31-November 2. The Rasmussen poll that had Tester up 4 was taken November 1. The Zogby poll showing it a 1 point race occured between October 24 and October 31.
The reality? We’re tied — at most, 1 or 2 points ahead — at worst, we’re down 1 or 2. It’s turnout now.
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IMPORTANT: Here’s what’s at stake
by Shane Mason on 12:35 am.
We are all sharing an important moment here. Montana has the power to make a change, a real change. This opportunity doesn’t come to Montana that often, so we should seize the day. We have a real opportunity here and we must not squander it.
Conrad Burns has claimed a number of times that he has faith in President Bush’s war strategy. He praised this ’secret’ strategy to stay the course in the Billings debate, and every other debate before and after. Though a dozen retired generals have called for Rumsfeld’s resignation, George Bush and Conrad Burns say that we should stay the course. The Army Times, The Marine Corps Times, The Air Force Times and the The Navy Times announced that they would call for Rumsfeld’s resignation on Monday. President Bush made a statement on the campaign trail last week that Donald Rumsfeld was his guy and would have his position for the remainder of the Bush administration. President Bush will stay the course in Iraq and Conrad Burns will provide his lockstep support of the failed policy in Iraq if is re-elected.
So, what’s at stake here? What are the real consequences? Are there any? I will put it below the fold out of respect for the gentle souls among us, but you should look because it is very real.
(more…)
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11/3/2006
Another Push Poll
by Matt Singer on 6:09 pm.
Don’t people in Ohio have anything better to do?
Apparently this is over the fact that Tester hasn’t had a hunting license in a long time. That’d be because sport shooting is frowned upon in Montana.
Or something.
Shorter GOP message:
Butchering cattle: Bad.
Sport shooting: Bad.
Making a living as a farmer: Bad.
Selling out to D.C. lobbyists: Good.
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The Worst Part of the FEF Ad
by Matt Singer on 6:06 pm.
The Free Enterprise Fund has been running an ad called “Brokebank Democrats” that manages to tie together gay-baiting with rightwing economic lies. It’s really quite brilliant in its ridiculousness.
That said, it goes way over the top. They actually ask people to call Jon Tester’s home phone number. That seems a bit out of control to me.
The whole thing is funded by the guy who funded the Swift Boat Liars for Slander — not too surprising. If anyone tracks down his home phone number, I’m of half a mind to let y’all call him up and tell him what you think of his manners.
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I’ll See Your Dog…
by Matt Singer on 4:38 pm.
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Calling Missoula Area Volunteers
by Matt Singer on 3:30 pm.
If you’re interested in knocking doors tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM with myself and a few other people, we could still use a little more help.
Shoot me an email at singer@leftinthewest.com with your contact info and we’ll get you plugged in.
Danke.
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Reality
by Matt Singer on 11:47 am.
This is a close race. It was always going to be and it is. The last time a Democrat defeated an incumbent Republican for federal office was 1974 when Max Baucus captured the Western Montana U.S. House seat.
That was 32 years ago.
No one said it would be easy. Some people thought defeating Burns would be a walk in the park. They were wrong. But we’re not out. Hell, we’re not even down. But we need to fight like we are. Get your friends to the polls. If they’re unregistered, drag ‘em to your county courthouse and register ‘em and vote ‘em there.
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The GOP Continues an Old Tradition: Disenfranchising Low-Income Folks
by Matt Singer on 11:05 am.
It got raised in comments and I think I’ve got confirmation: Republican lawyers are allegedly trying to identify low-income precincts to attempt voter intimidation tactics.
Frankly, I’m all for defining voter intimidation as treason, finding a couple witnesses, and stringing these folks up — in a republic, trying to deny eligible folks the right to participate in self-government is an attack on the very nation.
But since that isn’t likely to happen, make sure people you’re talking to know the real rules. Voter ID is necessary, but it can be your polling place card (mailed by your county clerk’s office), it can be a driver’s license, student ID, military ID, or any other picture ID (CostCo cards work, I believe). It can be a utility bill that has your current address.
Voter intimidation is all too real in this country and with the GOP pulling out all the stops to win, it’ll probably be a reality in Montana this year. If you catch wind, please drop a line on this blog and also notify the Democratic party to the effort: 1-888-DEMVOTE is the number to contact about voter intimidation efforts.
Update — It looks like the Maryland GOP has a guide for their poll watchers that multiple experts are calling a guide to vote suppression.
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MT-Sen: Closing Time
by Matt Singer on 10:42 am.
Rasmussen has moved the Montana Senate race back to “Lean Dem” from “Toss Up.” They’ve got Tester up 50-46. Pulling out leaners, Tester is up 48-43.
60% of Tester voters say they’re voting for Tester. 32% say they’re voting against Burns. 66% of Burns’ backers say they’re voting for Burns. 32% say they’re voting against Tester.
Meanwhile, Governing notes that polling places in Montana are being consolidated — one more reason to vote early.
Oh, and I forgot to mention it, but this exchange last night was hilarious:
Taken by the spirit of the rally, retired UM professor Lucien Hut shouted out: “I’ll work so hard, I’ll have Conrad Burns vote for Jon Tester.â€To which Schweitzer quipped: “Just pay Conrad Burns, and he’ll vote any way.â€
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Zacharek Gushes for Borat
by V on 10:38 am.
I used to go to Salon.com for the meanest reviews of movies. They are now somewhat easier on films, but the reviews are still always good.
I plan to se Borat tonight, but I thought I would take a peek at what Salon had to say. The review does gush, and there is a great discussion of satire in modern times. More after I watch.
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Tester’s Independent Streak
by Matt Singer on 9:03 am.
One of the funny things about getting into an election is that some of the original reasons for doing it can get muddled along the way. Back in April or May of 2005, when chatter about Tester running for the Senate was heating up, I remember going over his voting scores from various interest groups and one of the things I liked was that he didn’t have a lifetime 100% from any of ‘em — including a couple that I’m a member of. He’d also broken with the Dems a couple times in high-profile ways. That’s something that an elected official needs to be willing to do. It needs to be for the right reasons (not lobbyist cash), of course, and it should be handled properly (in a way that is still respectful of those groups who represent real people and businesses and that respects the party and its members).
But the bigger reason why it was important was that sending someone to Washington, D.C., you need to have a Senator who is willing to even tell friends “No” occasionally.
The Gazette picks up that storyline today and dives into a number of Tester’s “independent” votes — a number of which I don’t agree with. I also am pretty sure I disagree with him on immigration and same-sex marriage. We’re a bit closer on taxes, although I’m still a bit to his left (even as I’m to the right — yes, I really am — of a number of Democrats). The Gazette story makes clear that Tester’s record when it comes to taxes is thoughtful — he supported some tax increases and some tax decreases, neither reflexively supporting revenue increases nor buying into the mindless mantra of “any money going to the government is a waste.”
Years ago, my father and I were backpacking together. Those always presented good opportunities for long conversations. In one of those conversations, my father explained what he looks for in candidates — people who think before they act, who have strong principles, and can provide sound justifications for their behavior. This memory may be muddled (as my dad would tell you, human memory is pretty fallible), but I think it is the gist of what he told me one night in the Beartooth Wilderness. My dad’s a moderate Republican, but he has supported Tester from close to the beginning. I think this independent streak goes a long way toward explaining it.
I chuckle occasionally as I read in national media about how Tester was the party’s “chosen one” in the primary, knowing that nothing could be further from the truth. They didn’t think he was a good enough fundraiser (aka “lapdog”). They didn’t think he was slick enough. To their good name, they got behind him quickly after the groundswell of support from real Montanans gave him an overwhelming primary victory. To their discredit, they now try to pretend that it was their maneuvering that resulted in Tester’s win, rather than the hard-work and dedication of a number of Montanans who wrote $20 checks and made 1,000s of phone calls to their fellow residents of this state.
The Montanans who did that — trust me, I know almost all of ‘em — aren’t going to ask Tester to be something that he isn’t. In fact, I think most of us will ask him to keep that independent streak, to occasionally disagree with us, and to even occasionally piss us off provided he doesn’t ever sell out to D.C.
There are five days left. We’ve got a chance to get a good man with an independent streak and the stones to back it up. He can stand up to interest groups — he’s done it before. He can stand up to party leadership — he’s done it before. He can even stand up to big money — he’s done it before. Perhaps more importantly, he can do it with some respect.
Back to work.
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The Most Corrupt Man in Montana
by Shane Mason on 6:35 am.
Scandals, bribery and greed follow Burns like dust followed Pigpen on Peanuts. It’s all over him like a cheap suit (or white on rice). This isn’t really new, but it is rearing its head again. I have never seen his Washington office, but I am pretty sure that Burns has a sign outside his office that says:
FEDERAL JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
$5000
I wonder if he issues coupons or has bluelight specials? It constantly amazes me how cheap that dude will sell us all out for. A new report called Money Trails to the Federal Bench details how American justice is up for sale to the highest bidder. It details how Burns took the maximum donation from a judge candidate just one day before recommending him for a federal appointment.
Burns is crooked and it stinks to high heaven. Read the full report here [PDF Document].
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Room Was Too Small for the Rally
by Matt Singer on 12:29 am.
I went to the Tester/Schweitzer/Baucus rally tonight — the room was too damn small. It only fit 300 people. Honestly, in Missoula, you can expect double that for the next Senator from Montana. I heard that the Kalispell event was huge. Pablo apparently also had a standing-room only crowd. Good things I’m hearing.
I also just got home from volunteering at the local Demo HQ. The place was still buzzing when I left. Shane was apparently volunteering in Helena.
Long story short: I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.
This is all such a chance from the primary. Down in Billings with a week to go, the feeling was to give it all we had because even coming close would be amazing when you’re outspent 2-to-1. The phone calls were motivating. Being an underdog is something you can get used to.
But having a narrow lead (which we do) is terrifying. It feels like it could be so easy to watch it slip away. I’m still sleeping fine. I haven’t had the random moments of feeling like I’m going to vomit.
I assume those problems will emerge this weekend.
If you haven’t, head down to your courthouse and vote tomorrow. You can do it even if you’re not registered.
GRD.
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11/2/2006
I just called to say…
by Shane Mason on 11:35 pm.
Remember that John Tester will be holding a “Rally for Change” along with Governor Scweitzer and Max Baucus at the Capitol Rotunda Friday at 10:00 am. Also, he will be in Bozeman with Baucus Saturday evening at 6:00 pm at the Wilson school gymnasium. While I was telling people that on the phones tonight, I had the good fortune to find Wulfgar on my call list. It is always good to chat with him.
Find the event near you here. Great Falls, Havre, Laurel, Red Lodge, Livingston, Townsend, Boulder, Hamilton, Missoula and Billings are still ahead.
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Rasmussen Continues to Say 4 Point Race
by Matt Singer on 1:35 pm.
Rasmussen has a new poll (for members only) that is apparently Tester up by 4 — 50-46. Rasmussen has a better track record than Zogby. This is essentially unchanged from the last Rasmussen poll, which was Tester 51-47.
This is all about turnout.
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