Montana state Senate President
Jon Tester has been an official candidate for United States Senate for less than a week, but already the excitement has become a buzz. For one thing, the netroots understand that Burns is one of, if not the, most vulnerable incumbents in 2006. Next, people are excited about a populist candidate running with a message that can ignite the western strategy Democrats need to spread like wildfire. Finally, this is a race where people can get excited about our candidate instead of just getting excited about beating the other guy.
Here's a brief recap on what the netroots are saying about "the next senator from the great state of Montana".
Left in the West:
"I simply think Jon would make a great US Senator, just as he's made a great Montana Senator and Senate President."
The Last Best Place: "Since I wasn't all that excited about John Morrison's campaign to unseat incumbent $enator, Conrad Burns, I welcomed the story in today's Billings Gazette which indicates Jon Tester, a fellow wheat farmer, will be making an anncouncement this coming week. [...] Now, this is a campaign that I can not only get excited about, but also donate heavily to. Way to go Jon!"
More The Last Best Place: "Tester can walk the walk and talk the talk in Eastern Montana, where this race is going to be won or lost, because unlike Morrison, he actually works for a living, anyone who farms in Big Sandy already knows that.
This dumb wheat farmer thinks Tester is the real deal! As soon as Tester's campaign gets up and running you can bet I'm going to do something I haven't done for a single one of Max's campaigns...contribute the maximum amount allowable by law, and erect big wooden signs on all of my acreage that borders any highway throughout this state!"
Our Senate: "Burns' popularity is decreasing, and he is looking more vulnerable. Considering the Democratic victories across the state in 2004, this could be a very competitive race, and Tester appears to be our strongest candidate."
Still Fighting: "In contrast to Burns, Tester is considered more than just a good candidate. He's a leader. Looking at the bills he's introduced into Montana' State legislature (Tester is a two-term State Senator), it's easy to see why Monatans are excited about Tester."
Get Your Blog Up: "The best way to stop the Republican power grab in the Senate is to return Democrats to the majority. And slipping a little bit Jon Tester's way is the first step."
Courtney Lowery: "[...] if the Dems want a fighting chance against Conrad Burns, Tester is the one they want. If you just look at the guy, you'll know why I say that. He's a tall, old farmer who thinks progressively, but acts traditionally. He's got a farmer's flatop and a farmer's belly, but he's refined enough and savvy enough to play ball with the big boys in D.C. without looking like a hick. He looks you in the eye when he tells you he knows how to represent all of Montana in the U.S. Senate and you believe him -- and he rarely spits out a canned quote. (Which I can spot from a mile away) "
Of course, the good people over at Daily Kos are always on the lookout for an electoral opportunity - especially with a candidate people can get excited around.
jbeach: "This guy seems like a credit to the Democratic party, and a real winner."
Joe B: "This is the future of the Democratic party [...] Can you say p-o-p-u-l-i-s-m?"
colleen: "I am so enchanted with populist candidates [...] Makes me want to move to Montana"
archerhouse: "awesome!!! I'll put up a link to the campaign from my site."
Mr Murder: "Democrats need more Heartland values candidates like him."
yella dawg dem: "And check this out:
He converted his third-generation family farm to organic methods. I love it."
LordMike: "This guy's campaign is the one to follow and emulate if we want to win our country back."
erch398: "*Reminds me of Paul Wellstone's $3,000 bus!!* Looks like we got another Dem who can connect and get us back the white, working class vote!!"
RBH: "It's time.. It's time.. It's.. tractor.. time! (Tester: A haircut you can set your watch to)"
jgkojak: "This is excellent- this is the type of guy I'm talkin' about - a genuine farmer/rancher type who does his thinkin' on the tractor."
Mullibok: "Tester is a family friend, I volunteered with him a few Januarys back during one of the MT congressional sessions. He's a great guy and sincerely believes in using politics for good. He'd be a freaking great senator!"
New Westerner: "If we're looking for "the real deal," I'm here to tell you we've found him in Montana. Tester is the kind of progressive who not only stands a good chance of beating a redder than red incumbant, but also win over enough hearts to really get something accomplished once he's in."
AdmiralNaismith: "I like this guy already. "You're behind the right guy". Classic."
Chris Bowers: "amazing candidate and a vulnerable incumbent. This is an excellent, excellent opportunity."
If you like what you see, help Jon Tester get his campaign up and running:
www.actblue.com/list/ssp