MT-Sen: Burns is corrupt, and Rove comes to town

At the time of this post, Jon Tester is at 3,108 contributors in today's impromptu Tester fundraiser. That puts things at 235 contributions and a few hundred shy of $10K today. The goal post has been moving all afternoon, and it's currently at 3,150, where I absolutely promise to declare victory and move on.

Now, why is all this obnoxious fundraising important? Because of things like this:

Montana Sen. Conrad Burns, a Republican in a tight re-election race, flew on a private plane chartered by Vonage Holdings Corp., just days after he pushed legislation that the company has advocated for more than a year.

Burns accompanied Vonage lobbyist Frank Cavaliere on the company's chartered plane to and from the "13th Annual Burns Classic Golf Weekend" in Bigfork, Mont., on Saturday. Cavaliere and a Burns spokesman both confirmed the plane trip to The Associated Press on Monday.

Burns knows he's in a tight race. He knows this will look terrible. He knows it'll feed into the Dem narrative against him -- that's he's a corrupt SOB. And yet he still can't help himself. He's drawn to lobbyists like a moth to flame. And if a tight reelection battle can't get him to change his behavior, it'll only get worse if he's reelected.

It's the difference between having the people-powered movement "own" a Senator, and having corporate lobbyists and interests lay claim.

You want more motivation? How about this?

Washington D.C. political strategist and Bush Administration insider Karl Rove will be at a U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns fundraiser this weekend, but the event will be closed to news coverage and the public.

The Burns campaign said Rove is going to be in Bigfork for a strategy session and reception following the Burns Classic Golf Tournament.

"Karl is coming out here to talk about the strategy it is going to take to win over the next 56 days, and to fire up the troops," said campaign spokesman Jason Klindt.

Supporters can buy a ticket to the event for $50, Klindt said.

The decision was made to close the event to news coverage and the public because campaign strategy will be among the topics.

So what do you think Rove's strategy is going to be? Focus on the "issues" and wage a "high-minded campaign"? We all know what Rove's presence means. It means money, and it means the groundwork will be laid for the next great Swiftboating effort.

We need to do whatever we can to counter those efforts.

 

Update: That Rove fundraiser/strategy session was last weekend. We can't crash it. But the point remains -- Rove doesn't show up to surrender a race.

Update II: We're at 3,150 contributors. Just need two no more and I'll shut up about this. Well, until the next time.

No need to stop contributing, of course. But you'll have to self-motivate until, most likely, the end of the quarter push at the end of this month. Great job! We gathered 238 contributions in one afternoon, for a total of $10,500. And, lots of other candidates on the list benefited as well.

Race tracker wiki: MT-Sen

•  Anyone in Montana...

   ...willing to invest $50 and listen in?

  by Buzzer on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:03:59 PM PDT

  •  I'll put up $ for someone to get in

    and report back to all of us in the Land of the Sane.

    by adigal on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:15:14 PM PDT

  •  It was this PAST weekend. n/t

    by MTmofo on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:21:22 PM PDT

    •  Then whoever was going to give $50 to get in

      or even a part of it, can think about getting us through the goal posts and out through the end zone by donating to Tester. :)

      by sardonyx on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:20:31 PM PDT

      •  Final appeal of the evening

        Tester is only 26 away from 3200; Webb is only 10 away from 2500. Let's counteract the Rove Plan with more Netroots love.

        by sardonyx on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 10:24:14 PM PDT

    •  Tester as "Zorro" (revised)

      The same day Karl Rove was at the White Oak Grand*, I got this large colorful trifold in my mailbox -- it's theme was "The Mark of Tester," and used the image of Johnson McNullay's Zorro.
      The verbage relied on normal accusations of "liberal," "taxes, etc.
      Did you see it, Doug?
      I wanted to laugh out loud, but I also saw a "guest editorial" in the local cage-bottom where the big lie "Abramoff also gave to Democrats" was repeated yet again.
      Old mud or new mud -- the GOP is throwing it, and will continue to do so, and will lie as much as they have in the past.

      *In lowly Somers, rather than Eagle Bend/Bigfork -- it has a fairly large meeting room, for here.

      Congrats to Tester's campaign for refuting the "slush fund" slur quickly and well -- don't expect Burn's ridiculous "only lawful campaign" quote to stay submerged, though.

      Two bright spots -- a Democratic Party booth at the Kalispell Farmer's market -- last day, but we were there.
      A Young Democrats Club trying to form at Flathead Valley Community College -- don't let the AmeriKan-KKristian Taliban and GOP have the clubs to themselves!
      

      by MT Spaces on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 09:06:29 PM PDT

      •  Yeah, I saw it. More fear & gloom mongering.

        It was rather pathetic in it's construct, layout and presentation.

        by MTmofo on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 11:03:39 PM PDT

  •  I will send good thoughts your way

    But even ten dollars would mean not eating for most of the week for me, and we desperately need all our resources in Ohio. There's probably little that is more important than taking this state back.

    by anastasia p on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 04:47:06 AM PDT

•  Might be worth $50

  to send someone in there to get the scoop.

  by verite on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:06:54 PM PDT

  •  Agreed, we need an undercover diarist

    to get the skinny in person, with audio recording.

    by astronautagogo on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:46:00 PM PDT

    •  Only 50 bucks. Geez too bad we missed it.

      We need to get our act together on sending someone in with tape.

      by cosette on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:03:50 PM PDT

•  indeed

  Or maybe we can pass the hat around for a volunteer willing to suffer amongst the kountry klub krowd.  (Brazen note-taking would probably be a bad move.)

  by genespleen on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:08:00 PM PDT

  •  Speaking of torture...:) n/t

    by Pager on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:14:56 PM PDT

•  Thank you for reiterating the obvious

  The seat is by no means a lock for the Dems and we all should have learned by now, after living through 2004, that this is when the Repubs/Rove roll out the $$$ and the big guns.

  When I see Tester up in the polls, I get my credit card out. We're not the only ones looking at these numbers and you can bet your ass, the Repubs are already writing the checks for Burns.

  That's why we keep sinking money into this race and why we keep on doing it right up until election day.

  by Pager on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:09:01 PM PDT

•  I'm in (n/t)

  by LarryInNYC on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:09:20 PM PDT

•  Hubby's grandma has a summer home in Big Fork...

  ...AND, she's a staunch Democrat who once ran for County Commission in her county. :)

  Shoot, the only problem is that she's back in her "winter home" of Las Vegas, NV early this year helping my husband's aunt go through her divorce. ;( Otherwise, she'd be the PERFECT mole to invade the Big Fork country club. :-p

  by boofdah on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:11:06 PM PDT

•  Good photo-op of Burns/Rove would help Tester

  a lot, let's hope it happens (you'll need your barf bags however).

  by Cartoon Peril on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:11:27 PM PDT

  •  Shit, just looking at that "Architect" ad...

    ...makes me want to run for the porcelain god. Just looking at Rove's face elicits that gastronomical upset from me. :-p

    by boofdah on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:12:25 PM PDT

    •  Photos of Rove -- a violation of the

      Geneva Convention?

      by Cartoon Peril on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:14:56 PM PDT

•  fucking slimeballs

  how do they sleep at night?

  by thereisnospoon on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:12:02 PM PDT

  •  they are sociopaths...

    no conscience...no empathy...no problem

    by mayan on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:44:38 PM PDT

•  Go Tester! But Help Akaka this week only!

  I love what I'm seeing out of Montana, and do strongly support Jon Tester.  I just added him to my actblue page, and will donate soon.

  But for this week only, I urge your attention to Dan Akaka - he faces a tough primary this Saturday in Hawaii from one of the three remaining democrats who are still endorsing Joe Lieberman's campaign for Senate: Ed Case.

  I write quite a bit about it diary.

  by schultzy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:13:07 PM PDT

  •  In just one week -

    stave off Lieberman's Hawaii Doppleganger from pro-peace Dan Akaka.

    Akaka's endorsed by Peace Action, social workers, labor groups, Senators Kerry, Feingold, Obama, and Inouye.

    Who's endorsed DINO Ed Case?  Big Business groups like the National Realtors Association, who spend over $600K in July alone for Ed Case.  

    by schultzy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:15:23 PM PDT

    •  I think you're on the wrong thread, my friend.

      by Pager on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:17:05 PM PDT

      •  I appreciate the "my friend"

        but how else is anyone going to pay any mind to this race????

        I think it's great that kos posted some poll numbers, but it's an open primary.

        All this work for Lamont, what if Ed Case wins and nobody paid much attention?

        It would mean ZERO change for the US Senate.

        I love Tester.  I'm doing stuff for Tester.

        But Akaka's race is Saturday.  

        Thanks, "my friend"

        by schultzy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:19:17 PM PDT

        •  Thanks for hijacking the thread

          That's sure to get you vast support for your upcoming diary, at least from me, "good buddy".

          by Pager on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:26:12 PM PDT

      •  Many a diary

        and so little attention on the front page... I am just trying here.  

        Kudos to Tester.  All the nice things kos is doing for all these great candidates...

        Just how else do I get attention for this?

        Ed Case is one of three Dems (and I use the term losely) that still support Joe Lieberman.  He's a DLC, pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war Dem.

        I'll write another diary tonight, and few will read it.  So I am trying every way I can to be the small voice on this blog to try try try to be heard!

        by schultzy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:23:00 PM PDT

        •  Read the FAQ on the Home page.

          We all have compelling races and issues that we want noticed.  It would be utter chaos if we all hijacked threads like this.

          by cosette on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:02:18 PM PDT

  •  HI-SEN: I should have added that -

    Yes, there is another democratic primary for U.S. Senate, and it happens Saturday.

    This time, it's the reverse of Lamont/Lieberman, ideologically, except Akaka is arguably more progressive than Lamont, and Ed Case more conservative than Lieberman.

    It would be a shame to work so hard to elect Lamont, just to have all his votes cancelled out by DINO Ed Case.

    It's an open primary, and Ed Case is actively seeking Republican votes in his primary.  That is his base, after all....

    by schultzy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:17:31 PM PDT

  •  point well taken,

    but push this on an open thread .. you're bound to get the natives restless otherwise.

    by shpilk on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:12:03 PM PDT

•  Sick Bastards

  Montana Burns while Rove Fiddles

  by MikeBaseball on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:13:57 PM PDT

•  I've been

  ... updating Blue Notes, my ActBlue page, with help from DailyKos reports, but Tester's beeon on there since day one. If you'd like to make a quick contribution to his campaign and shop for some other worthy candidates, come on by.

  by Alvin K on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:14:32 PM PDT

•  Rove = Slime. Period. n/t

  by RevJoe on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:25:57 PM PDT

•  somebody got the facts wrong

  Because it makes no sense.  They're going to share the secret handshake with anyone who ponies up $50?  Gimme a break.  Not even when shaken, rattled and rolled will Rove do something that stupid.  Did someone leave a couple of zeroes off the $50?

  by dr limerick on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:26:51 PM PDT

  •  you had to be invited AND pay $50

    was just for repubs.  They wanted to get their photos with Rove - dumbasses.

    by bigsky92 on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:45:12 PM PDT

•  Swiftboating of the opponent, eh?

  How does that work? "I may be a corrupt son-of-a-bitch, but Mr. Tester is even corrupter"? Is that even possible?

  by highlyunlikely on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:27:11 PM PDT

•  Can one of our guys pay $50 and get into

  Rove/Burns event and blog (brag?) about it here?

  by ecoast on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 06:57:15 PM PDT

•  I am delighted that Karl Rove was there

    I am delighted that I can press a few keys on my keyboard, along with legions of other Kossacks, and cause Karl Rove to frantically jet back and forth across the country trying to plug leaks. Every nickle I send is a dollar out of the Republican Party's treasury and I'm glad to see my little silver bullets are hitting the mark.

  by Iowa Boy on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:08:01 PM PDT

•  make it 3138 Markos ..

  I sent a whole bunch of people a little bit .. the stripe on my poor credit card is glowing, but it's a happy credit card :)

  by shpilk on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:13:29 PM PDT

•  Rove will have to learn to be in a lot of places

  at the same time if he hopes to make a difference in this election. Attacking works for dems too!

  by power2truth on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:16:31 PM PDT

•  Damnit..

  Now I have to change my phone service?

  Let's see..

  Verizon? I don't think so.

  Cavalier? (I don't know much about them except for knowing that their service sucks.)

  Comcast? Get real. Just thinking "Comcast" makes my poopie sore.

  What am I to do? Tie a series of tin cans together?

  ::::

  by nowheredesign on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:21:45 PM PDT

•  Big Fork...

  ...fitting.

  Stick a big fork in those motherfuckers, cuz in two months, they gonna be DONE.

  by ThunderHawk13 on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:26:39 PM PDT

  •  the deal with Bigfork is

    It used to be a nice little Montana town on the east side of Flathead Lake.  Now it is over-run with out of state money, property values are totally ridiculous, and it is dominated by realtors, golf courses, and new mansions for the new rich residents.  

    Fitting then that it is where Burns chooses to meet up with Rove - and host an overpriced golf tourney.  And all Montanans are upset at the way our state is becoming a playground for the rich - Dems and Repubs alike.  So that little Bigfork tidbit will rub Montana Repubs (especially ranchers in eastern Montana) the wrong way.

    by bigsky92 on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:49:52 PM PDT

•  Those darn goalpost movers!

  Completely without authorization -- the claim was "you contracted for five moves, we're gonna give you five moves" -- they've moved the goalposts to 3200.

  Kos didn't ask for it: he's already declared 3150 to be the last goal of the evening. We've succeeded, and exceeded all expectations.

  Nevertheless, there it sits. 3200. Eminently doable. Only 50 more. And Webb could hit 2500 with a mere 25 additional donations, since we're talking about Senate candidates.

  In the previous Tester topic, where this challenge began, Sallycat said to be sure to keep going until midnight PDT so everyone had a chance to donate.

  This is your chance. Go for it!

  by sardonyx on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:33:26 PM PDT

  •  Progress toward 3200

    has slowed: we're at 3160 for Jon Tester. Kos suggested self-motivation, so myself is motivating the rest of you: only 40 to go. And Jim Webb is only 18 away from 2500.

    All you left coast types have another three hours to come through. I trust in Sallycat: you'll want in on the fun. :)

    by sardonyx on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 08:22:16 PM PDT

    •  I'm moving the goalposts again

      Now we need 80,000,000 contributions! I know if we all pitch in we can make it by next thursday!

      One awsome thing about goalpost moving, seriously though, is that you can change the outcome of the game. Let's say the guy is prepared to kick and as he kicks, you move the goalpost. He'll probably miss! If it works in football, it will work in politics...heheehehe

      by Mikesco on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 12:43:57 AM PDT

•  Hey Kos, Shouldn't the title be

  "Burns is corrupt, therefore Rove is coming to town"?
  snark

  by Da Rat Bastid on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 07:54:47 PM PDT

•  Rove + Burns BFF

  I was looking for any photos or stories about Rove's recent visit to MT and came across these links related to Rove's 2005 visit.  Seems he's been bailing out Burns for quite some time now.

  From Swing State project (03/31/05):
  Karl Rove worried about Burns scandal

  And a diary from Tester himself (09/30/05):
  Beating Back the Rove/Burns machine

  The more things change the more they stay the same.

  by On The Bus on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 08:06:26 PM PDT

•  If you're in California...

  One of the ways you can stop this kind of corruption and legal bribery is by voting for Proposition 89, the Clean Money and Fair Elections initiative.

  by goatchowder on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 08:07:26 PM PDT

•  It's jawdropping

  that anyone could be this blatant about being bought and paid for in the middle of a hotly contested campaign. It's as if he's literally mocking the voters of the state. I hope Montanans have more sense than to vote for him, He underscores how desperately we need camoaign and ethics reform -- NOW. It should just simply be illegal for a politician to accept gifts from lobbyists or to vote on legislation pertaining in any way from anyone they have ever accepted ANYTHING from.

  by anastasia p on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 04:49:55 AM PDT

•  Frank Cavaliere and Sen. Allen

  Reading the post, the name Frank Cavaliere kept tugging at my memory.  Finally, I realized where I knew him from - he used to work in George Allen's DC office, as a Legislative Director or something for telecom issues.

  Guess that revolving door worked out well for him, huh?

  by ciao gatta on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 08:01:17 AM PDT