When it comes to Conrad Burns this year, Montana Republicans are sounding like Democrats in 2004: they're actually saying "
hold your nose and vote."
It's time to face the facts: Sen. Conrad Burns is an embarrassment to Montana. A foul-mouthed, self-promoting buffoon, a prince of fools in the college of clowns we know as the United States Senate, Burns is held in such contempt by his colleagues that in 18 years he hasn't been given a single committee assignment of importance or considered for a serious post in the leadership.
And this is from a supporter! The litany continues.
He has no significant legislation to his credit and has never delivered a thoughtful speech on the Senate floor. His time seems to be spent cavorting with lobbyists and berating civil servants while sporting yet another new cowboy hat and endless pairs of handmade boots.
Can anyone seriously contend that Montana or the United States would be any different if Burns had never entered politics? He's been a cipher, the invisible man, and a seat-warmer.
Quite a critique, eh? But to this letter writer, you have to vote for Burns anyway, or Nancy Pelosi is going to get you.
Nonetheless, every Montanan who loves this state and cares deeply about the future of our country must not only vote for Burns but must undertake every possible effort to ensure his reelection.
Why? Because he is a rock-solid vote in the Republican caucus, and the Republicans must retain at least 51 seats in the Senate to avoid a catastrophe for our nation.
Of course, that's just one letter-writing Republican in Whitefish. But what's interesting is that the NRSC themselves are aware of how embarrassing Burns is. One of their attack ads against Jon Tester starts off with this ringing endorsement of Burn's character:
Conrad Burns. What a character. Might be politically incorrect and certainly not perfect, but he sure fights for our families in Montana.
I've said many times before that my optimism about Jon Tester's prospects is, at best, reserved. Conrad Burns has shown himself to be a hell of a closer three times already. It's not out of the question that he'll win a fourth time, even up against a great candidate like Tester, an unfavorable national mood, and widespread reports of his own corruption. But I'm impressed that, more than ever before, he seems to be having trouble holding on to his own supporters.