Not just because he has raised the most money or put up the biggest television ad buy, but because he simply has the most name recognition.
Dennis McDonald has been a tried and tested leader since before his closest trailing primary opponentwas born.
As a lawyer and probation officer, he made his career defending those who have the least voice in society.
As a rancher, Dennis has been a leader in the agricultural community. Since he started ranching in Montana in 1972, he's been a founding member of two major national agricultural groups, R-CALF and the United States Cattlemen's Association. He also served as President of the Montana Cattlemen's Association. He lives and works on his ranch every day, with help from 3 of his 4 children.
As Chairman of the Montana Democratic Party, Dennis crisscrossed the state discussing issues at kitchen tables and town hall meetings. His tireless efforts led to the election of Jon Tester in 2006 and to Democratic victories in every Tier-B race in 2008-the first time that's happened in Montana since 1948. This was key to building his name recognition.
As a member of the President's International Trade Advisory Committee, Dennis traveled the globe and fought against the Central American Free Trade Agreement. He was appointed to this position by President Bill Clinton and re-appointed by President George W. Bush.
Basically, Dennis has the leadership, tenacity, and experience to be an effective leader in the United States Congress. He has served tirelessly in these and many other leadership positions trying to make life better for the least among us.
In spite of desperate attacks from his opponents for his years spent as a defense lawyer for supposedly having a mob criminal as a client years ago, McDonald "took a crook and turned him into a witness,' he said. And, together with federal prosecutors and the FBI, McDonald and Fratianno helped take down more than two dozen other mobsters."