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Campaign Crawlers
Harry Reid, Your Number Is Up!
And it comes in at 3,562. Montana Senate candidate Steve Daines will explain.
It was election night 2006, and as the results came in, one U.S. Senate seat after another turned from red to blue. And finally, during the early morning hours of November 8, the final wall was breached. Montana’s junior Senator, Republican Conrad Burns was 3,562 votes short of defeating his Democrat opponent, Jon Tester. It was the loss of this Senate seat in Montana that handed the Senate Majority Leader gavel over to Harry Reid with a 51/49 margin in the U.S. Senate. Out of 406,505 votes cast, the race was decided by a mere 3,562 votes — the closest Senate race in the country. Three thousand five hundred and sixty-two votes in Montana decided the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
But little could we know at that time how important those 3,562 votes and that one Montana U.S. Senate seat would become.
In the past two years, that one Montana Senate seat would have made THE difference in stopping Obama, Reid, and Pelosi from:
• Passing ObamaCare (and Cash for Clunkers).
• Raising the Debt Limit to $14.3 Trillion.
• Exempting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from the massive financial overhaul.
• Overturning of the “Mexico City” policy preventing tax dollars from being spent on foreign abortion providers.
These are just a few examples. In each case, Jon Tester voted with Obama and Reid and not with the people of Montana and America.
Let that sink in. But for 3,562 votes in Montana in 2006, ObamaCare would not be the law of the land in 2010.
This pivotal Senate seat that actually handed the gavel to Harry Reid in 2006 and made the difference on ObamaCare is now in play. The citizens of Montana, tea party members, and a popular conservative leader there, Steve Daines, have already started the effort to finish what the voters of Nevada and other states could not — firing Harry Reid in 2012. Daines is a fifth-generation Montanan, father of four, and businessman who has helped to create hundreds of jobs in Montana over the past decade. He has already been endorsed in both the primary and the general by Concerned Women for America and Gun Owners of America. Daines has also already pledged to never request an earmark and is a strong supporter of a Balanced Budget Amendment. He is just the kind of citizen legislator Montana and Washington needs.
In October of this past year when Harry Reid was fighting for his political life in Nevada, Jon Tester sent out an urgent fundraising appeal on Harry Reid’s behalf and said, “Harry Reid is a lot like me.”
With the above knowledge, many conservatives have realized that Steve Daines is fighting for the conservative cause so they have decided to join his fight to defeat Montana liberal Jon Tester.
And, many of them went to www.SteveDaines.com and in a clever twist contributed $35.62. Then they signed up to contribute $35.62 every month until Steve Daines and the people of Montana send Jon Tester home in November 2012.
Tester and Reid gave us an unwanted Christmas present last year by jamming ObamaCare through the U.S. Senate on Christmas Eve.
Conservatives are poised to return the political gift in kind this Christmas by remembering 3,562.
About the Author
Ken Blackwell, the former mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio is Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Platform Committee. He also serves on the boards of the Club For Growth and the National Taxpayers Union.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (31) | Leave a comment
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russel| 12.7.10 @ 7:31AM
Our neighbor to the north has disaapointed more than once . Once a state of ranches and small friendly towns , it's now grown into another liberal second home location . Think Vail without the ski slopes ( doesn't Tom Brokaw and Ted Turner own a collosal ranch there ? ) . Californians write off their Montana mansion so as not to pay Ca. tax instead . And they elect the likes of Tester and Baucus , one of the most foul in congress today . May Dianes emerge victorious , for all us in the Rockies .
Taterblade| 12.7.10 @ 6:47PM
There are lots of ski slopes in Montana, several are World Class - can't say the same about our Senators...
Joanne| 12.7.10 @ 11:44PM
I am still blaming the Republican organization in MT for putting up a candidate who had no credibility. He was a worse choice than McCain 2 years ago.. The Republican hierarchy shoulders a lot of blame on this.
Daniel| 12.7.10 @ 8:35AM
I seem to remember a story from Montana in October 2006 that said Conrad Burns was practically begging for money from the RNC and the White House because Tester was gaining in the polls. Karl Rove basically told him to drop dead.
Thanks, Karl.
loulou| 12.7.10 @ 2:18PM
I wish Rove would drop dead and keep his potato head off TV. The little creep is ubiquitous.
darcy| 12.7.10 @ 9:15PM
Not to argue with you about the less-than-positive influence Rove has within the GOP, but I do wish to opine on Conrad Burns: He was an absolute boob. If blame there be, it falls on the heads of those nimcompoops in the Montana Republican Party who permitted such an oaf as Burns to be their candidate for Senate in the first place.
One has to wonder why the Montana GOP can't produce better material than Conrad Burns; must that they are rotten at the core. Go ahead, Montana, prove me wrong!!
And this, coming from me, a former 18-year resident of the state.
Joanne| 12.7.10 @ 11:47PM
I agree with your comments. the State Republicans don't impress me one bit with the session what is coming up in January. Infantile is all I can say.
Tom| 12.8.10 @ 4:32PM
Rove was a disaster, and not to be trusted.
Michael| 12.7.10 @ 9:36AM
There was a Libertarian candidate that split the vote giving Tester the win.
uspat| 12.8.10 @ 7:40AM
A Libertarian split used to give Republicans the win (think Ralph Nader).
Al Adab| 12.7.10 @ 10:16AM
Democrat candidates, no matter what they might say, believe or feel themselves, are nonetheless hostage to the dictates of their party and its controling Left wing when elected. The ostensible "Blue Dogs" demonstyrate clearly that no matter the principle, when it comes to party discipline, the controling power wins.
For Republicans a similar condition applies as too many feel the need to compromise and accomodate with The Left, to the detriment of Conservative principles. That is why it is necessary to prune the GOP and maintain a Conservative predonderance whenever possible even at the cost of an occasional seat. One can indeed lose a battle now and then but, with a strategic view, still win the war.
darcy| 12.7.10 @ 9:26PM
Hi, Al Adab. Hi there and hello again.
I concur with your pruning analogy. Conservatives, we must infiltrate the local party apparatus; otherwise, we leave candidate decision-making to the liberals within the party who currently hold sway.
County GOP elections are this month. If you're not in the pipeline with a seat at the table to cast your vote as an elected precinct committeeman, then the liberal contender will win the seat; that's right, liberals among the rank and file GOP are deep and wide.
How else could the national party leadership be so malleable in the hands of Democrats. Duh. Think McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Feingold -- and I'm sure others of you can relate similar occurrences with your own RINO senators/congressmen.
tj| 12.7.10 @ 11:03AM
Swamp them with emails
Janet Napolitano Places Cameras in Wal-Mart Stores for Department of Homeland Security
This is why I, my family and friends will never buy or visit your stores again. This is outrageous. Big Brother and you in your stupidity will be sorry you ever let this happen in your stores. The TSA goons have never stopped an assault in this country. The people on the planes did and the parents of the stupid bombers reported them. WAKE THE HELL UP!!
Say goodbye to your freedoms.
Taterblade| 12.7.10 @ 6:51PM
Shop wherever you like but... They are showing VIDEOS at some checkout lines asking folks to report suspicious behavior, not placing cameras.
Lets get the facts right lest we lose the power of right.
darcy| 12.7.10 @ 9:37PM
Taterblade: makes no difference. The fact that DHS has intruded into a private corporation to spew its message is Orwellian at the very least.
Just remember this: the intrusions of today condition the public for more egregious intrusions in the future. This is very serious, and I will not be shopping at WalMart for anything ever again.
sestamibi| 12.7.10 @ 1:45PM
Ken, thanks for this heads up. While I'm glad Kasich won, I wish you were starting your second terms as Ohio governor.
loulou| 12.7.10 @ 2:19PM
Ken's time will come. He is one of the GOP's brightest stars.
MikeD| 12.7.10 @ 10:20PM
Watta ya think of that, Ken? You're building a following. Check your site.
Quartermaster| 12.7.10 @ 7:45PM
The Ohio GOP establishment hates Blackwell. I was an elected County official when he was Sec of State. The Ohio establishment gave that to Mr. Blackwell to clear the way for the corrupt Bob Taft. Taft is why Strickland was elected and beat Blackwell. It wasn't because Blackwell was a bad candidate, the brand had been deeply hurt by Taft and his maladminstration, and "King George" Voinovich before him.
I hope Blackwell does run again, and wins this time. But it will be inspite of the GOP establishment.
bill tronson| 12.7.10 @ 4:43PM
Ken, Steve Daines is particularly popular with himself, he is on the right side and certainly would serve us better than Jon Tester but he is another huge ego guy who thinks he knows what is best for everyone. I will have to hold my nose to vote for him.
darcy| 12.7.10 @ 9:41PM
If the national Republican Party does not have a settled candidate yet to face off in 2012, why the hell are you settling so early on a candidate for whom you'll have to hold your nose when you vote?
What is wrong with Montana???? How many years have you had to put up with that horrible Baucus creature because no one in the entire state had the cajones and the conservative credentials to oppose him -- for how many decades now?
Michael| 12.7.10 @ 11:59PM
The Montana Republicans are real good at shooting themselves in the foot. The last time Baucus ran the state GOP allowed the Democrats to pick the candidate he ran against and as a result Baucus coasted to re-election without even having to campaign. There is a serious lack of leadership and brains in the Montana GOP.
bill tronson| 12.8.10 @ 1:02PM
Darcy, I will vote for anyone who opposes Baucus or Tester, hopefully a viable candidate will step up. I think Brian Schweitzer may challenge Tester because Tester is vulnerable and Schweitzer's ambition has no limits. I think former congressman Rick Hill would be a great candidate but he is running for governor. I agree that we have sent some of the lamest senators and congressman of any state, hopefully it will end soon.
Tex Expatriate| 12.8.10 @ 2:39PM
I grew to manhood in the west and except for a five-year hiatus lived in the west until 2003, when I had to relocate to Indiana. I live every day with acute homesickness.
When I look at New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada and even Texas, I have to ask Wha' Happen'? I finished High School in Oklahoma, stay connected with old friends there, and at least I can say that Oklahoma hasn't let the Marxists and Fascists take control.
Mark R| 12.9.10 @ 7:10PM
Looking at the 33 seats coming up in 2012 (10 GOP, 21 Dems plus two indies who caucus with the Dems), the GOP MAY have enough to take control of the Senate but nothing's for sure.
On the GOP side three seats are vulnerable: Snowe in Maine (though she's a RINO), Brown in Massachusetts (another RINO) and Ensign in Nevada (having an affair doesn't help, though Vitter in Louisiana survived such this year).
On the Dem/indie side, the GOP could take down both Nelsons (Florida and Nebraska), McCaskill in Missouri, Conrad in North Dakota, Webb in Virginia, and Tester in Montana.
If all nine of those seats flipped we get the infamous 50-50 tie, thus making the VP candidate very important. Get a RINO in there (Romney) and Lord only knows what happens. Get a more conservative voice (Perry from Texas, perhaps?) and things look better.
Ken Roberts| 12.9.10 @ 9:48PM
Being a resident of Ohio , I am proud to have a republican Governor again the last one was a wash out and a blue blood republican and did nothing for our state but did little harm and now we need as little harm in our great industrial state as possible , I believe Kasich will deliver on his promise of getting it right in the state of Ohio . I wanted Ken Blackwell to run the last time but alas he could not . maybe next time. I really think he would have made the best choice for our failing state . people like Brown is tearing the very fabric of working apart , he wants to be in the elite class, he has decided by his replies to me on several issues he is not interested in the constitution nor in making things right . Sherrod Brown must be defeated in 2012 or when ever he has to run again, he needs to away from political life forever he is what is wrong with the democrat party. I will campaign against him when he does run again .
Ken Roberts | 12.9.10 @ 9:56PM
I must clarify I voted for Blackwell the last time but Strictland won I indicated he was not the candidate please excuse me I have been sick and not thinking to straight at this point in time. Blackwell would have been the better one to run this state for sure ,.
Wes in MT| 12.14.10 @ 10:32AM
Couple of things on the ground here in MT about Burns loss to Testor in '06. Burns was painted as being corrupt -Abramoff affair I think- and it ramped up big time right before the election. Also, the stupid college kids were doing alot of same day voter registration and voting. Not surprisingly, just like happened in Alaska to Ted Stevens, after the election, they dropped the investigation against Burns as he was not corrupt.
So why can't republicans fight that way too? I'm tired of the gentleman's party selling us down the river because they want to abide by Queensbury rules when the other guy is street fightin'.