Jon Tester Will Win With A Positive Message

After reading about the new Tester adds, I am convinced that he will win this election handily. To be sure, all of the Montanan's that I have talked to are really turned off by Burn's nasty talk and name calling. It feels as though we are at a place where we are skeptical, but want to believe that 'decent politician' is not an oxymoron.

I don't know about you, but I get extremely turned off by negative messages. I don't think that name calling and labeling are going to do the Burns campaign any good. Scaring the populace is no way to lead. See KlindtWatch over at Intelligent Discontent for examples of what I am talking about.

Definitions of 'Liberal'

-broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
-having political or social views favoring reform and progress
-tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
-a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

I personally invite and accept the label of 'liberal'. Still, the way that Klindt says it makes it sound like a dirty word. Purely by usage, he is trying to associate the word liberal with something dirty and bad. After making this association that liberal == bad, any stance that falls in line with progressive politics can be shot down with a single word.

"Liberal!"

However, Burns and Klindt have completely underestimated the people of Montana. Montanan's have sensed the negativity in Burn's advertisements and are not happy with it. No matter what mind tricks Burn's wants to try, they still see this as playground name calling. The people of this great state long to be treated as intelligent adults. They want to talk about issues that are important to them on a day to day basis, not flag burning and gay marriage. Most of all, they want to feel like there is a possibility of a bright future and an honest politician that will represent their values. They are beginning to see that Tester offers just that.

Quick note on Burns/Abramoff

There has been a lot of talk on some other blogs that Tester has staked his entire election on the Burns/Abramoff scandal. I want to go on record here to say the same things I have said there. This is not true and it would be a mistake to do so. The informed people of Montana have already heard about this ( and are likely to hear more ) and are capable of drawing their own conclusions. If Tester did start campaigning on this issue, he would become associated in the entire ordeal in the minds of people. It is my opinion that he would do better to keep his name out of this issue altogether. I have posted on this before.