According to the latest numbers, Jon Tester is sitting on a lead.  But this race has not been called.  At 2 a.m. MDT, Jon told a crowded room full of cheering supporters:

“The good news is: the hard part is done.  All that door-knocking, all those phone calls, all that worn-out shoe leather—it all comes down to this.  But we’re not celebrating a victory quite yet… Thank you for fighting with me—for Montana values.  For responsibility, for accountability, and for our freedom.  No matter what happens, your hard work is a testament to the power we have as people to decide the direction of our country.”

The Associated Press is closely tracking this race.  The Montana Secretary of State’s Office also has numbers online HERE.

We’re told more numbers will come in later this morning, and of course we’ll keep you posted. -AM

1:45 p.m.

Earlier today, I tweeted this recording of a robocall on behalf of Congressman Dennis Rehberg, which apparently saturated Montana homes last night.  As Congressman Rehberg should know, robocalls are illegal in Montana.

That hasn’t stopped the Congressman’s own family from robocalling Montanans in recent days.  HERE is a recording of another Rehberg robocall, as reported by the blog Montana Cowgirl.

For anyone interested, here is a statement from Jon Tester’s campaign manager, Preston Elliott:

“Congressman Rehberg’s use of robocalls in Montana isn’t just illegal, it’s an irresponsible substitute for campaigning on his own behalf—which he’s proven himself incapable of. That’s why has to rely on out-of-state politicians to do his work for him.”

–Preston Elliott, Campaign Manager, Montanans for Tester

Until the next update, -AM

• UPDATE #1 – “The Electric City”

9:30 a.m.

Good morning from “The Electric City” of Great Falls, where scores of volunteers are hard at work getting out the vote for Montana farmer Jon Tester.

I’ll be sending updates as they come in today.  Here’s what’s happening now:

Jon Tester wrapped up his 21^st rally in the past week last night in Great Falls.  Local TV stations KRTV and KFBB both covered the crowded rally.  Jon’s message: “Momentum is on our side!”

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, Jon Tester’s longtime friend, performed last night with his new rock band “RNDM” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Here’s a screenshot of Jeff (masked, with the “Vote Tester” sign) and Jimmy Fallon (masked, with green clipboard).  Check out the performance on Hulu HERE.

Tonight’s Election Night party, at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls will begin shortly after the polls close in Montana – 8p Mountain Daylight Time.

Cheers, -Aaron Murphy, Communications Director

Nov. 4, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. – With the release of another poll Sunday, Montana farmer Jon Tester is keeping a clear lead over Congressman Dennis Rehberg.

A new survey released today by Public Policy Polling puts Tester ahead of Congressman Dennis Rehberg by two points:

• Montana Farmer Jon Tester: 48%
• Congressman Dennis Rehberg: 46%
• Libertarian Candidate Dan Cox: 4%

PPP notes that Tester significantly leads independent voters and is “far more popular than Rehberg who only has a 37% approval with 54% of voters unhappy with his performance.”

Full results of PPP’s Sunday poll is available online HERE.

On Friday, polls from Rasmussen Reports and Garin-Hart-Yang gave Tester a one-point lead over Rehberg.

According to the Montana blog Flathead Memo, Tester has enjoyed a lead over Rehberg in most of the polls conducted over the past month.  Tester has led seven of eight public polls conducted since October 10.

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Nov. 4, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Traveling Chicken, who crossed the country this summer in search of Dennis Rehberg, is back.

And he’s again on the lookout for the lobbyist-turned-Congressman.

Politico reports that while Tester “sprints” across Montana holding energetic rallies with hundreds of people this weekend, Rehberg is “laying low” so he won’t “risk an eleventh-hour gaffe on the campaign trail that could turn the focus back to the candidates’ personalities.”

“Rehberg’s public disappearance the weekend before Election Day is unusual,” Politico adds, noting the Congressman “declined a request for an interview.”

This isn’t Rehberg’s first disappearance from Montana.

Rehberg in June broke a promise and backed out of a long-scheduled debate with Montana farmer Jon Tester.  When that happened, the Traveling Chicken scoured Washington, D.C. and Montana, but never found Rehberg.

Click HERE to watch the Traveling Chicken’s appearance on MSNBC’s Hardball.

It turns out that Rehberg canceled his debate with Tester in order to attend an out-of-state fundraiser.

With less than 48 hours of campaigning left, Tester is wasting no time.  He’s holding seven major rallies across the state.

Below is a visual comparison of the turnouts at Tester’s and Rehberg’s recent campaign events:

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Nov. 1, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. –  The newly released investigative report about Congressman Dennis Rehberg’s alcohol-related boat crash on Flathead Lake may be incomplete.

In 2010, District Judge John McKeon ordered the report, called a “Pre-Sentencing Investigation,” to include witness statements from Rehberg and the two staffers he put on the boat before it crashed into a rocky shore on August 27, 2009.

From page 12:

The investigative report released Wednesday, however, does not include any detailed witness reports or transcripts of interviews with those involved in the crash.

McKeon last week ordered the release of an edited version of the investigative report, but his order did not keep witness statements sealed from the public.

“If complete witness accounts were part of the investigation, and if Judge McKeon did not specifically order them to be kept from the public, then the people of Montana should be able to see them to determine how Congressman Dennis Rehberg was involved,” said Montanans for Tester spokeswoman Alexandra Fetissoff.

Montanans for Tester on Wednesday said the release of the report “raises more questions about Congressman Rehberg’s gross failure of accountability and his dishonesty with Montanans about what truly happened that night.”

Tester’s campaign notes that while Rehberg claims there were “no signs of impairment,” the report reveals that the owner of the boat was clearly drunk, and that witnesses smelled alcohol on scene.

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Heavily redacted report includes no witness statement from Rehberg

Oct. 31, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montanans for Tester campaign manager Preston Elliott tonight released the following statement in response to the “heavily redacted” release of the 155-page report of Congressman Dennis Rehberg’s 2009 boat crash on Flathead Lake.

“This report raises more questions about Congressman Rehberg’s gross failure of accountability and his dishonesty with Montanans about what truly happened that night.  Congressman Rehberg wants us to believe there were ‘no signs of impairment,’ but these records indicate a much different story about a night of heavy drinking.  More importantly, Congressman Rehberg made a decision to put his two young staffers on a boat with a driver who was obviously and severely drunk—a decision that changed lives forever.  That kind of personal irresponsibility has no place in Congress.”

The boat crash report is online HERE.

Further questions raised by the report:

• Congressman Rehberg claims there were ‘no signs of impairment,’ so why does the investigative report say Barkus’ blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit a full two hours after the crash and witnesses smelled alcohol at the scene?
• Why were “red drinking cups” found at the scene? (Rehberg admitted earlier to seeing a “cooler of… margarita” on the boat.)
• The report says victim Dustin Frost, a staffer of Rehberg’s “still suffers from injuries sustained in the crash.”  Has Rehberg ever been held accountable for his decision to have Frost on the boat?  (Rehberg earlier said that both Frost and Kristin Smith were “staffing” him that night, which he considered a “working evening.”)
• Did Congressman Rehberg receive any insurance settlement money?

Below is a snippet from a transcript of Rehberg’s September 9, 2009 conference call with reporters, during which he was asked about the owner of the boat, state senator Greg Barkus:

AP CORRESPONDENT MATT GOURAS: Congressman, was there any indication that you could tell if Senator Barkus was impaired at all?

REP. DENNIS REHBERG: No.  Absolutely not.  It would be like me talking to you right now.  Yeah, and I have no idea what anybody else felt, I mean we can go through and second-guess ourselves forever on this thing, but as far as I can tell I saw no signs of impairment at all.  None.

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Oct. 31, 2012

GLENDIVE, Mont. – Montana Farmer Jon Tester this morning released the following statement in response to “Big Sky, Big Money,” a PBS Frontline documentary that uncovers corruption in Montana politics following the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United v. FEC case—a decision supported by lobbyist-turned-Congressman Dennis Rehberg:

“This investigation uncovers exactly what’s wrong with Citizens United—it is corrupting our very democracy. We don’t need more money in politics.  We need more accountability.  And Montana deserves leaders who lead by example—not lip service—when it comes to transparency.”

Tester is a longtime opponent of the Citizens United decision and supports efforts in Congress to overturn it through constitutional amendment.

Rehberg, endorsed by the organization Citizens United, said the Supreme Court case is “the right decision.”

Frontline’s documentary is available in its entirety online HERE.

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Oct. 31, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. – Thousands of Montanans opened today’s Billings Gazette to find a full-page ad welcoming Senator John McCain of Arizona back to the Big Sky State with a genuine “thank you” from Montana farmer Jon Tester.

The ad, online HERE, praises McCain for his outspoken criticism of the Supreme Court’s unpopular Citizens United decision.  Rehberg is the only candidate in Montana’s U.S. Senate race who supports the controversial decision, which allows unlimited campaign spending with little accountability.

 McCain, like Tester, is a staunch opponent of Citizens United who believes the case “is the worst decision of the United States Supreme Court in the 21^st Century.”

“We have to have a limit on the flow of money [into elections], and corporations are not people,” McCain said this past June.

Days later, Rehberg called Citizens United the “right decision on the part of the Supreme Court.”

Because of Rehberg and his support for Citizens United, 25,211 political TV ads ran in Montana during the first three weeks of October.  Montanans have been exposed to more political TV ads than any other state in the nation.

In addition to the millions of special interest dollars that have been spent on behalf of Rehberg this election cycle, Tester’s newspaper ad also points out that special interests funded 13 luxury trips for Rehberg.

Rehberg was even endorsed by the organization Citizens United, the plaintiff responsible for the case.

“Unlike Dennis Rehberg, Jon Tester and Jon McCain believe that people and their ideas—not corporations and their money should decide elections,” said Alexandra Fetissoff Montanans for Tester spokeswoman. “Dennis Rehberg’s belief that corporations are entitled to the same rights as people is out of touch, irresponsible, and it’s hurting Montanans.”

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]]> http://www.jontester.com/news/2012/tester-greets-sen-mccain-with-a-full-page-ad-and-a-thank-you/feed/ 0 http://www.jontester.com/news/press-releases/2012/key-legislation-by-jon-tester-now-public-law/ http://www.jontester.com/news/press-releases/2012/key-legislation-by-jon-tester-now-public-law/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:49:02 +0000 max http://www.jontester.com/?p=8970 This week, Lee Newspapers is examining the records of Montana farmer Jon Tester and Congressman Dennis Rehberg.

Jon Tester puts Montana first in every decision he makes, and he effectively works with Republicans, Democrats and Independents to write and pass responsible policy.  Every bill he writes stems from an idea or concern that comes directly from Montana.

The following is a partial list of bills and amendments either authored or co-written by Jon Tester that are now Public Law. Since 2007, Congress has often incorporated smaller legislation into larger bills, thus resulting in fewer “stand alone” bills being signed into law.

VETERANS & HOMELAND SECURITY

• The Disabled Veterans Fairness Act of 2007 (S.994): Nearly quadrupled the VA’s mileage reimbursement rate for disabled veterans—the first increase in 30 years. Included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (Pubic Law No. 110-161).
• Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (S.658): Made numerous improvements to health care benefits for veterans in rural states like Montana. Included in the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (S.1963, Public Law No. 111-163).
• Project Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) for Veterans (part of Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act): Expands access to VA health care in rural areas. Included in the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-387).
• Amendment requiring an investigation and report to Congress on the vulnerabilities of America’s northern border (S.Amdt 3117): Part of the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007 (Public Law No. 110-53).
• Project SHAD Veterans Health Care (S.2937): Provides VA care to participants of the military’s Shipboard Hazard and Defense program. Included in the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-387).
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 (S.894): Resulted in a cost-of-living increase in veterans’ benefits. Enacted.
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012 (S.2259): Will result in a cost-of-living increase in veterans’ benefits. Awaiting enactment.
• VOW To Hire Heroes Act (S.Amdt. 927): Provides tax credits for businesses that hire veterans and expand on-the-job training/apprenticeship programs for veterans. Included in H.R. 647. (Public Law No. 112-56).
• Modernizing the American Legion (S. 1639): Permits the American Legion to accept debit and credit card payments online. (Public Law No. 112-66).
• Treating Vet Centers as VA facilities (S.696): Treats Vet Centers as VA facilities for purposes of authorized payments or allowances for beneficiary travel to or from a VA facility in connection with medical care. Included in the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (Public Law No. 112-154).

MONTANA’S OUTDOOR HERITAGE

• Delisting Gray Wolves to Restore State Management Act (S.321): Removed Montana’s gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act and returned their management to the State of Montana. Included in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (Public Law No. 112-10).
• Wolf Livestock Loss Mitigation Act (“Wolf Kill Bill”) (S.2875): Reimburses ranchers whose animals are killed by wolves; improves wolf kill prevention measures. Included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22, Public Law No. 111-11).
• Preservation of the Second Amendment in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges Act (S.816): Allows law-abiding Americans to transport firearms through national parks. Included in the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-24).
• Cooperative Watershed Management Act (S.3085): Improves management of clean water resources through collaborative input from local stakeholders. Included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22, Public Law No. 111-11).
• East Bench Irrigation District water Contract Extension Act (S.997):Extends a contract for water services between the U.S. and the East Bench Irrigation District (Public Law No. 112-139).

ON THE SIDE OF CONSUMERS AND TAXPAYERS

• Amendment ending a $25/week bonus in government benefits, resulting in a savings of $6 billion for taxpayers: Part of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-312).
• Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2009(S.399): Prohibits credit card companies from unfairly changing terms on customers. Included in the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-24).
• No Pay Raise for Congress Act of 2012: Eliminates cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress during calendar year 2013. Included in the Fiscal Year2013 Continuing Appropriations Resolution (Public Law No. 112-175).
• Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2012: Allows small companies to sell as much as $50 million in shares without filing lengthy paperwork. Included in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (Public Law No. 112-106).

AGRICULTURE

• Biofuel Crop Insurance Pilot Program (S.1242): Established a crop insurance program for farmers who grow biofuel crops, such as camelina. Included in the Farm Bill of 2008 (Public Law No. 110-246).
• Amendment removing family farmers and small food producers from federal regulations they don’t need and can’t afford: Part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (Public Law No. 111-353).

RURAL AMERICA

• Amendment requiring Amtrak to examine the feasibility of restoring the North Coast Hiawatha route through southern Montana: Part of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (Public Law 110-432).
• Amendment guaranteeing at least 20 percent public health grants goes to rural communities: Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law No. 111-148).

INDIAN COUNTRY

• Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 (S.797): Improves law enforcement and prosecution of criminal activity in Indian Country. Public Law No. 111-211.
• Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 (S.375): Ratified the Crow Tribe’s longstanding water rights settlement. Included in the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 (Public Law No. 111-291).

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