Politico: Montana Senate race most-competitive as 2012 nears
In the final Senate Monthly 10 of 2011 — stacking up the most competitive contests in the country — Montana climbs to the top slot…
Montana ends 2011 at the top of the heap after a third Public Policy Polling survey found Reps. Jon Tester and Denny Rehberg separated by just 2 points. Despite fluctuations in their approval ratings, the two well-known delegation members have essentially fought to a tie. Seeking even the slightest advantage, both sides have attempted to seize on incremental developments. Earlier this month, Rehberg tried to capitalize on Tester’s decision to cancel a New York City fundraiser with the League of Conservation Voters during the Keystone XL pipeline debate. Two weeks later, Tester called Rehberg’s vote against a payroll tax extension “crazy,” while the state Democratic Party slapped Rehberg with an ethics complaint over office mailings. While a pair of private surveys delivered mixed results, no public poll has shown the needle budging significantly in one direction, making this the toughest Senate race in the country to call.
