MT Dems Attack Burns In New Statewide Ad
Hoping to push Sen. Conrad Burns' Senate seat into more competitive territory, the Montana Democratic Party is up with a pre-Thanksgiving television ad lambasting Burns for his ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Several Dems, including state auditor John Morrison and state senate pres. Jon Tester (a farmer), are challenging Burns. It's hard to tell if the Abramoff fallout has hurt Burns in the state; this ad is but one suggestion that Dems do not believe it has yet to do so. While Burns's job approval rating is at an ebb for him (48% at last glance -- hardly stellar for an incumbent) -- polls show that Burns remains personally popular -- even Dem polls suggest that about half of voters have an "excllent" or "good" impression of him -- so the key task for Dems in the state is to raise his negatives over the next six months.
Morrison and Tester, relatively unknown to voters at this early stage, are likely to train their fire at Burns, rather than at each other, although a spirited primary in this state with a new, spirited Dem governor is assured.[MARC AMBINDER]
Narrator:
"Almost 200,000 women work in Montana. But local newspapers report that Senator Burns told a working mother concerned about losing her job to outsourcing that she could just stay home with the kids."
"Burns doesn't get that staying at home won't pay the bills."
"And what is Burns up to?"
"He's taken thousands from Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, now indicted for fraud and conspiracy."
"Tell Burns to work for Montana's working families, not indicted lobbyists."
"The Montana Democratic Party is responsible for the content of this ad.