Thanks For Nothin'

While the rest of the Democratic favoring websites in Montana complete the evisceration of Conrad Burns, started by Jon Tester during yesterday's debate, I figured I'd best take out the broadaxe for a bit of light pruning on our side.

This morning, while getting ready for work, I had a chance to see the new TV ad which purports to defend Jon Tester against the hollow accusations of the Republicants.  I missed catching who funded that advert, though I do know it wasn't from the Tester campaign, but I have one thing to say about whoever wrote it, and those who authorized it's airing:

Fire them, immedeately.  Not next week, not next month; Fire them right fricking now.  They are incompetent in the context of this campaign.

You know that Monty Python skit where the guy goes in to purchase an argument, and ends up in a shouting match of:  No it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, it certainly is, nope no it isn't.  Yeah, the commercial is kinda like that.

The Republicants have accused Jon Tester of having liberal values.  Their examples are laughable:  supposedly, Jon Tester favors gay marriage, flag burning, and higher taxes.  The rational response to these allegations is complete laughter, followed by a sound thrashing of the stupidity behind the claims.  The way one goes about that thrashing is to show that Jon's record is clear; he accepts the Montana amendment concerning gay marriage and opposes federal mandate being superimposed upon it, he favors the First amendment over meaningless time wasting amendments that would help us mirror Cuba and Iran concerning our flag, and the lies about his stance on taxation are just that, lies.  Jon favors fiscal responsibility over Conrad's drunken-sailor debt based spending.  This is the message one gets from Tester when one bothers to listen to him.  This is the message that has been carried forth by the Montana bloggers who favor Jon Tester over Porky Pig Burns.  To say these things would have made an effective commercial.

But that isn't what's airing.  What is presented to the public in that ad is a whole lot of "No he doesn't!  Jon thinks marriage is what the Republicans call it, and Jon doesn't want flag-burning, and Jon thinks taxes are icky and should be lowered!  Neener, Neener!"  It's really kind of pathetic because it insults the intelligence of it's viewers, and in my opinion, insults Jon Tester.

Whoever wrote that advert clearly forgets that a candidates personal beliefs often must be tempered if that person actually cares about representing the voting constituency.  It may indeed be true that Jon Tester personally believes that "marriage" is between a man and a woman.  I don't care what the hell he believes for himself, and I'd bet that most of Montana is with me.  What matters to the voters is whether or not he believes that the Congress should waste time defining a word such that rights are denied to some.  Personally, I find flag burning kind of annoying as a means of protest; flag signing by half-baked rock start wannabees is even worse.  I'm certain that Tester finds it kind of stupid too.  That isn't the fricking point.  The point is, will Jon Tester support wasting time and money to support Republicants in their quest to deny us our rights to free speech.  I guess that was just a small subtlety wasted on the idiots who wrote and authorized this dick-waving excuse of an ad.

Let's face it, Jon Tester doesn't need help from those who will whine on his behalf.  If he's got something to say, I trust that he'll say it.  If I don't like it, then too bad for me.  But the last thing I'm going to accept is some half-assed whining on Jon's behalf, that appears for all the world as if Jon wouldn't agree with it.

So, to those out there who find themselves so clever in imagining that they can speak for Montana or for Jon Tester, I hope you find yourselves fired in the morning.  Seriously, I desire your unemployment.  I want you kicked out, because you really don't understand what the hell you're doing.  Hopefully, you'll learn from this and go on.  Regardless, you need the boot, the pink slip, the grand "adios".  Quit your day job, and go back to writing the great American fantasy novel, because you are no help here.  Thanks for nuthin'.

To those who have voted before for Jon Tester, I ask that you ignore the ignorant and listen to the man.  You may like him, you may not.  That's what a grassroots campaign is all about.  When they push, we push back harder.  We don't fall on our butts and wail "liar!" between tears.  We look for the truth.  The truth is, the Republicants have nothing, so they will come up with meaningless attacks the likes of which we've no reason to respond to.  Responding petulantly is the worst way to proceed.  I hope that those who are deserving of unemployment, those associated with this stupid advertisement,  will see that ... eventually.

Comments

[Justin]

I think Tester is a perfect example of the difference between "Democrats", and "Montana Democrats". From what I've seen of him, I'd vote for him long before I'd vote for you know who. I think Tester has the testicles to stand up to the Washington Liberals and do a damn good job representing Montana. Tester has the testicles, hey, that could be a good campaign slogan!

I could give a rat's ass about gay marriage, I don't care if someone burns a flag as long as they own it, and all politicians will raise taxes eventually. The question isn't IF they'll raise them, it's WHEN. The true test is who they raise them on, and what they do with the money when they get it.

[Mark]

The Democrats are doing their Democratic thing now, mealy-mouthing thier way to another loss. Looks as if Burns will die in office - maybe he already has. He looks like it.

[Reality Check]

Values are everything. Maybe Tester has some but his party has none. Tough break for your guy.

[Jen. That Jen]

The way I see it - couldn't hurt. Really. I have had three Republicans come up to me this past week to tell me to communicate to the Montana Democratic Party that they liked the response to Conrad's ad, because they thought Conrad's ad was silly.

These are folks who will vote for Tester. They were not swayed by the new ad, but it made them a little happier to be voting for Tester. This is the audience, whether we like it or not.

[Eric Coobs]

I laughed too, when the ad said that Tester favors lower taxes. He never saw a tax he didn't like! But I think the reason that the national Democrats came up with this ad, is because they are worried (rightly so) that Montana voters will see Tester as a liberal. You know, the dreaded 'L' word. I think the catch phrase 'Conservative Haircut, Liberal values' is still ringing in their ears, and they don't like it.

[Wulfgar]

That's right Eric. Keep telling yourself that.

Heh.

[Eric Coobs]

I'm agreeing with you, and you say keep telling myself that? Why?

[Rocky Smith]

I thought all the ads sucked eggs. The fake barber was the biggest loser though. The response ad was no gem either. I still find myself wishing for a third option. Burns will likely vote the way I want in most cases, but he has some questions to answer about Abramoff (and I've never been a fan of his). Tester will likely not vote the way I'd like and I find him unimpressive too. I think he'd support ending Bush's tax cuts which have spurred the economy. I doubt he would support the conservative judges that I think are vital to fixing some of the problems we have today. Tester tries to sound more conservative, and in line with Montana values, but it looks like a smokescreen to me. Maybe I'll write in Porky pig. Neither party is shy about spending, so he fits.