Morrison, Tester: Do We Know These Guys?
By Dana Green, 5-31-06
As the June 6 primary draws closer, do Democratic voters really know Jon Tester and John Morrison?Most people–pundits, voters, even the candidates themselves–don’t really think so.
In recent press on the U.S. Senate race, with the primary only days away, both Tester and Morrison have made healthcare the keynote in their campaigns. Tester has called for universal health care, particularly for Montana’s uninsured children. Morrison has supported expanding the current system, focusing on small businesses.
Despite important policy at stake, it is the differences in style between the two–Tester’s down-to-earth, no-nonsense attitude and his flat-top hairstyle; Morrison’s Clintonesque charm–that voters seem to be stuck with.
Tuesday, Tester called for Morrison to debate one last time so voters can hear the differences between the two candidates.
"Montana voters deserve to hear from both of us as much as they can so they can elect the best Democrat to take on Senator Conrad Burns this fall," Tester stated in a Tuesday press release. "Voters want to hear from us directly. That’s the way our democracy works best."
The two candidates haven’t met onstage since a series of debates held earlier in the spring. Both men were in a statistical dead heat in the latest Lee Newspapers poll.
Hopefully, a reluctant Morrison will hear the call and take to the stage, so Montana voters can choose between candidates–and not hairstyles–during this year's important primary vote.
To get candidates' sound bites on major issues, see the Tester and Morrison campaign Web sites here.
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Comment By Don McDonald, 6-01-06John Morrison shepherded Insure Montana through its infancy. The program fills a big hole of small-business operators who could not afford to offer Health Insurance to their employees and their families. No one in the race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Conrad Burns can match the success of enrolling 611 businesses providing health insurance for more than 3000 employees. When it is up and fully running, it will cover 1200 small businesses and 6000 Montanans. That is the kind of solutions of a problem that the people of Montana expect and deserve. Morrison stepped up to the plate and hit a home run, on a playing field where others had struck out. John delivers, and thinks outside of the box, and he brings creative thinking to his job instead of wringing his hands and saying that it cannot be done in a huge rural State. Morrison will bring that same fresh approach to the problems that the rank and file Montanans face on a daily basis, and he will deliver from Washington as your Senator.
Vote for Morrison next tuesday you hold the key to the future of Montana in your hands when you cast your vote, make it count.
The biggest weapon against Burns in November is going to be integrity. Regardless of any issues Morrison is going to have a big capital "A" for adultery stuck all over him by Burns' campaign. Why send a guy to campaign with the best weapon "integrity" has been taken away.
Unless Tester has some big time dirt back in the closet somewhere he has a much better chance at using the most powerful weapon against Burns in November. That said I suspect Morrison is going to be a better operator in Washington than Tester.