(MT Sen Maj leader, Dem) Tester, Pearl Jam bassist stump in Missoula

After 45 minutes of snaking through Missoula traffic, a large gray tractor-trailer parked at the University of Montana's College of Technology on Wednesday afternoon. The driver, U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester, emerged promising to stand up for Main Street Montana.

A former music teacher, Tester, 48, has been on a state tour promoting his candidacy for U.S. Senate since Tuesday.

The tour began in his hometown of Big Sandy. He has driven through Havre, Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Butte and, finally, Missoula.

Tester said his campaign will focus on issues that affect the overlooked populations in the state, namely the middle class and American Indians.

(Originally in the Missoulian, but the link is to the Helena IR, xuz that's where I am.)
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/05/26/montana/a07052605_02.txt

Looks like there's three right now lining up to take on Burns in 06. Gotta get to work on that!
KJ

The truck's pretty funny, on the back it says:

"Tester for U.S. Senate.

You're behind the right guy!"



I liked the way Jon did not allow Sally to bait him into attacking Morrison.

His focus was on agriculture and small business. He really stressed his background -- as he should, it's his strong suit. As for the farm, he said he will run it this summer and his daughter and son-in-law will take over next year... the fourth generation farming the original homestead... yeah, that's impressive.

Interestingly, he did not mention the name Abramoff... when asked about Burns he just talked about his AMTRAK and farm votes...

Now I know to come prepared with some softball questions to lob... he asked for questions repeatedly, in hindsight I wish I'd just asked him about the Abramoff scandal - the cameras were rolling = that way he can talk about it without having to bring it up...

I was hoping to see him here in Helena. I met him down at a bar during the legislative session and chatted with him a little. Really nice guy.

Thanks for reporting!!!
KJ