Washblog

Dear Friends,

You did this. Thanks to your dedication, hard work and support, yesterday we surged to victory in the Montana Democratic Primary.

They're still adding up results, but one thing is clear: Conrad Burns' days in the Senate are numbered.

Conrad Burns tally yesterday was the worst primary election performance by an incumbent U.S. Senator in over two decades.

Nearly 108,000 Montanans voted the Democratic ticket yesterday-more than any other Democratic primary since 1994 and nearly 11,000 more than the Republicans this year.

It's a decisive victory for Democrats, and a clear message to Conrad Burns and his lobbyist cronies that Montanans are tired of his kind of politics.

I'm excited.

by Belltowner on Wed Jun 07, 2006 at 11:26:11 PM PST

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Francine Busby's loss in the race to replace Duke Cunningham (CA-50) is a disappointment.

But Tester winning the primary in Montana is fantastic. I'm really excited by what's happening in Montana these days.

Crispin Thurlow and David David covered this phenomenon in their "Talking American" workship. Showed why it works. Gov Schweitzer and candidate Tester speak to principles and they keep the message simple without making it stupid.

Again, really exciting stuff.

by zappini on Thu Jun 08, 2006 at 07:44:42 AM PST

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I was born and raised in MT during the Mike Mansfield era when the state was solidly blue for years and years.

These days, by and large, Montana voters are pretty independent. Before people get all excited and relate Tester's good showing to something akin to Gov. Schweitzer's win there, everyone needs to know that the Gov./Lt. Gov. run as a set in MT.  Schweitzer picked a Republican as his Lt. Gov. running mate and that is one of the reasons he won.

That said, it is great that Tester did so well...and that the number of MT voters voting for Democratic candidates outnumbered those voting for the Republicans.  Maybe Sirota is right and the tide is truly turning.

by Cherisse on Thu Jun 08, 2006 at 11:55:18 AM PST

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