The Morrison Campaign: Getting Shrill in the Last Few Days

I just received this e-mail from the Morrison campaign this evening. No, the "Fact Check" was not attached. Signed by State Senator Jeff Mangan, Larry Anderson. and Matt Thiel, the letter lays out the case why I should vote for John Morrison, including this passage:

John Morrison’s campaign has the momentum in this race. And the clearest indication of that momentum? The non-stop attacks from Jon Tester. It’s disappointing to see Jon Tester resort to these tactics, and it’s up to us to fight back and make sure we come together to focus on beating Conrad Burns in November.

This past Sunday, a Mason Dixon poll showed that John Morrison is the strongest Democratic candidate to beat Conrad Burns in November. Even after months of nothing but false, negative attacks from Jon Tester, Montanans know that John Morrison has the common sense solutions to bring everyday Montanans together to get the job done.

A few thoughts come to mind.

First of all, no slight intended to Mr. Anderson and Mr. Thiel, but couldn’t the Morrison campaign come up with a few more recognizable names? Maybe not, since the vast majority of the legislature, a seemingly large percentage of John Morrison’s former staffers, and his former boss all see that Jon Tester is the best choice for the Democrats.

Second, what negative attacks? If Mr. Morrison thinks the Tester campaign has been negative, what in the hell will he do once the huge Burns warchest is deployed to investigate his past indiscretions and promote them to the public? This letter absolutely proves that John Morrison cannot withstand the kind of campaign that Montana’s GOP will bring against him.

It also shows that his lack of integrity goes deeper than we have seen. To suggest that Jon Tester  has employed ‘false, negative’ and ‘non-stop’ attacks, suggests that Mr. Morrison is a coward and a liar. Before anyone is tempted to believe the Morrison spin, ask yourself what another candidate might have done with the infidelity and impropriety in Morrison’s past.

Finally, the letter comes at an interesting time. In my mind this evening, I was playing around with the idea of what I will do if John Morrison does win Tuesday–because it is going to be close. This letter makes it pretty clear that John Morrison is not the kind of candidate or person I can support–sure I might vote for him, because anyone is better than  Burns, but that’s all I will do.

One thing I do believe: win or lose, Jon Tester will be out campaigning, for himself or Morrison. Does anyone really believe that Morrison would do the same?

Update: And momentum? Who are they kidding?

Tagged as: Democratic Party, John Morrison, Senate Race 2006

Article by Don Pogreba

Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.