I remember back in 1999 when the 2000 State Auditor's primary was shaping up. Convential wisdom said that Rep. David Ewer and Senator Spook Stang were wasting their time against Morrison in the primary as he would spend "whatever it takes" to win. He did and he did win, but he only outspent Ewer by $30K and Stang by $85K. In the GOP primary, Rep. Bruce Simon spent $38K but lost to Joyce Schmidt who only spent a hundred and sixty bucks.

Morrison's plan back then was to spend "whatever it took" and it didn't take that much.

It really doesn't take that much to saturate Montana. Already, Jon Tester has raised twice as much as Morrison's "whatever it takes" number. Even though this is a senate seat, the primary victor is only going to need three or four times the votes that Cegelis received yesterday. And like the Illinois race, the Montana bloggers have been quite clear that this is a race Tester can win (latest here.

I was thinking all of this today when I received an email from Tester with the subject I'm In. It read, in part:

Yesterday, officially filed for the U.S. Senate race--to bring Montana values back to the U.S. Senate.

I'm running because the values we share in towns like Big Sandy are missing from our nation's capital. Honesty, integrity, basic equality and fairness are absent in a political process controlled by insider politicians and corporate lobbyists. Politicians like Tom DeLay and Conrad Burns work for lobbyists like Jack Abramoff--instead of their real bosses--the people who elected them.

It was a big step for Sharla and me yesterday. But you can make this an even bigger step by showing the press and pundits that Montanans are committed to sending Montana values back to Washington, D.C. Next Friday marks the final fundraising deadline of the primary season. Your contribution today can send a loud message that we're in this fight together:

http://www.testerforsenate.com/contribut e/

The campaign has caught fire in the last couple of weeks. Our fundraising and field programs are moving forward, and we're seeing that momentum in the polls. I was the only candidate not to lose ground in the latest poll from Rasmussen Reports--and, with 46 percent, I've pulled ahead of Conrad Burns, 46 percent to 43 percent, in the March poll.

Tester is a straight talker, who gets stuff done, can win in November and make us as proud as we are of Gov. Schweitzer. Here what the Billings Gazette said in a story on his filing:

Tester lashed out at Burns for his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

"Conrad Burns' reign of corruption is coming to an end," Tester said. "I look forward to bringing Montanans the kind of leadership we want and deserve."

Accomplishments outlined
Tester cited his role helping Gov. Brian Schweitzer deliver on an ambitious 2005 legislative agenda that included prescription drugs for seniors who need it, an energy plan to lessen dependence on foreign oil, better funding for schools and economic incentives to create jobs in Montana, all without a tax increase. [...]

A primary election gives a party a chance to put out its best candidate for the general election, Tester said. He likes his chances in November because he won from a Republican legislative district.

"I've shown the kind of leadership in the Montana Senate that gets things done," Tester said. "I've got a proven track record. So that's the major difference."

With two and a half months before the election, we have plenty of time to make a huge difference in this race. Tester winning the primary keeps the Montana Miracle going and if enough people come together we can be his voice, knowing he will be our voice in the Senate. Yes, an actual voice for people instead of big contributors with a campaign that excites the grassroots instead of tries to spend enough money to beat the grassroots.

Tester closed his email by saying:

Growing up on a farm, I learned to work hard, have faith, love our country, and support my family and community.

These are the lessons we all teach our children. And it's a message Montana can teach America.

As I said in my filing yesterday, I may not look like the rest of the U.S. Senate. But maybe it's time that the rest of the Senate looked a little more like Montana.

Maybe Montana can also teach some lessons to the Democratic Party. I think this is too important of an opportunity to miss. On election night, I don't want to be left wondering "what if" as the results slowly come in.