Welcome to Tuesday!  Hang in there…I know it’s too early to talk about Friday coming in a few days, so I won’t…

Today on The Western Word I write about Montana and the C-130 mess, I analyze the new campaign commercials from Governor Candidate Rick Hill and U.S. Senator Jon Tester.  I also provide commentary about another glossy four-page flyer, I talk about someone being filthy rich, and I share the news about a Democratic congressional candidates forum being scheduled!  There’s more so read on…

C-130s:

If you followed me on Twitter (@TheWesternWord) you’ve already seen that there are a couple stories out there about keeping the C-130 cargo planes from being placed in Montana.

It does not look too promising no matter what the Montana Congressional delegation might say.

The Fresno Bee reported, “After three months of trying to persuade the Air Force not to transfer eight C-130 Hercules aircraft from Fort Worth to Great Falls, Mont., a House subcommittee appears ready to try to stop the move with legislation.”

Politico reported, “It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal.  Democratic Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus want to transfer eight C-130 Hercules transport planes from Fort Worth, Texas, to Great Falls, Mont., to help soften the blow of the Air Force pulling F-15 fighters out of Montana.  But that’s not how it’s played out.  The fate of this small C-130 unit has drawn in top lawmakers from at least four states.”

The clout is with Texas and the other states.  Montana may be left empty-handed.  If Montana loses all their planes, that should be a career ender for Senator Jon Tester, Congressman Denny Rehberg and Senator Max Baucus.  Sadly, Baucus has no clout in military issues.

Readers may remember when Tester, Baucus, and Rehberg all said they were against expanding the Powder River Air Training Complex in Southeastern Montana.  That decision irreparably harmed Montana from being “open for business” in regards to new military missions – especially air missions.

As I have written before, one of the three members of the Montana Congressional delegation should attempt to get a seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee which would at least give them a seat in the room when these critical decisions are made.

That would sure beat writing letters…

Hill Video:  Get the Job Done

The Rick Hill for Governor Campaign released their first campaign television ad called “Get the Job Done” which features Hill and people working.  Here’s the script:

Montana needs more jobs and better jobs

Conservative businessman Rick Hill

It’s not complicated.  Reduce regulations.  Prioritize spending and get government out of the way so businesses like this can grow.

Successful businessman tested conservative.  Rick Hill has met a payroll.  Created jobs and reduced government with a proven business approach.

Less government, lower taxes, more jobs.

Give us a shot; we’ll get the job done.

My Analysis:

This is Hill’s big push for the votes as the absentee ballots are hitting the mailboxes.  It is leaps and bounds better than previous videos from the Hill campaign.

-The ad brings back the conservative doctrine of “less government” and “lower taxes” which seems to have been shelved by some conservatives in recent years.

-The ad closes with the plea “Give us a shot; we’ll get the job done” which I liked.  It was a pretty strong closing.

-The light blue shirt that Hill always seems to wear is growing old; one would think Hill would own some other shirts that are different colors…

Tester Video:  Unprecedented Ethics & Accountability

U.S. Senator Jon Tester hit the airwaves once again with a new campaign television ad called “Jon Tester: Unprecedented Ethics & Accountability.”  This ad features former Congressman Pat Williams, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Sherry Matteucci, and teacher Cathy Kuntz.  Here is the script:

Jon Tester promised us he’d be a different kind of Senator.  And he is.

He’s a man of intelligence and integrity and his actions prove it every single day.

He posts his schedule online so we know who he’s meeting with.

He’s cracked down on lobbyists.  Refused their trips.

And has retired Montana judges conduct tough ethics audits to make sure he’s following his own rules.

See for yourself and you’ll know too:  Jon Tester’s working for Montana.  Every single day.

I’m Jon Tester and I approve this message.

The Analysis:

It is another well-done video from Jon Tester’s campaign – this time trying to remind voters of the promises made and promises kept while using a couple of well-known seasoned Democrats to bring home that point.

Frankly, it’s hard for me to view this commercial from the Tester campaign without laughing.  Jon Tester sold his “I am whiter than snow” ethics and lobbyist spin to the Montana media a few years ago and they continue to buy it today – but that is good for him during election season – and it’s something the Rehberg campaign has not been able to penetrate.

On his 2006 campaign website (Yes, I save everything), Jon Tester said he “won’t just pass a law; he’ll set an example — by asking a Montana judge to conduct an ethics audit of his office every year, by posting a list of every lobbyist he meets with and by shutting his door to former members and staffers who try to cash in on their connections.”

-The “ethics audit” promise lasted until year two of this six year term.  With year five of his term in the books; three ethics audits have been done.  Where are the other two?

-He did ask three Montana Judges (who have no idea how a senate office operates) to conduct the ethics audit; some even donated to his campaign.  These are hardly “independent” reviews.  He provided the Judges with the documents he wanted them to review.  The Montana media turned their heads…

-Jon Tester is the number one in the House and Senate in receiving lobbyist cash, period, which is about the only thing the Rehberg campaign has made slightly stick to Tester.

-Tester’s official schedule is posted a least a day late which does not allow constituents to know when he will next be in their area.  Tester’s trips around the country to fundraise are not disclosed to his Montana constituents.

-The closing of the video with all three people saying “Every single day” is a little awkward.

Democratic Congressional Candidates Forum:

In a Monday press release, “Rob Stutz, Democratic candidate for United States Congress, announced today that Stutz for Congress has organized a forum in Helena for Democratic congressional candidates.”

The forum will be held Saturday, May 19, 2012, 5:00 p.m. at Sheridan Hall, which is located at 501 Euclid in Helena.

Large and Glossy:

Apparently the campaigns of Scott Aspenlieder (for Montana Secretary of State) and Tim Fox (for Montana Attorney General) love to send four-page glossy flyers.  Maybe they have the same campaign manager who likes to waste money?

Republican Tim Fox who is running for Montana Attorney General Campaign sent primary voters a four-page 8.5″ by 11″ glossy flyer that arrived in mailboxes on Monday.  The front page shows Mr. Fox working hard with tie loosened, looking busy doing something that makes him look lawyerly.  In keeping with my custom to only show one page of the four, here’s the front page of the flyer:

As I said on Friday about the Aspenlieder flyer, “It was nicely done, but it was four freaking pages – way too long – and a waste of money…” – the same can be said about the Fox flyer.

Filthy Rich:

Being filthy rich has its perks.  But when you are probably the wealthiest candidate to ever run for President of the United States, it can present problems.  According to this story, GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was asked to explain his “over $1.5 million in foreign tax credits” he received since 2000.

He said he was “not familiar” with the tax credits which further shows Americans why Mitt Romney is out of touch with most of the working class people in this country.  Wouldn’t you love to have so much freaking money that you could not remember a measly $1.5 million in foreign tax credits?  Me too.

Follow the life and times of Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord