Maybe you caught the full-page advertisements in your local newspaper that read, “Tell Senator Tester to stand with Montana consumers and merchants” or maybe the one that read, “Well, Senator Tester, Here’s your study” and maybe thought they should not start campaigning so early.

The local newspapers sure enjoy those full-page ads…

But these ads were not about Tester’s upcoming Senate campaign; they are about a bill Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) sponsored (S.575) that would study the impact of the swipe fee regulation and delay its implementation for two years.

Yep, another study from the Feds…

Some folks say the junior senator from Montana is just “carrying the water” for the big banks, but he does have some bipartisan support for his bill – as big banking touches many lives (not to mention campaigns) on Capitol Hill. His bill has 13 co-sponsors ranging from GOP Sen. Tom Coburn to Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka. Montana’s other senator, Max Baucus, is a co-sponsor.

Although this is not exactly about Tester’s campaign, it means big bucks from the banks to his campaign if he carries their water. Continue reading →