Back on November 4, The Western Word (TWW) compiled a list of the 10 most vulnerable Senators up for re-election in 2012. My research and the subsequent story received plenty of attention, plus many hits on this website.

Since then, several newspapers, political websites, and blogs have followed that up with their own stories – sometimes using information first disclosed here at TWW.

Last Sunday, the Great Falls Tribune chimed in with their version running this story: “Tester high on GOP’s hit list, observers say.”

On the web version of the story, the Tribune showed a photo of Jon Tester “on his farm near Big Sandy.” I did not see the symbolic tractor in the photo…

The Tribune, in their ever-reaching attempt to make some coin, placed this little Editor’s note after a few paragraphs of the story on their website: “This exclusive story is available only to the Tribune’s print and e-paper customers.”

Exclusive? Fortunately, I subscribe to the dead tree version of the Tribune. I also recycle it. That last sentence is for my green friends…

Observations from the Tribune story:

Tester’s spokesman said his boss “is focused” “on creating jobs, cutting spending…” blah, blah, blah. Continue reading →