IR State Bureau

HELENA -Using the Internet, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester turned up the heat Friday against Republican Sen. Conrad Burns for his ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, now a confessed felon.

Tester, president of the Montana Senate, launched an Internet advertisement that disputed Burns’ own statements on a television spot this week in which Burns sought to distance himself from Abramoff. Tester, a Big Sandy farmer, has this Web site: htpp://www.testerforsenate.com.

“It’s a Web-based ad that hopefully we’ll run on the air,” said Tester’s spokesman, Bill Lombardi.

Burns’ ad may be seen at http://www.conradburns.com.

Meanwhile, another Democratic candidate, state Auditor John Morrison, unveiled his “Boot Burns” Web site at: http://www.bootburns.com. The Morrison site details numerous allegations against Burns related to Abramoff with links to news stories about them.

Besides Tester and Morrison, Democrats Paul Richards of Boulder and Clint Wilkes are running for the Senate. Burns faces primary opposition from Bob Kelleher of Butte.

Tester’s Web ad is a 60-second spot that shows footage of Burns talking in his own ad, saying: “I don’t know who Jack Abramoff influenced, but he never influenced me.”

In response, Tester’s ad says Burns “isn’t telling the truth” about his relationship with Abramoff. Burns said he met with Abramoff once, but Tester’s ad, citing an Associated Press story, said Burns’ office met with Abramoff “and his friends eight times.”

Although Burns said he hadn’t raised the most money from Abramoff, his colleagues and their tribal members, Tester’s ad said Burns did raise the most of anyone in Congress—$136,500.

The Tester ad tells how Burns “changed his vote for an offshore outsourcing center” in the Mariana Islands after getting $12,000 in donations from Abramoff and his clients.

Tester’s ad quotes Burns saying he is the victim of “politics, the worst kind of politics,” a reference to Democratic attacks on him.

“Montanans deserve better,” Tester’s ad quotes Burns saying.

“Actually, he’s right about that,” the Tester ad says. “There’s a culture of cronyism in Washington, D.C. That has to end.”

The ad shows a picture of Tester, describing him as “a third generation farmer” who “still knows ‘bull’ when he sees it.”

In response, Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, fired back at Tester.

“It’s unfortunate that Jon Tester would join the political hacks in Montana who have recklessly attacked Senator Burns’ good name for the last several months,” Nick said. “Admitted law breaker Jon Tester joins the Democrat chorus of hypocrisy on the subject of ethics.”

Nick was referring to a Bozeman Chronicle news story in June 2005 in which Tester and Morrison admitted they used automated phone message systems to call people at home to solicit campaign contributions. State law prohibits political campaigns from making these so-called “robo-calls” and violators can be fined up to $2,500.

Although Democratic Attorney General Mike McGrath said these automated calls are against the law, both Tester and Morrison contend the law is unconstitutional, although neither has challenged the law in court.

Morrison’s “Boot Burns” Web site doesn’t feature any Web ads, but lists categories such as “Blockbusters and Barnburners” and “Highlights and Lowlifes,” with links to news stories about Burns and Abramoff.

Burns has maintained he did nothing wrong and is not under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for his connections with Abramoff.

The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and Washington Times, all citing anonymous sources, have all said Burns is under investigation.