Tester calls on Democrats to get out the vote

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock, Montana Attorney General, addresses the audience during Tuesday's Democratic rally at the Atrium.

Montana's Democratic U. S. Sen. Jon Tester, along with Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Attorney General Steve Bullock, fired up the troops in Havre Tuesday. Tester called on party faithful to rally voters to cast a ballot in the Nov. 6 election that includes his race against Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.

"If we win this race, there's been tens of millions of dollars spent already just on me. I'm not even talking about Bullock, " Tester said. "The bottom line is, how do you fend that off? Shoe leather … you win elections with shoe leather. You've got to get our folks out to vote. "

Both Tester and Bullock said the choices in their elections are black and white.

Tester said he expected that all attending Monday's rally in the Atrium Mall are going to vote.

"But more important than that … get your neighbors to do it. Get your relatives to do it, and talk to them about this race, " he said. "It is critically important. There is a massive red line between myself and my opponent. "

Tester said, for example, veterans in the crowd know the work he has done for that group. In comparison, he referenced a vote by Rehberg against sending a bill back to committee to add $28 million to research on prosthetics for military veterans.

He also said the two are contrasted on their stances on women being able to make their own health care decisions, sportsman's issues, infrastructure, Social Security, Medicare, supporting working families and making sure a Farm Bill is in place.

"The list goes on and on and on, " Tester said.

Bullock made similar comments, on his own race and on Tester's race.

"Here's a guy who wants to get things done …, " he said of Tester. "I mean, when you look at what Jon Tester's done just in the last six years and compare it with what Dennis Rehberg in his lifetime. … Congressman Rehberg … could list his accomplishments on Jon's left hand. "

Bullock said the difference also are stark on the state level, including in local legislative races.

"You know what, this is what it's about, " he said. "Jon said some things on the federal level, the same is true in Montana. "

Bullock said if people want their hunting and fishing and recreation access preserved, the public schools strengthened, women able to make their own decisions on health care issues, "we need to make sure we have the governor's mansion. …

"It's talking to people that will make the difference, " Bullock added. "I'm not going to wake up the day after the election saying, 'If only I had done a little more. ' I know Jon's not going to wake up the day after the election saying, 'If only I had done a little more. '

"Making sure everybody gets out to vote, you talking to your friends, your neighbors, your relatives … saying this election matters, and we can make a difference, " Bullock said.

See also: Rehberg spokesman: Tester comments 'dishonest and pathetic'