(Conrad) Burns raises almost $6M for campaign

[Judi Lynn]

Burns raises almost $6M for campaign
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA -- Republican U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns' re-election campaign has raised $5.94 million through March 31, or more than he collected during his entire campaign in 2000, according to his campaign-finance report released Monday.

Burns also appears well on pace to shatter the Montana campaign fundraising record of $6.7 million raked in by Democratic Sen. Max Baucus in 2002.

In his latest report filed with the Federal Election Commission, Burns reported raising $943,299 over the past three months and spending nearly as much, or $938,961.

His campaign has run a series of statewide television and radio ads over the three-month period, firing back at Democrats for attacking him over his connections to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and telling how Burns has secured more than $2 billion in federal spending for Montana since 1989.
(snip/...)

Published on Monday, April 17, 2006.
Last modified on 4/17/2006 at 6:16 pm

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/04/17/news/state/34-burns.txt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Burns, Dole make campaign stop
By BECKY BOHRER - Associated Press Writer - 04/14/06

BILLINGS — Sen. Conrad Burns asked Republican activists and supporters to stand with him in his re-election bid, saying the campaign will be tough and that ‘‘we’ve got to get above partisan politics.’’

‘‘This election’s not going to be about Conrad Burns. It’s going to be about you,’’ he told dozens of people gathered at his campaign headquarters Thursday, with North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a fellow Republican, at his side.

Dole, who called Burns a ‘‘great senator’’ and man of integrity, pledged the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Dole is chairwoman of that committee, which is charged with helping elect, or re-elect, Republicans to the U.S. Senate.

Burns faces a primary challenge, with state Sen. Bob Keenan of Bigfork the most prominent among the contenders. Dole said money would be allocated to races at points in which it would make the most difference — and that would come after the primary.
(snip/...)

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/04/14/montana/a10041406_02.txt

Please take a moment to note the great Conrad Burns advertisement to the right of the Helena Independent Record article, sponsored by the Montana Democratic Party!

[napi21]

1. Well, if the predictions are right, he'll need it for legal expenses!

Seems that all the talking heads I've heard are betting Burns is the un-named Senator who will be going to jail for his relationship with Abramoff.

[leesa]

3. But Elizabeth Dole said he had "great integrity" and he said he just

to get past a little patch of bad partisan politics. You MUST be mistaken!

The GOP sure love their criminals.

[napi21]

4. Yea, and they said similar things about DeLay BEFORE he quit!

We'll see what happens in the next month or so. BTW, those same supporters were saying DeLay already had debt due to legal expenses, and the real action hasn't even started yet!

[madmark]

9. bingo

[lyonn]

2. Are not politics fun?!

Imagine spending that kind of money for a campaign in Montana. Is there a million people living there? Course that money isn't coming from Montana, a Senator is a Senator, it's the votes in Congress that count. Calif. 2 senators, Montana 2. When you are fighting for over 50% in the Senate you get boo koos(?) of money from places you hadn't thought of!

[Kolesar]

5. beau coups money and I bet it's from the energy industry

Not that I bothered to check.
I still remember that Spicoli line from Fast Times at Ridgemont High :hi:

[warrens]

6. From what I've heard, it's not just Dems in Montana after him

It's a very populist state, with a lot of popular Dems. A lot of Burns voters aren't going to be there for him this year.

[Zynx]

7. What the hell can you spend $6 million on in Montana?

Isn't TV time there dirt cheap?

[pinerow]

8. He can use the money raised during a campaign as a

legal defense fund...just like Delay...:wtf:

[janx]

10. I love it!

:rofl:

[AlecBGreen]

11. LOL

"Burns has secured more than $2 billion in federal spending for Montana since 1989. "

And his pro-business anti-environment voting has caused 10 times that in damage. Go piss up a flagpole.