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By Dustin Hurst ǀ Watchdog.org
HELENA — Two outside groups are in full force in Montana’s U.S. Senate race, spending thousands of dollars on new negative ads against both candidates.
American Crossroads GPS attacks incumbent Democrat Jon Tester for supporting President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld.
Montana Hunters and Anglers Action knocks Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg for supporting a bill the group believes amounts to a “federal land grab.”
But, neither nonprofit offered much in the way of new attack lines.
Crossroads GPS is a Republican-backing outside group co-founded by former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove. The group continues to tie Tester to Obama, an unpopular figure in Montana politics.
The Crossroads GPS ad accuses Tester of voting against Montana’s interests, when he supported the 2010 national health-care law, commonly referred to as Obamacare.
“Instead of listening to Montanans, Tester supported Obamacare,” the ad says.
The spot mentions the oft-repeated claim that the health-care law cuts $500 million from Medicaid, a contested assertion. Critics say ACA cuts Medicare spending by half-a-trillion dollars through a 10-year process by creating efficiencies, cutting fraud and waste and squeezing providers.
Crossroads GPS plans to spend $100 million this election cycle.
Montana Hunters and Anglers Action is a left-wing group formed last year specifically to oppose Rehberg’s U.S. Senate bid. The group’s treasurer, Barrett Kaiser, worked for Tester’s 2006 campaign.
Kaiser also runs Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, a left-wing union front group also formed to attack Rehberg.
The group’s latest ad again attacks Rehberg for sponsoring House Resolution 1505, which gives the U.S. Department of Homeland Security domain over public lands within 100 miles of the northern and southern borders. Hunters and anglers say it could shut down recreational opportunities in Montana.
Rehberg maintains the legislation is necessary for national security and says he inserted language to protect Montana hunting and fishing opportunities.
The hunters and anglers groups is spending $350,0000 to air the spot, money provided by the League of Conservation Voters, a national nonprofit that advocates for environmental issues
One of Tester’s top donors, LCV members have pitched in more than $62,000 to Tester’s re-election bid.
