'06 Netroots favorite Jon Tester has picked sides in Montana's Democratic three-way primary for the U.S. House, sending an email out to his supporters, encouraging them to give to Jim Hunt (who also happens to be the only Montana contender to endorse the Responsible Plan):

You and I know what it's like to be the underdog.  Two years ago, when the pundits and political establishment dismissed our campaign, we didn't blink.  We took them on by building a grassroots network and speaking out about the issues that matter.  And on election night, we surprised a whole bunch of folks.

This year, we can surprise a whole bunch of folks again.  We can send another real Montanan to bring real change to the U.S. House of Representatives.

And now, Mason-Dixon confirms that Burns is closing. They just polled the race at:

Tester 46 (47)
Burns  43 (40)

As Matt Stoller has pointed out, the next great fights over the future of the Internet won't be in Congress, but in the 50 states. The fights won't just be over net neutrality, but about broadband access, municipal wireless, and whether the Internet will be a public infrastructure like roads and sewers or a private infrastructure dedicated only to making profits for the telcos who control it.

The upcoming legislative sessions in 2007 will be a key battle over the future of the Internet. And make no mistake, the telecom companies and their rightwing allies are well-prepared for this fight. In state after state, the Telcos have launched campaigns to prohibit municipal wireless. And they're prepared with a mix of industry-funded think tanks, legislators, lobbyists, and astroturf organizations to bring the fight again on issues ranging from muni wi-fi to universal access laws.

Fortunately, progressives also have a great opportunity. Like renewable energy, broadband expansion is an issue that can create new coalitions, provide a positive agenda, and unite our base if tackled properly.

Yesterday, after spending the day at work, I reviewed historical turnout numbers. I spoke with a friend about the size of the two paid media operations. I felt like vomiting. I was terrified, terrified because despite how things felt like they were going, I've seen too many victories slip away.

That was before I hit the phones.

With only 31 hours until the polls close here in Montana, there is a lot of buzz. Within the past two weeks, Jon Tester's campaign has picked up incredible momentum. A week ago, a new poll showed us within a single point of John Morrison (in January, one poll showed Morrison winning 39-20). Everyone knows we've got the momentum. You can feel it in the conversations with voters on the doors and on the phones. You can see it on the letters pages in newspapers where Tester is racking up endorsements from former Morrison supporters and former Morrison staff, as well as grassroots Montanans.

It's in the air: Jon Tester is on his way to victory.

Campaign finance records make it appear that the DSCC is now helping John Morrison raise money, even though most Montana observers now agree that he's not the best candidate to win the general election. Details after the jump.

UPDATE: Apparently there are multiple offices in this building. This committee is a lawyers outfit.

But if there was ever a time when you've got believe, the time is now. Because Jon Tester, a prairie populist in the mold of Tom Harkin, Byron Dorgan, and Brian Schweitzer, is now poised to win the Democratic primary just one week from today. But he still needs your help.

So tough, in fact, that only one remains: Jon Tester.

Now it seems clear that there is more to this than originally appeared. Montana reporter John Adams explains "Why the Morrison Affair Matters (Hint: It's not the Adultery)" in yesterday's Missoula Independent. The article is a bombshell, exposing how State Auditor John Morrison apparently gave favorable treatment and failed to distance himself from the investigation, negotiations, and enforcement of his office's own agreements with this scoundrel.

--Jon Tester

Finally, someone saying that no matter what reform gets passed that it is time for Senators to simply take responsibility and clean up their own offices.

Jon Tester released an ethics pledge. It's not simply legislation he'd like to get signed, but a promise to run a cleaner office if elected.

Get the details on Tester's ethics pledge and his agenda for a cleaner agenda after the jump.

We've had Bill Frist's AIDS charity that spent one in nine of its dollars on Frist's inner circle of advisors.

We've had Jack Abramoff's Capital Athletic Fund, an organization dedicated (in name only) to helping get young people involved in sports. Less than 1% of its budget went to such activities.

Tom DeLay had his faux children's charity that was probably funded by another sham Abramoff charity.

And Conrad Burns has the Inland Northwest Space Association (INSA) and the U.S.-Asia Network.

The answer is simple. We just need a candidate.

Saw this idea in the comment thread, thought it was a good one.

The Montana Republicans publish a weekly newsletter called the E-Brief. The document has proven laughable and occasionally divisive. In recent weeks, they've taken to attacking progressive Montana bloggers like David Sirota and me.

But this week, they've sunk further, by attacking Brian Schweitzer's dog.

This week, we've spoken a lot about Jon Tester's integrity, his character, and his ability to get things done. We told you about his backbone when it comes to human rights, when it comes to standing up against sexual and domestic violence. We told you about his foresight on pesticide issues and farm economics. Heck, we didn't even get to his leadership on conservation issues or rural economic development (we need something to use in the third quarter fundraising push). But there's another question we haven't yet addressed fully: Can Jon Tester win?

Given that this has been the strongest criticism of the man, it only seems right that we address it. So let's all say it together, Jon Tester will beat Conrad Burns. And that, as they say, is a good thing.