Battle for the Big Sky ― Representation and the Politics of Place in the Race for the Us Senate

Political science professor and recent Montanan, Parker presents his up-close-and-personal perspective on the 2012 Montana Senate campaign that pitted Republican Denny Rehberg against Democratic Jon Tester with the latter ultimately the victor, as he shows the real consequences of representational activities undertaken by members of Congress and demonstrates how campaigns matter. He provides the background necessary to understand Montana politics, the cast of characters, Rehberg and Tester’s pre-campaign relationship, and recounts how Tester overcame significant barriers to win reelection. There are 10 chapters: why what happened in Montana won’t stay in Montana; Montana: the last, best place?; Jon Tester’s creating a buzz; Denny Rehberg: a man in a hurry; representational style: how Congressman Rehberg and Senator Tester govern; campaigning in a Citizens United world: the early days of the race; what voters know, how they decide, and when campaigns matter; the message matters: the politics of personality and issues; the end game; lessons learned. Annotation c2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)