Burns touts Montana's 'new direction'

Embattled Republican senator holds campaign kickoff rally Wednesday in Kalispell

U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns stressed his seniority and his role in bringing Montana into the information age during a campaign kickoff speech Wednesday morning at the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel.

"Information technology has served us well," Burns said. "With it, everyone in Montana gets to have equal opportunity."

About 125 people attended the rally to lend support to Burns, a Republican running for his fourth term. Burns is in the middle of a 12-stop, five-day kickoff tour. His next stop Wednesday was a noon rally in Belgrade, followed by an evening event in Glendive.

Burns said after the speech that he doesn't expect this campaign to differ markedly from his past three.

"We've always had tight races," Burns said. "It's because we believe in something, and you can't be all things to all people."

He said he will stress his seniority and his agenda during this campaign.

As for any questions how his relationship with controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff might affect the tone of his campaign, Burns said: "The Democrats are the authority on Abramoff. Ask them."

In his speech, Burns said when he was first elected in 1988, "Montana was stagnant. We were focused on natural resources. We ignited a new direction and you can see the results around us."

He touted his championing of tax policies beneficial to property owners, his defense of private property rights and his work on behalf of rural Montana, especially in regard to technology.

Burns is the chairman of the Senate subcommittee on telecommunications.

"It's important to have a senator in that prestigious position advancing high tech," said former Montana Gov. Stan Stephens, who gave a short speech introducing Burns.

Stephens and Burns both talked about Burns' first campaign in 1988. He was a Yellowstone County commissioner at the time.

"He said, 'If you'll send me to D.C., then I will not let you down," Stephens said. And over the last 18 years, Stephens said, Burns has honored that pledge.

Burns said he wasn't quite that eager to embark on a political career, while his wife, Phyllis, said, "This is the craziest thing you've ever done."

"When they asked me to run, I said, 'You've got to be kidding me.'"

But he said the vision he had for the state in 1988 is the same one he has now.

"The vision stands above partisan politics. The future is not Democratic or Republican. The future is American."

Burns made few comments about Democrats, except to criticize their record on national security, where he said they have failed to "recognize the threats."

He said President Reagan and the first President Bush "identified the enemy, then there came another president who chose a policy of appeasement, which led to Sept. 11, 2001."

Other national themes included praise for the Patriot Act and the current President Bush's war leadership, condemnation of a recent Supreme Court decision to allow the taking of private property for private economic development, and a call for tougher immigration laws.

"Are you ready to fight with me to make sure people come into this country the legal way, as our folks did?" Burns asked, drawing the biggest applause of the morning.

Reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4431 or by e-mail at hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.