Tester calls for truth and transparency from secretive organization

Senator: Misleading ‘Committee for Truth in Politics’ ads have no place in Montana

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today called on a secretive organization responsible for misleading TV ads in Montana to reveal who they are and where their funding comes from.

The well-funded organization, called the “Committee for Truth in Politics,” is airing the TV ads across Montana, encouraging viewers to contact Tester about a bank bailout that doesn’t even exist.

“As you well know, this TV ad is flat out false,” Tester wrote in a letter to the only two people reported to be involved with the group. “Out-of-state, secretive organizations that spread fear and confusion have no place in a state like Montana.”

Tester added that Montana has a “proud tradition of transparency in government and truth in politics.”

“In line with that tradition, and in honor of the truth, I call on you to reveal exactly where your funding comes from,” Tester wrote.

The TV ad appears to be an effort to falsely label the Senate’s plans for Wall Street reform as a “big bank bailout” in order to mislead Montanans. Tester is the only Senate Democrat to have voted against the bailouts of Wall Street and of the U.S. auto industry.

“Our economy almost collapsed a year and a half ago because there were no referees on Wall Street,” Tester wrote. “Montana’s Main Street small business owners and families should never have to pay the price of greed on Wall Street.”

Tester said he wants to know why “a secretive organization would spend so much good money to keep referees off Wall Street.”

“Montanans shouldn’t believe an ad that bails out on the truth,” he wrote.

Tester’s letter appears below.

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Mr. William W. Peaslee
Mr. James Bopp, Jr.

Dear Mr. Peaslee and Mr. Bopp:

I write with the understanding that you are associated with the Committee for Truth in Politics, an organization well funded but little known in Montana and across the country. I also understand the Committee for Truth in Politics tries very hard to keep information about itself secret.

I write on behalf of the people of Montana, who have raised concerns about a recent TV ad running on stations across my state. The ad is paid for by the Committee for Truth in Politics.

As you well know, this TV ad—which encourages viewers to contact me—is flat out false. There is no bill before the Senate to bail out big banks.

And out-of-state, secretive organizations that spread fear and confusion have no place in a state like Montana. Montana has a proud tradition of transparency in government and truth in politics. That’s why I became the first U.S. Senator to post his daily schedule online.

In line with that tradition, and in honor of the truth, I call on you to reveal exactly who you are and where your funding comes from. Montanans deserve no less.

Finally, allow me to explain where I stand on the issue of Wall Street reform. 

I—along with most Americans—believe very strongly that Wall Street and its CEOs ought to play by the rules. Our economy almost collapsed a year and a half ago because there were no referees on Wall Street. And Montana’s Main Street small business owners and families should never have to pay the price of greed on Wall Street.

Wall Street reform, however, is not a bank bailout. I am against bailouts. In fact, I am the only Senate Democrat to have voted against both the bailout of Wall Street and the bailout of the U.S. auto industry.

I want to know why a secretive organization would spend so much good money to keep referees off Wall Street. Montanans shouldn’t believe an ad that bails out on the truth.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,
(s)
Jon Tester
United States Senator