Local Montana Chambers Distancing from U.S. Chamber's Attack Ads

The 2012 election cycle is full steam ahead and two local chambers of commerce in Montana have come out swinging against the U.S. Chamber’s recent misleading ads attacking Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester.  Once again, local chambers are concerned about being tied to the national organization’s politics and are stepping out publicly to make the distinction clear.

According to the Missoulian, Steve Mauer, government relations liaison for the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, said the U.S. Chamber ads “contain many ‘half-truths.’” Also according to the Missoulian:

“The Missoula Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to members…saying it does not condone a set of 'counterproductive' U.S. Chamber of Commerce-sponsored campaign advertisements targeting Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. ‘As an independent organization governed by local business and community partners, we do not automatically agree with either the Montana Chamber of Commerce or the U.S. Chamber on their polices or messages,’ the letter said."

According to the Flathead Beacon, “In a letter to the Great Falls Tribune…Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President made clear that ‘dues from any Chamber member do not go to that PAC and, therefore, don’t help pay for those ads.’” The local chamber also wrote:

“The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce does not support any negative ads on any candidate. We highly recommend that any negative ad toward any candidate be taken with skepticism until it has been researched, evaluated and verified before anyone makes a final decision regarding that candidate."

Far from the nation’s capital, local business owners don’t seem to like it when they’re mistaken for “half truths” and Washington D.C. partisan political hacks funded by anonymous corporate donors. Considering the aggressive political program that the Chamber has promised for 2012, we don’t think this is the last we’ll be hearing from local chambers and business leaders.