Bill Sali: Will Work for Food, er Money

It's well known that Idaho Congressman Bill Sali piled up mountains of debt in securing his 1st District seat in 2006, despite being bankrolled by Club for Growth.  It's also been reported that he continues to wallow in debt even as he attempts to mount a 2008 reelection campaign in a race that will include not only a three-way Democratic primary, but also (nearly unprecedented for Idaho) a GOP primary challenge for the incumbent.  Now several recent reports combine to detail the unpleasant extent of his financial woes.   

First we find out to what lengths Sali has gone trying to pay down his debt as reported in a recent USA Today article.  The story describes creative efforts by lobbyists attempting to maintain cozy relationships with members of Congress, including purchasing and renovating real estate near the U.S. Capitol for wining and dining them.

It also has Sali passing the hat while providing the entertainment for potential donors at a house owned by lobbyist Tim Rupli.

Despite a strict new ban on gifts to lawmakers, lobbyists routinely use these prime locations to legally wine and dine members of Congress while helping them to raise money, campaign records show. The lawmakers get a venue that is often free or low-cost, a short jaunt from the Capitol. The lobbyists get precious uninterrupted moments with lawmakers — the sort of money-fueled proximity the new lobbying law was designed to curtail. The public seldom learns what happens there because the law doesn't always require fundraising details to be reported.  [...]

On a recent chilly autumn night on New Jersey Avenue, Rep. Bill Sali sat in on the drums with a band at Rupli's house.

The party was to raise money to retire some of the Idaho Republican's campaign debt, and among the attendees were lobbyists from the Carmen Group, whose slogan is "proven results."

Add to that this news from Politico [emphasis mine]:

Six House Republicans holding seats that are being eyed by the Democratic majority are confronting the new, brutal reality of their party’s fundraising slump. They are limping into highly competitive reelection races with less cash than their Democratic challengers.

The latest fundraising reports are a gut punch for this six-pack of GOP incumbents: Reps. Christopher Shays (Conn.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), John R. Kuhl (N.Y.), Tim Walberg (Mich.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio) and Bill Sali (Idaho). [...]

A senior aide to a prominent House Republican requested anonymity to explain the significance of this fundraising downturn. “You’re going to see all these members in tough shape,” the aide said.

Toss in this news reported by the Idaho Statesman's Kevin Richert and we're left with a pretty unpleasant financial picture for the first-termer.

Perhaps at Club for Growth's annual convention this year, instead of enjoying perks on the luxury yacht, Sali could provide the entertainment—for a price of course.