It was already evident after the first nine months in office that Congressman Walt Minnick favors corporate interests over people, along the way alienating much of his Democratic constituency in Idaho. Recent news of his opposition to the Consumer Financial Protection Agency doesn't help.
Now Minnick also appears to be alienating national Democrats and the Obama Administration, perhaps sinking his chances of securing support for his 2010 re-election campaign. Monday, Politico reported:
Since mid-August, [Vice President Joe] Biden already has appeared at fundraisers for close to a dozen junior House Democrats—almost exclusively first-termers—helping them rake in more than $1 million, according to party officials.
[...]
Biden foreshadowed his potential fall itinerary when he told donors at a fundraiser for second-term Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who represents a Republican-leaning seat in Arizona, that the future of the Obama administration’s agenda depends on 35 Democrats who represent districts Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won last November. Those are the seats Biden said the GOP will target in the midterm elections.
Even though Minnick is considered among the most vulnerable House Democrats, he has not been among those receiving fundraising support from the Vice President.
Last month, the highly-respected Rothenberg Political Report moved Minnick's chances of holding his seat in 2010 from Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic to Pure Toss-Up. Moving to the extreme political right apparently isn't helping Minnick's prospects of being anything but a one-term wonder.
In his speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on September 24, Minnick joked about his "independent" voting record, saying about House Democrats, "so far they still allow me to come to caucus."
Good one.
[h/t The Political Game]
At the rate he's going, I wouldn't anticipate Biden stumping for him anytime soon. The DCCC needs a Democrat that actually votes with the Democrats. How does having Walt Minnick in the seat accomplish their goals? Oh, wait, it does... just over 60% of the time. They could get 40% easily with a Republican in the seat.
Nice write up, MG. No h/t necessary. Just thought somebody who is currently blogging should go after this one.
Posted by: thepoliticalgame | October 08, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Along those same lines, the Politico article also says:
"Part of Biden’s role seems to be reassuring nervous freshmen that if they’re taking politically tough votes to support the administration’s agenda, the White House is going to look out for their interests in 2010.
“He was saying, ‘We know not all these votes are easy, because we’re dealing with the big stuff,’ and we’re not going forget you. ... Just as you were partners by our side, we’ll be there for you, too,’” [Virginia Rep. Gerry] Connolly recalled. “That’s a very reassuring message.”
Not surprising Walt hasn't been included--he hasn't been making any of those tough votes.
Posted by: MountainGoat | October 08, 2009 at 08:59 AM
I've been ruminating for a while that he's been boxing himself into the Republican corner. He's switched once. He can again. Timing will be significant if that's in the cards. And despite Biden's lack of interest, Minnick has been raking in the cash scaring off opponents in both parties.
And what's more curious, press release after press release seems geared to shoving the Republican message in our faces. After working so hard to get him elected, its difficult not to take that personally. I've been willing to give him lots of space, hoping and cajoling that he'd champion just one cause important to the party that elected him and exercising leadership qualities to assist the voters in Idaho to see that Democrats provide a real option. His failure to do so, particularly with his closed mind on the public option, makes the betrayal all the more personal.
Posted by: Sisyphus | October 08, 2009 at 09:36 AM