The MountainGoat Report

A Wide Right Failure

A failed strategy leads to this:

Did you give credence to some of the early polling that showed Rep. Minnick with a measurable lead?

We were ahead in all of our internal polling all the way up to the final days. Every single undecided voter broke against Walt. I'll make one comment about some of the post-election analysis: There seems to be an assumption that Democrats stayed home. The reality is that there are a lot fewer of them. The state has become a lot more red. More Democrats became independent and more independents became Republicans.

[...]

But if you did have a few minutes with some people who could rebuild the party, where would you start?

By not worrying about rebuilding the Democratic Party. The state is ruby-red Republican, and likely always will be. Any advice I would have to give would be to accept that reality and move on. Do not assume that you're going to get the state to change. It's Republican. It's conservative. Your strategy needs to be built around that reality.

Failure.  Failure to understand that the failed strategy led to the failure.

It may feel better to blame the failure on a variation of a Bruce Hornsby lyric... but it doesn't make it so.

Good riddance.

The Education Of the Idaho Democratic Party

Sisyphus has been living up to his namesake at 43rd State Blues.  In dual post-election analyses he has advanced the theme that the blowout Idaho Democrats endured this election had at least as much to do with self-inflicted voter apathy as with a "Republican wave," as the media and Democratic Party officials have asserted.

In doing so, he contrasted the successful campaign of Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada to the losing campaign of Idaho 1st District Congressman Walt Minnick in 2010 and he crunched the numbers, such as they are, in comparing the losing gubernatorial races of Independent Keith Allred running on the Democratic ticket in 2010 and Democrat Jerry Brady, the nominee in 2006.  The candidates on the Democratic ticket in both 2010 races ran sharply away from the Democratic Party, shunning Democratic identity and disparaging Democratic ideals to the detriment of their campaigns and the Idaho Democratic Party, as Sisyphus and others have concluded.

Now, through Randy Stapilus at Ridenbaugh Press and Betsy Russell at Eye On Boise, we find links to more corroboration of this theme at the interstices blog.   In analyzing the voting in Ada County legislative races, interstices concluded that Boise Democrats didn't show up at the polls and surmised:

What happened appears to best be described as a systemic failure on the part of the Democratic Party to put on a campaign at the top of the ticket that would help drive voter turnout at the lower races such as for State Legislature. 

More fascinating is interstices' comparison of the Democratic voting patterns in presidential years with those in gubernatorial years, as shown in this snip of a chart accompanying the election analysis.  "Despite favorable trends in Democratic votes the past six or eight years Allred was unable to hold to a common pattern of outperforming the Democratic Presidential nominee two years previous," writes interstices.  "Only in 1998 did the Democratic Gubernatorial candidate not do as well as the Democratic Presidential candidate two years previous."

Indeed, this contradicts the attempt at revisionism employed by Walt Minnick a week before the election when he optimistically informed the New York Times that President Obama was a "drag on the ballot" in 2008.

Check out interstices for more election analysis and other interesting bits of info.

What lessons the Idaho Democratic Party takes away from this election remain to be seen, but it would be a grave, maybe fatal, mistake to conclude that they simply fell victim to a "Republican wave."

Idaho Dems Respond to Health FreeDumb Bill

The Idaho Democratic Party responds to passage of the Idaho Health Freedom Act by the state House of Representatives Tuesday, with the following press release:

Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark called on Republicans legislators to stop grand-standing with their law suit publicity stunt, to stop wasting taxpayers’ money and get to work.  

“The people of Idaho are looking for vision and leadership to address the financial crisis that is costing Idahoans their jobs and their financial security,” Roark said. “Idahoans need paychecks, not more unemployment checks and they definitely don’t need costly political gimmicks.”

“Idaho Republicans are chasing a political boogieman by threatening a lawsuit over a health care bill that has not even been enacted. When Republicans turn their fear mongering into senseless legislation – consuming precious time and resources during the state’s fiscal crisis – they misuse the legislative process and the trust of those who elected them.”

“Any doubt that this is grandstanding, was removed when Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko weighed in yesterday as if on cue proclaiming he planned to use the bill to convince voters to vote against Democratic legislators.”

Roark applauded Idaho’s Democratic legislators for showing vision and promoting positive solutions to the real problems facing Idaho today: solutions that create jobs for working families rather than more work for government lawyers. The Democratic proposal known as IJOBs is focused on concrete ways to help Idahoans recover from the worst economic recession in half a century. “If the Republicans’ idea of creating jobs in Idaho is to hire lawyers to sue the federal government, we are in a lot more trouble this legislative session than I originally thought.”

“In fact, if Republicans continue to waste time and money with these kinds of publicity stunts rather than helping Idahoans find jobs, then Idaho voters will vote them out of office. Republicans have had been in control of the Idaho Legislature for decades and the effects of that control are all too apparent in the fiscal crisis that confronts us right now.  Mr. Semenko should direct his time and attention at getting the legislators of his own party to start taking their positions seriously.”

In Defense Of Church

I don't want to see this country ever go across the bridge. I know the capacity that is there to make tyranny total in America, and we must see to it that this agency and all agencies that possess this technology operate within the law and under proper supervision, so that we never cross over that abyss. That is the abyss from which there is no return.

— Senator Frank Church (D-Idaho)

When Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick sat in as guest host for KBOI's Nate Shelman on December 22, he responded to three hours of questions on a variety of topics but largely focused on health care reform.  His answer, or lack of one, when Chuck insisted, in his grossly misinformed opinion, that people with preexisting medical conditions didn't deserve health care wasn't the only disturbing comment Minnick left unchallenged.

In the third hour of the program, Loretta called in from Boise.

I am one of the millions of people in the groundswell that has risen up, lately, in just horror at what's happening in the Beltway.  And so I did hear your comment about the constitutionality of what's going on with health care from a previous caller, but here's my understanding and then I have a challenge for you.

We, Idaho, were kinda put on the map many, many years ago with the Frank Church situation and the disaster, in my opinion, that that caused in our security environment.  So I'd like to see Idaho get put back on the map in a positive way.

She went on to state why she believes health care reform legislation is unconstitutional and urged Walt to stand up and challenge its constitutionality.

Walt responded by saying he believes that the legislation is constitutional and that there is plenty of precedent for it, citing Medicare and Medicaid programs as examples, and welcomed her to challenge it in court if she believes otherwise.

What was left hanging there in the air was that reference to former Idaho Democratic Senator Frank Church.  The only thing she could have possibly been referring to was the Church Committee, the U.S. Senate committee chaired by Senator Church that in 1975 investigated illegal activity of the CIA, FBI and other agencies uncovered during the Watergate investigations. Widely accepted as necessarily reining in the constitutional abuses of the government and its agencies against American citizens, the Church Committee helped pour disinfecting sunlight on an ugly, dark wound.

You've got to be in a really, really strange place to believe that was anything but positive.  Even stranger to believe the Constitution would allow the government to conduct clandestine operations against it's own citizens but prohibit it from providing health care for them.

And what sort of Idaho Democrat would leave unchallenged the implication that Senator Frank Church was anything but  positive for Idaho?  Must be a whole different animal indeed.

Bittersweet

It's the end of an era but the beginning of another—for the IDP and Julie Fanselow.

IDP on 'Mission Accomplished'

From the Idaho Democratic Party:

Five years ago today, President Bush landed on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and declared that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" in front of an enormous banner that read, "Mission Accomplished." Around that same time, John McCain said "it’s clear that the end is very much in sight."

Now – five years, more than 4,000 lost lives, and at least $500 billion later – John McCain says keeping our troops in Iraq for 100 years would be "fine" with him.  Instead of outlining a plan for victory and an exit strategy in Iraq , McCain is offering a long-term troop presence in Iraq similar to our presence in Germany and South Korea , an approach that he himself admits won’t work.  [ABC News, "Good Morning America ," 4/9/2003] 

"As of today, 30 Idahoans have died serving in Iraq. Idahoans are not 'fine' with McCain’s idea to keep our troops being in Iraq for another 100 years," said R. Keith Roark, chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party.

Read the rest here.

Roark: Idahoans Deserve Primary Election Freedom

By R. Keith Roark, Idaho State Democratic Party Chairman

The Idaho Democratic Party believes strongly that all voters, Democrats, Republicans and Independents should be able to participate in all taxpayer financed elections, primary and general.  The lawsuit filed last week by the Idaho Republican Party is an arrogant slap in the face of all Idaho voters who consider themselves independent.  The Idaho Republican Party has now officially announced its “choice to implement closed primary elections.”

There are three features of this Idaho Republican Party “choice” that all Idaho voters and taxpayers should condemn.  First, Idaho ’s primary elections are paid for by all Idaho taxpayers, including those who consider themselves independent voters.  The Idaho Republican Party lawsuit, if successful, will force independent voters to pay for elections in which they are not allowed to participate.

Secondly, the Idaho Legislature, controlled overwhelmingly by Republicans, refused to close the primary election to independent voters.  Therefore, the Idaho Republican Party is asking a federal court to overrule our elected legislators and close primary elections to independent voters.  Republican criticism of “activist” judges is, obviously, nothing more than pure hypocrisy.

Thirdly, the Idaho Republican Party lawsuit against a Republican Idaho Secretary of State will force Idaho ’s taxpayers to foot the bill for defending our open primary system at a time when we don’t have the money to maintain highways or properly fund education.

It is a clear sign of how arrogant Republicans in this state have become when the Idaho Republican Party sues a Republican Secretary of State in order to have a federal court overrule our elected State Legislature and exclude independent voters from taxpayer financed primary elections while Idaho taxpayers, including independent voters, foot the bill for such chicanery.

The Idaho Democratic Party pays for its presidential caucuses and does not accept one dime from the taxpayer for those events.  If the Idaho Republican Party wants to close its primary elections then it should not expect taxpayers to foot the bill.  The Idaho Democratic Party believes that all voters should be able to participate in any election financed by the taxpayers of this state.

New Director at IDP

The Idaho Democratic Party has hired a new executive director and is announcing that at a press conference today.  43rd State Blues was first up with the name of the new "cat herding poobah."  Read the good news here.

Update:  Here is the official announcement from the IDP:

Idaho State Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark is delighted to announce the appointment of one of Idaho's best known and most experienced community leaders to serve as the state party's new Executive Director. Jim Hansen will lead an energetic staff not only into the critical 2008 campaign season, but beyond this year and into an unprecedented period of party rebuilding and unity.

"I am committed to rebuilding the Idaho Democratic Party from the ground up, precinct by precinct, county by county," Roark said. "The Idaho Democratic Party is standing up for the middle class, working to make government transparent and protecting the Idaho lifestyle against corporate greed.  Idaho needs a strong and vibrant Democratic Party and Jim Hansen will provide exactly the kind of executive leadership and direction we need to make our voice heard at this critical time.

Roark on "Little Mistake"

From the Idaho Democratic Party:

Democratic chairman corrects “Little mistake”

Statement By R. Keith Roark, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman:

Whether intentionally or not, Republican State Senator Brad Little misleadingly called last February’s Idaho Democratic Caucuses a “… closed door caucus” where “voters had to pledge to support a Democratic candidate only.”  That statement is entirely untrue and Sen. Little either knows it to be untrue or is guilty of speaking without knowing what he is talking about. 

No candidate for public office was nominated at the Idaho Democratic Caucuses on Feb. 5, 2008.  The purpose of the caucuses was to elect delegates to the Idaho Democratic Convention to be held in Boise this June.  The delegates to that convention will, in turn, select Idaho ’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention this August in Denver at which time the Democratic nominee for President of the United States will be selected.  Obviously, delegates to either party’s state and national convention should be members of that party and our pledge form says no more than that.  Furthermore, Senator Little neglects to acknowledge that the Democratic caucuses are paid for entirely by the Democratic Party – not one dime of taxpayers’ money goes to support our caucuses.

All Democratic nominees for public office in Idaho will be selected at the May primary election which is, currently, open to all voters.  The May primary election, at which both Republicans and Democrats select their candidates for public office, is paid for with taxpayers’ money and should, therefore, be open to all Idahoans, including independent voters.  If Republicans want to close their primaries to all but card carrying party members we believe they should have the right to do so – but they, not the taxpayers of this state, should pay for such closed door proceedings.

R. Keith Roark, Chair
Idaho Democratic Party

You Only Get One Shot

As John Foster, the soon to be former executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party, says, "This is the video you didn't get to see," referring to this one created by the IDP to be shown at the recent Frank Church Banquet.  Due to time constraints it never got played, but . . . enjoy.  It's powerful stuff.

Idaho Dems on Larry Craig . . . Finally (but not literally)

The Idaho Democratic Party has finally broken their silence on the scandal surrounding Senator Larry Craig.  Chairman Keith Roark calls on the Idaho GOP leadership to publicly convince him to resign. 

Read all about it at 43rd State Blues.

Update:  For a good round up of media reaction to the Senate Ethics Committee admonition of Senator Larry Craig, check out the unequivocal notion.

Foster Steps Down

Big news from yesterday was that after less than a year in the position, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director, John Foster, will step down.  NewWest Boise and Boise Weekly both have snippets which cite family reasons for Foster's move.  This news comes on the heels of arguably the most successful Democratic caucus in Idaho history—definitely the best attended.

From this vantage point, probably the most visible change Foster made since taking over the ExDir position in late April last year, was the IDP's embrace of new technology and new media, including bloggers.  Foster came from a journalism background and had been managing editor at the Idaho Business Review where he wrote the IBR's BizBlog prior to accepting the position.

Perhaps in the most significant example of this, Foster announced in a conference call with bloggers that this year's Frank Church Banquet would feature keynote speaker Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, founder of the most influential national progressive blog, Daily Kos.  He also announced that Daily Kos would be an official sponsor of the event, with members funding grassroots training and helping defray the cost of attending the banquet for Idaho bloggers.

Of course when being surprised by a significant move such as this, we all like to more closely examine its meaning.  In this case, did Foster's embrace of new media, or more specifically bloggers, play any role in this move?  There's not any evidence of that right now but there is this.  When former party chairman Richard Stallings resigned in late December, along with other bloggers, I received the press-release.  For Foster's resignation, I did not.

Kossacks To Fund Frank Church Banquet

Blogging for political change in Idaho can sometimes feel like this:

Just when you think you've got the Salis, Thayns, Fischers and others of the species pretty well rounded up, an Austin Bowers breaks away from the pack on a dead run, bound to out-wacky the wackiness of the others.  Give 'em this, though; they make it entertaining.  I mean, gee, when was the last time you got to poke fun at communism?   

It could get discouraging if they weren't so ridiculous—and sometimes it does.  But then it never fails.  Just when you think that the absurdity might be in thinking that anything you do could really make a difference, something inevitably happens. 

Today it was mcjoan at Daily Kos talking about the Idaho Democratic Party's annual Frank Church Banquet:

The Daily Kos community will be an official sponsor of the event, and not only will we be funding grassroots training, we'll be sponsoring our fellow bloggers--the money we provide will offset the ticket costs for Idaho's bloggers, allowing them to attend the banquet (and definitely spice this party up). [...] And we can give a boost to some of the progressive bloggers who have been working their butts off for, thus far, very little reward in one of the toughest states in the country.

There had been talk that something was in the works so this wasn't a total surprise.  But saying that the news alleviates a little of the absurdity is an understatement.  Thanks Kossacks.    

Markos is Coming to Idaho

Republicans, lock your doors; this just in:  Markos Moulitsas Zúniga or kos, founder of Daily Kos, the premier blog conservatives love to hate, will be the keynote speaker for the Idaho Democratic Party's Frank Church Banquet on March 1st.

Sure to ignite Idaho Democrats and Republicans alike (but for very different reasons), Markos has been a fire-brand to national politics, pushing progressive issues into the mainstream with ever-increasing influence since breaking onto the blogging scene in 2002.  In fact in many ways, kos and the community he developed at Daily Kos are largely responsible for creating political blogging as we know it today.

A veteran born of a Salvadoran mother and Greek father, Markos has an impressive resume.  Here's an excerpt:

Named "the single most successful entrepreneur of the progressive movement" by NY Times magazine writer and author Matt Bai, Moulitsas is also co-author of the critically acclaimed book Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People-Powered Politics, a contributing columnist to Newsweek Magazine and (starting in January 2008) a weekly columnist at The Hill newspaper. He was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the world by People en Español, clocked in at third in Forbe's Web Celeb 25 rankings, and was listed 26th in PC World's list of the "Most Important People on the Web".

I'm sure we'll be getting more info as the date draws near.  Until then, Idaho Republicans, consider this fair warning.

Stallings on Risch "Coronation"

Wow, for those wishing the Idaho Democratic Party would speak up a little louder, well they just did.  In a just-released editorial submission, IDP Chairman Richard Stallings eviscerates the "good-old-boys" club that "coronated" Lt. Gov. Jim Risch to replace Senator Larry Craig in 2008.

Here's the entire submission:

This past week, Idaho Republicans attempted to flex their political muscle at a press conference in Boise. The good-old-boy club wants voters to think Lt. Gov. James Risch has been coronated, knighted or otherwise chosen to be Idaho’s next U.S. Senator.

I have a problem with that. And, as a voter and an Idahoan, so should you.

There are at least two elections between now and the day when the people of Idaho get to choose who will replace Republican Larry Craig in the U.S. Senate. But I don’t think they will pick Jim Risch, a founding member of the good-old-boys who think they run Idaho. I think Idahoans are looking now for new leaders and a new direction.

Live Blogging the IDP Central Committee Meeting

Sara Anderson, f-words blogger and RedStateRebels.net contributor moscow, is live blogging the Idaho Democratic Party central committee meeting today from Post Falls.

Go check it out here.

IDP on SCHIP Veto

In a press release today, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings condemned President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation and called on Senators Craig and Crapo to join in overriding the veto.

Not only have a bipartisan group of 43 governors called on President Bush to extend and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, but seven states filed lawsuits against the Bush Administration challenging proposed federal rules that would "force poor children to lose health coverage." [Associated Press, 10/01/07]  [...]

“President Bush and the Republicans trying to replace him may think it makes sense to turn their backs on Idaho’s children, but Crapo and Craig have an opportunity to stand with Democrats in standing up for our children,” said Stallings. “Allowing President Bush’s reckless and irresponsible veto to stand means denying thousands of Idaho children the opportunity to see a doctor, receive preventative care and live healthier and happier lives. Republicans like Craig and Crapo should have the courage to do the right thing and stand up to President Bush by joining Democrats in fighting for the families and children of Idaho.”

IDP - John Foster Statement

From John Foster, the Idaho Democratic Party executive director:

"It's being reported that Gov. Butch Otter may soon have the opportunity to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. It's also being reported that he is likely to appoint someone who has already declared an intention to seek that seat.

"We believe that sends the wrong message. We think that the governor should appoint one of Idaho 's top statesmen – such as former Gov. Phil Batt or former Gov. Cecil Andrus – to fill any vacant Senate seat.

"This is not a decision that should be made based on pressure from politicians in Washington, D.C. Should there be a vacancy, we ask that Gov. Otter appoint someone with unimpeachable character and a reputation as an independent thinker, someone who can serve Idaho well for the next year, and then step aside to allow all Idahoans to choose their own U.S. Senator."

From Richard Stallings

Democrats Make Communities Safer by
Passing 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Boise, Idaho — State Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings today applauded congressional Democrats for keeping their promise to make our communities safer and more secure. This week, the Congress voted to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, something Republicans like Rep. Bill Sali and Sens. Larry Craig and Michael Crapo have refused to do for the last three years.

In July 2004, the 9/11 Commission announced its recommendations for how to avoid a future terrorist attack in the United States .  For three years, Republicans put their partisan loyalty ahead of our nation’s security, first by resisting Democratic efforts to appoint the bipartisan blue Ribbon in the first place, then by joining President Bush in ignoring the Commission’s recommendations. 

But this week, Democrats in Congress voted to send a long-overdue bill that finally implements the 9/11 Commission recommendations to the President’s desk.  The bill would tighten screening of air and sea cargo, strengthen transit security, improve oversight of our intelligence and homeland security systems, and allocate $3.3 billion to help communities improve communications among first responders—a major problem during both the September 11 attacks and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Republicans like Bill Sali have fought us every step of the way, but Democrats scored a victory for the American people today by sending the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to the President’s desk,” Stallings said. “At least Idaho Republican Michael Simpson had the sense to join Democrats to make America safer and send a message to the terrorists that their evil ways will not succeed.”

“During last year’s election, Democrats promised to end the failed policies of Bush Republicans like Mike Crapo and Larry Craig who chose to sit by as al Qaeda rebuilt and the 9/11 Commission report sat on a shelf gathering dust.  Democrats kept that promise by passing the Commission’s commonsense recommendations for making our communities safer and more secure.  The time has come for Bush Republicans to stop standing with the President and start standing up for the people of Idaho .”

Dems Fight for Idaho Voters' Rights

Saturday the Idaho Republican Party voted to close their primary elections to just those who have registered with the party.  Some party officials have also said that they are willing to sue the State of Idaho to enforce that decision.  In fact former state senator Rod Beck told the Associated Press that "the closed primary was needed to weed out those who were not true Republicans."

What an outrageous statement to make.  Who would have thought that in arguably the most Republican state in the nation, Republicans would be trying to "weed out" people and voters from the party.  It's clearly evident that Idaho's Republican Party is fractured.

Idahoans are legendary for their sense of independence and highly protective of their privacy, especially in the voting booth.  The Republican Party has voted to abolish that voting booth privacy by demanding party registration and essentially disenfranchising all those who don't wish to have their names on some party list.   

An Idaho Mountain Express editorial summed it up nicely.

Closing primaries would force Idahoans to choose between fiercely private independence and voting in primary elections. That's a choice they shouldn't have to make.

The kicker is that even though these Republicans want to reduce primary voting to some exclusive club, they still want the state of Idaho, meaning all the taxpayers, to pay for it.

Idaho Democrats are committed to fighting for the rights of all Idahoans to vote in primary elections and to keep their vote private.  If you'd like to help, write a letter to your local newspaper, send an email to your friends and family and if you can, make a contribution to the Idaho Democratic Party to support this fight.

Update 06.20.07 20:31:  As noted in the comments, Rod Beck disputes the quote attributed to him by the AP.  Also the link to the source of this article is no longer functioning; if and when a new link is found, it will be updated.  

Idaho Democrats Hire Foster

This is exciting news from the Idaho Democratic Party, click to read the whole release.

John Foster, former managing editor of the Idaho Business Review, has been hired as the Executive Director of the Idaho Democratic Party, state Chairman Richard Stallings announced on Thursday.

“This extremely talented young man has proven management skills and exactly the kind of enthusiasm our party needs to capitalize on last year’s gains,” Stallings said. “John comes to this job with a keen ability to coach and nurture to our expanding staff; and to oversee day-to-day operations. He’s the right person at the right time in the right party.”

Foster replaces former IDP executive director Maria Weeg, who moved to Arizona earlier this month to assume that state’s directorship.

Foster, 33, has worked as managing editor of the Idaho Business Review newspaper for the past year. An Idaho native, he previously served as news editor for the Rio Grande SUN in New Mexico . He has worked as a newspaper trainer and contest judge, and has served as an officer and member of several professional journalism organizations.

Plus...he's a blogger.  Until recently, Foster wrote the Biz Blog at Idaho Business Review.  Idaho Democrats will enjoy huge benefits from that internet experience along with his many other skills.

Nice choice Chairman Stallings. 

LaRocco for Senate

Tom Payne at 43rd State Blues has the scoop and Serephin confirms that this month Idaho Democrat Larry LaRocco will formally announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Larry Craig.  Former Canyon County Commissioner and unsuccessful congressional candidate Robert Vasquez has previously announced that he will challenge Sen. Craig in the Republican primary.

Larry LaRocco served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 1st District of Idaho from 1991 to 1995.  Last year he ran unsuccessfully against interim Gov. Jim Risch for the position of Lt. Gov. where he raised and spent over $200,000.  As of yet, no other Democratic challenger has announced for the seat.

According to Open Secrets, as of Dec. 2006 Sen. Craig had $270,000 cash on hand.  His upcoming primary opponent, Robert Vasquez, was able to raise $324, 000 in last year's 1st Congressional District primary and had $107 on hand as of Dec. 2006. 

Party With Our Party

Canyon County Democrats invite you to "Party with our Party" on Friday, March 2nd from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho in Nampa.  Last year's 1st Congressional District candidate Larry Grant will be the speaker and there will be food catered by Garcia's Tex-Mex Grill plus a no host bar.  The cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple and $15 for students.

Check out more of the details here or at the Canyon County Democrats home page and for directions, here's a link to a map.

The Party of Sportsmen and Recreationalists

Alan at IdaBlue has some interesting analysis on the open space debate and the fears and frustrations that many sportsmen/women, anglers and recreationalists have with public lands being closed off or sold off.  It continues with how Democrats may be able to claim some of that territory through rebranding.  Go check it out.

I agree with most of his analysis on the whole; I do have a small quarrel with his closing comment:

I don’t think it really matters if any of these bills get passed. The point is to show Dems responding to hunters’ concerns, and to drive a wedge between two R bases.

I think that if Democrats want to be known as the party of protecting access to public lands, the issues shouldn't be taken up merely as a vehicle to garner support for the party.  The issues should and do matter.