Butch Otter’s succession sparks a GOP family feud in Idaho

The Hill ^ | April 27, 2006 | Jonathan E. Kaplan

[Clintonfatigued]

The six-way race to win the Republican nomination in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District has turned into a full-fledged family feud, fraught with intraparty tensions and resentments.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I think, IIRC, that there isn't a runoff, so a RINO like Sorensen could emerge with a very small % of the vote. That has been a major disaster in so many races that I've cited previously (Schwarz in MI, Bilbray, et al).

[EternalVigilance]

Topinka in IL.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Well, there goes my dinner...

But, seriously, we can still stop that RINO twit in the general (which, alas, means that the incumbent gets a 2nd, but short term pain means long-term gain).

[EternalVigilance]

ToPinko makes Schwarzenegger and Bloomberg look moderate.

Sorensen may not QUITE be in her league, liberal-wise, but then Idaho ain't Illinois. Thank God.

[NeoCaveman]

Topinka in IL.

Schwartz in Michigan in 2004.

We really need a run off system.

[EternalVigilance]

We really need a run off system.

That would create a situation where the true makeup of a district was more accurately reflected, that's for sure.

[Clintonfatigued]

In states where laws can be voted on in referendums, primary runoffs could be persued through that means.

[NeoCaveman]

I don't know if it is just referenda states.

NC has primary runoffs remember the Vern Robinson race. Also Louisiana has the strange jungle primary. Plus GA has that top 2 general election run off, that is how Coverdell won.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Plus GA has that top 2 general election run off, that is how Coverdell won."

GA legislative 'Rats quickly rescinded that after Coverdell upended Sen. Wyche Fowler in '92 (Fowler won the initial general, but with a narrow plurality, and lost the runoff).

[NeoCaveman]

Yes. Where would the Dems be without the Libertarian spoiler.?

Well, Cantwell would certainly be at home instead of in DC, as would Tim Johnson, and Harry Reid.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Although I would tend to lean towards what you're saying as common sense, it's also possible that some of those Libertarians might not necessarily vote GOP at all (not to say they would vote 'Rat, but that they wouldn't turn out at all -- and given the dealings I've had with them, I know some just want to turn out to vote just for their candidate and might not come out otherwise), so some of those outcomes might've been the same (minus the Libertarian in the mix).

[NeoCaveman]

I know some just want to turn out to vote just for their candidate and might not come out otherwise), so some of those outcomes might've been the same (minus the Libertarian in the mix).

I have to agree with you that many people who vote third party do so believing that there is no difference between the 2 major party candidates, but on balance I would suspect that more Libertarians and Constitution Party voters are more inclined to vote GOP than Dem, if they vote at all. Just as Greenies are more inclined to vote Dem than GOP.

So you can not say that all or even most of those votes would have swung, but when you need less than 1,000 it seems likely you might get at least that. Also Coverdell/Fowler race tends to back up my initial opinion, but that is just one isolated incident.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I was engaged in an argument sometime ago regarding, for example, the Oregon Governor's race of '02, saying that had the Libertarian not been in the race, GOPer Kevin Mannix would be running for his 2nd term now. But as was pointed out, my assumption that those same Libertarians would've even shown up to vote absent a candidate for them and that Ted Kulongoski might still have won, might've proven in error.

The only bonafide contest I'm sure where a 3rd party cost us an office was when the rightist American Independent Party had a candidate in the State Comptroller race in '02 in CA. Mind you, it might not have been particularly important in another state, but this was the Tom McClintock race, and McClintock was the highest vote getter of any Republican in California that cycle, and had the 3rd party candidate withdrawn and endorsed McClintock, which would've resulted in a win, the likelihood as the sole GOP statewide officeholder at that time might've seen him become the "anointed" GOP recall candidate for Governor rather than the current RINO occupant.

[Delphinium]

I don't blame the establihsment for opposing Sali, who is right on the issues but a flake

Sali is no flake. He is the real deal. I know now after getting to know him, why he has gotten all of these endorsements: (to name a few)

National Right to Life

Club for Growth

Concerned Women Political Action Committee

National Right to Work

Government Is Not God PAC

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund

Sixty Votes Coalition

Republican National Coalition for Life

Conservative Victory Fund

Idaho Chooses Life

The Coalition for Natural Health

Idaho Coalition for Natural Health

National Pro-Life Alliance

American Conservative Union

Named “Most Effective Conservative” in Idaho Idahoans for Tax Reform

Tax Hawk Award Idahoans for Tax Reform

A+ Rating - NRA (ILA) (NRA/PVF Endorsed in 2004)

Friend for Life - Idaho Chooses Life

Ag All-Star - Idaho Food Producers

Guardian of the Elderly and Disabled Idaho Assisted Living Association

Faith and Freedom Award Idaho Christian Coalition

Guardian of Seniors' Rights 60 Plus Association

He is a very good candidate. All those who are spewing garbage about him are doing so because they are afraid. He is no, "go along to get along" like a couple of those listed.

I believe Bill is pulling ahead because people are desperate not to allow that LIBERAL Sorenson to win.

I make calls all day long, and the two that I hear the most support for are Vasquez, and Sali.

I'd be thrilled with both.

I think many of us in Idaho are sick and tired of dealing with RINOS.

Another point I want to make is that Sali has raised alot of out of state money, but he has still raised more from in state than all of them too.

[Kuksool]

A run off system is need for the 2008 primaries. With conservatives dividing their votes, it will easy for RINOs like Rudy, McCain, or Mitt to sneak right to the GOP nomination.

[Kuksool]

A run off system is needed for the 2008 primaries. With conservatives dividing their votes, it will easy for RINOs like Rudy, McCain, or Mitt to sneak right to the GOP nomination.

Plus a run-off system allows people to vote their conscious.

[EternalVigilance]

I like runoffs, but should point out that in this case, the '08 GOP race seems to be full of RINOs.

Which could mean they'll split up all the RINO votes, allowing a conservative to easily capture the nomination.

Maybe...

[EternalVigilance]

Bill Sali is the real deal BUMP!

God bless you for your work on his behalf.

[Delphinium]

Where are you? Hopefully here in Idaho.