Posted on 12/08/2008 6:19:04 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Idaho Republicans are jockeying for a chance to try and retake one of the nations most conservative House districts next cycle even before the new Congress is sworn into office.
After a series of missteps and controversies, Rep. Bill Sali (R) narrowly lost his 1st congressional district seat to Rep.-elect Walt Minnick (D) in November. Minnick squeaked by with 50.6 percent of the vote to Salis 49.4 percent.
The Cook Political Report ranks the district, which covers western Idaho, the 14th most conservative in the country, and its a top target for Republicans. President Bush won it with 69 percent in 2004. And with Sali out, the seat is attracting interest from some popular state politicians.
Idaho Republican Party Executive Director Sid Smith said that the top potential challengers are state Sen. John McGee, state Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and, if he opts for a rematch, Sali.
Sali spokesman Wayne Hoffman did not rule that out.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Minnick campaigned heavily on a “I’m going to protect your guns” slate. The difficulty with this is that Obama is almost certainly going to reenact the AWB and that even if he votes against it Minnick is going to take the heat for it as a Dem. I don’t think Minnick is going to be around for too long afterward. Not here. Just my $0.02.
My main problem with Tancredo is that he had the nasty habit of going to other states to criticize others in order to draw attention to himself on the immigration issue, when he should have looked after his own garden back in suburban Denver. Other than that, he was a fine congressman.
Well, one that stands out in my mind was during the 06 GOP Primary here. The Club For Growth decided to openly endorse Sali. In that time frame, CFG made the claim that Vasquez was a "tax and spend liberal" based on his tenure as Canyon County Commissioner. That, based on my own recollection, is the primary factor in what put Sali over the top in that race.
Again, site specific examples please. I'm not in Idaho. HOW did he anger the other Republicans running against him?
Sorry about that, I tend to get on a roll and forget that not everyone is from Idaho. :)
And of course I didn’t post the rest of what I was going to reply to. Again, sorry about that.
Basically what happened in the ‘06 Primary was that Club for Growth (which came into the race and backed Sali) got the credit for Sali’s primary victory and in turn his general election win in 2006. (This despite the fact that CFG is pro open border/illegal and Sali isn’t). Well, that annoyed a lot of people in the state GOP (I know Sheila Sorensen was one RINO that ran against him that whined about CFG’s endorsing of Sali), so suffice it to say he got started off on the wrong foot.
The “RINO” definition that you described would be how I would describe them also, especially Sorensen. I’m certain that EternalVigilance has his $.02 on this topic as well, since I barely got what I wanted to say out in two posts.
Funny story, my Dad was one fo Frank Church’s roommates at the University Idaho/Moscow law school.
My Dad was born and raised in American Falls, and his Dad was the switchmaster for the Boise trainyards for decades, but somehow Dad turned into a hard-core lib!
Oh well...ancient history!
Ed
Pardon?
“Sali frequently splits his vote with Congressman Mike Simpson. More than 60 times, Sali voted in the small minority opposed to a piece of legislation with wide bipartisan support, including support from fellow Idaho Republican Mike Simpson.”
That’s a reason listed to OPPOSE Sali according to Idaho rats.
I agree though of course he should not run again. An uncontroversial conservative is very likely to oust Minnick. Sali twice failed to crack 50% in a super Republican seat. Even in 2 bad years that ain’t cool. I don’t remember who came in 2nd and in 2006 (I hope not that RINO lady) but a primary runoff would have been of help here. He won with just a quarter of the vote in the primary. Must be 1 of lowest %s of any house member in their initial primary.
I’m inclined to like Vasquez unless there is someone clearly better.
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