GOP uneasy about Idaho House race (Dems need to go on offense!)

[katinmn]

Sali, a true Repuke, is vulnerable. A conservative Dem could win a seat in Idaho but the DCCC is not supporting the race. Perhaps they should borrow some money and go for it, as some have suggested.
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Larry Grant, a former executive at Micron Technology Inc., the state's largest private employer, is the Democrat in the race. His opponent is conservative state Rep. Bill Sali, a rock 'n' roll drumming and soul-singing Republican.

snip

He (Sali) once refused to cut short a floor speech linking breast cancer to abortion, prompting the Republican House speaker to call him "an idiot" and briefly strip him of his committee assignments.

"Even his fellow legislators don't like him," said Jim Holden, a district voter and charter member of the Service Employees International Union in Idaho.

snip

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has pledged no money to Grant, instead funneling resources to House candidates in traditionally competitive states.

Grant still balances on a tightrope, trying to tap into a wave of discontent with the Republican Congress, while distancing himself from Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Rodham Clinton, toxic names in Idaho political circles.

[niallmac]

1. The Dem machine here in Idaho is weak after so many years.

I have decided to send my meager dollars to Grant instead of the national campaign.
Not good to hear about the safe dems who sit on massive untapped
war chests. We hang together or hang separately and the way things
are going for our civil rights that is no longer a tired cliche.

[katinmn]

2. I hear you, niallmac. But you have "US!" Check out this Nation article

Netroots Challenge Dems' Electoral Strategy

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061030/melber

The Mark Foley scandal has given Democrats a huge edge in the midterm elections--almost twenty points in recent national polls--but can they turn it into a Congressional majority? Several long-shot House challengers are now viable, but they are in the very districts that have been neglected by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which focuses on a short list of races with better odds. The committee's targeted strategy could lead to a missed opportunity for Democrats--a fate that progressive bloggers have been warning against for years.

snip

Unlike in 2004 Democratic Party leaders now say they listen to the netroots. Bloggers have a seat at the table--including the table in Bill Clinton's Harlem office, where bloggers from MyDD, Firedoglake, AmericaBlog and Daily Kos gathered last month to talk politics with the former President. And now the Foley scandal can test the payoff--or limitations--of their strategy.
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I'll send some encouragement dollars to Grant (even though he's pretty conservative). Let's remind people there is a vulnerability in Idaho that we should exploit. :D

[niallmac]

4. Nice! Encouraging thanks.

Yeah, I know he's conservative but what other kind of Dem has a chance?
My litmus test this year is simple. D? ok. R? nope.
Dollars sent, fingers crossed. Working the polls.

[katinmn]

3. Netroots for Grant, Act Blue and other resources

http://www.netrootsforgrant.com/sendmoneyhome.html

Grassroots for Grant
http://larrygrant.typepad.com/blog/

Daily Kos: ID-01: Spokane Review endorses Larry Grant (D)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/7/22918/0471

Western Democrat:
http://www.westerndemocrat.com/2005/08/larry_grant_for.html

Red State Rebels:
http://redstaterebels.typepad.com/red_state_rebels/2005/08/larry_grant_mak.html

Act Blue for Grant:
http://www.actblue.com/page/turnidahoblue
Larry is one of 19 national netroots-endorsed candidates. This is increasingly considered one of the most competitive races in the country.