Despite the losses

[rniel]

This year was definately competitive for a change. I think with Howard Deans strategy he's not just going to give up on states like Idaho. I think that's a great strategy. If anything he can force Republicans to pour more money into Idaho races in order to win, which will make it harder for republicans elsewhere.

[CabalPowered]

1. If we can't beat someone like Sali

Then there is little hope for this state. I know the demographics are changing but it's going to be another decade before we really have a chance.

[Zambero]

2. It's all about money

If, like Sali, Grant would had had over $1MM in out-of-state funds, he may have been able to close the gap. Grant was just outspent on a massive scale. As it stands, coming to within 5% of victory after being outspent in a gerrymandered deep red district is quite an accomplishment. If Jimbo puts his foot in his mouth once too often, which is a good bet, be may find himself quite vulnerable in future races. The notion of Sali's influence being limited by the GOP's new-found minority status may be all it takes for him to go off the deep end. I liken him to Wes Cooley, a one-term class 0f '94 wingnut from Eastern Oregon who revealed himself to be little more than a loose cannon, so bad that the GOP pressured him not to run for a second term since he would have lost a "safe" seat by a wide margin.

[CabalPowered]

3. It's a safe bet that Idaho repub leadership

will never let him win another primary. I agree with you that Grant did great job considering the money game but the fact remains that we didn't get any victories out of this. Jones, Brady, and Grant all lost.

[Zambero]

4. Victory sometimes is an incremental process

I'm hoping the DCCC looks over the close results from Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming and considers what might have been had there been national support for some excellent candidates who really gave the GOP a run for their money. Perhaps in future contests there will be a bit more than mere encouraging words for these "emerging races". On a brighter note, it's a comfort of sorts that the GOP and their PAC allies were forced to pour money into what should have been "safe" Districts -- resources that if applied elsewhere might have salvaged some of last night's GOP casualties. So running credible candidates does IMHO improve the big picture. Having said that, I'll admit to being plenty bummed about losing these local races. As a very small consolation, it was nice to find out that Grant carried my West Boise precinct by about 70 votes.

[CabalPowered]

5. I know I should be encouraged but the fact remains

the last Dem rep that was elected was Richard Stallings. And that was 20 years ago! I like to think the demographics are changing in our favor but the county results are very disappointing.

Southern Idaho is more red than it ever has been and I'm afraid that trend may continue. In Twin Falls, the new temple has continued the housing growth spurt when it should have tapered off in late summer. Houses are selling extremely well in that neighborhood, which means more SLC refugees. Enrollment at BYU/Ricks will continue to grow as well.

I was surprised that Grant didn't do better in the Boise precincts. It's still a nice victory but considering the opponent, I think the demographics are not changing in our favor.

Ok, I'm done crying in my beer. We did a great job nationally and that's what counts right now! :toast:

ps. No offense to Mormons, I was one and I know the likelihood of a party shift in the church is unlikely.

[Major Hogwash]

6. Larry LaRocco was the last Dem Rep from ID, 1990-94

Just so you'll know.

[CabalPowered]

7. Good call

:thumbsup:

[jessicazi]

10. I might get in trouble for this

but a lot of the reason Jones lost is because the resources a Democratic Superintendent candidate would have were being used for Prop 1. Prop 1 had $2 million, all of the teachers volunteer time was tied up in Prop 1 and even election night at the party in Bannock County, the teachers didn't care that Jones was losing, they only cared about Prop 1. I hate to say it, but teachers did it to themselves. They had tunnel vision on Prop 1. Also, the state party didn't show support for Jones. They were so focused on Brady and though hindsight is 20/20, Jones is a much easier sale than Brady, and they should've put more of their eggs in the Jones' basket.

[IDemo]

8. I'm left feeling pretty hopeless for Idaho

Not the gut-punched feeling of the morning following the '04 election, but I just can't see Idaho moving onto the blue map anytime in the near future. We were running against Bill Sali, fer chr%@* sake! If voters here are willing to continually vote in the Symms, Chenoweths, and Sali's despite everything the local and (at least this time) national Democratic Party can bring to the fight, maybe it's time for Dr. Dean to consider the 49 state strategy next time.

If it were not for family issues, I would long since have relocated to Washington or Oregon. Keeping the ol' resume updated in the meantime...

[Zambero]

9. For future consideration?

If the GOP hadn't gerrymandered the most liberal parts of Boise out of the 1st District, Sali's 5-point margin of victory would have likely been eclipsed. At some point, given Idaho's projected population growth, the State is likely to pick up third House seat. It would seem logical that the somewhat blue "State of Ada" would stand alone in such a scenario, with fast-growing solid red Canyon County staying in the 1st District.

I'll also predict this: Sali will go berserk as a minority GOP Congressman and make an absolute fool of himself, causing many of his marginal backers to reconsider their future support. When the dire predictions of his past campaign don't come true (Nancy Pelosi will bring S.F. to Idaho, middle class taxes will increase, the Dems will "take God off our money", etc. etc.), they won't be able to trot out the same tired issues again and again. And don't forget that they won't have an anti-gay marriage amendment to rally the right wing base every time out. Mr. Sali just might wear out his welcome real quick.

I'm encourahed by Boise having increasing its share of Democratic State Legislators from 7 to 12, out of 15 total seats. It's almost like living in a liberal ghetto, but it's living amongst sanity and that counts for something.