It wasn't quite the orchestrated show of GOP support that surrounded Lt. Gov. Jim Risch's launch into the U.S. Senate race, but 1st District Rep. Bill Sali is boasting some big-name backing in his bid for a second term.
In a Saturday news release, Sali said State Schools Superintendent Tom Luna, House Speaker Lawerence Denney and State Treasurer Ron Crane will co-chair his re-election campaign.
Said Sali: "I think their support is a reflection of the growing support I have gained among Idahoans since taking office. I have been working hard to carry on the legacy of leadership established by Helen Chenoweth and Butch Otter, and it’s humbling to have that work recognized by these statesmen."
Of the three co-chairs, the most noteworthy in the group may be the fellow with the lowest statewide profile: Crane. One of the rumors that got mileage earlier this year had pegged Crane as a possible GOP challenger to Sali in 2008. So much for that one.
Sali has one relatively unknown opponent, Matt Salisbury of Nampa. We're about six months away from the GOP primary and no other name has advanced beyond the rumor stage. That doesn't preclude another primary challenge, but the window is starting to get a little narrower. That's especially the case if a sitting state lawmaker is going to try to juggle three months of legislative work against the logistics of campaigning in a district that stretches from West Boise to the Canadian border.
Meanwhile, Democrats are tripping over each other for a shot at Sali. Northwest political blogger Randy Stapilus style="text-decoration:underline;">offers a good blog post about the looming three-way primary involving former 2006 Democrat nominee Larry Grant, Rand Lewis of Moscow and former U.S. Senate candidate Walt Minnick.
In 2006, Sali emerged from a fractious six-way GOP primary with only 26 percent of the vote. It was enough to get him to the general election where Sali defeated Grant, victor in an easy Democratic primary.
Is it possible, come 2008, that the Democratic nominee will have to survive a bitter primary, while Sali gets to save the bulk of his resources for the general election? That would be ironic — but it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
Delicious
Digg
Yahoo
Sali's Support
Wow, Sali actually picked up support from some conservative Republican's! This really is news.
Idaho can expect to be treated with a closing of the ranks by Republicans after the Craig issues, the poor performance of the President, and the dismal record and scandals of the Republican led congress. Republican's are circling the wagons early to try and build whatever momentum they can heading into a tough 2008 election.
possibility! How about probability.
There is no credible person who will challenge Salli. The Reb. primary is a meat grinder that chews up lives. Canypn County contols it. Salli is close enough to Canyon Co. pols that he is regarded as one of theirs. He was also well represented in Boundary Co. Prediction: Salli will be First Dist. congressman as long as he wishes to be such unless and until the Demos beat him. Any takers?
Come down off the rock & look at that last statement.
Sali will be First Dist. Congressman as long as he wishes to be such unless & until the Demos beat him? What sense did that make? If they beat him & he still wishes to be, he's still an idiot but at least he's no longer a Congressman. A monkey at the Boise zoo would be a better representative than BSali. They wouldn't have to fly a monkey to Florida in return for political favors either.
I guess nobody does their homework anymore
Sali didn't take Canyon County in the last election. His opponent, is all over the R's Central Committee Website and already has some old school names behind him. I looked at his website and he seems more than credible to me. Maybe that's why Sali's big announcement was a dud. I think what's more interesting is the Statesman's utter lack of coverage of this guy. The Tribune has had some stuff in it, and even a picture. I think you are right about Sali being close to Canyon County pols, but in the end its still one on one. Maybe we might all luck out and everyone will blow their cash up front and the two left standing will have to rely on communication with the voters rather than buying T.V. ads to win.
Of Course Congressman Sali Will Win!
I predict Congressman Bill Sali will win any election he runs in, like he always has. Senate, Governor, President -- anything is possible for Bill Sali, especially now that he has his own "YouTube" channel!
My Patriotic Pro-Sali Website!
Another deadbeat we'll never get rid of
Small change in corporate un-America's pocket doesn't get the people's work done, it just gets them killed in wars based on lies. I've seen phony politicians before but Sali is a little too obvious.
He could be one of those faith healers, a TV evangelist. Benny Hinn has nothing on Bill Sali. A comb over & slap them down to the ground, bada boom, your're healed, get up & walk. Leave a small token in the plate as you leave, 10% or 20%
is hardly enough for God'sali's work. Give me all your worldly possessions & you can walk with the Lord & Bill Sali in the Kingdom of BSali. Sounds like a dark alley.
When will the people learn? There were two articles in the Statesman yesterday, one about manufacturers paying surgeons, it was called bribes or kickbacks & the other about politcians taking trips. Sali was one of Idaho's illustrious representatives who took a trip, to Florida, {over $3,000} on some group that helped get him elected last time. Ate like royalty & stayed in a five star. Tell me that isn't a bribe or kickback.
Could or would any hard working American taxpayer buy a politician for $3,000? It's pennies on the dollar, considering the favors they get in return. Look at that AG bill. Almost $300 billion & illegal immigration/cheap labor Americans used to do for a living wage. Who is paying for that? We the People better get a lobbyist in DC to try to hang on to our $!
Campaign contributions are criminal to the tune of $9 trillion.
What about that other Republican candidate?
When I first read this blog post I thought it was interesting that no mention was made of the Republican challenger to Sali, Matt Salisbury. In fact, Mr. Richert said in his original blog post, "We're about six months away from the GOP primary and no name has advanced beyond the rumor stage." Considering the Statesman published my letter to the editor on the 5th, in which I asked for more coverage of Salisbury's campaign, this omission appears to show either an ignorance of Salisbury's campaign despite coverage of it in this paper or a purposeful bias against recognizing it. Either way, thanks for correcting this omission. While this is Salisbury's first major race, he looks to be a very viable contender with a long relationship with the Republican party, military experience, and several major figures supporting him. For anyone else unaware of or wishing to learn more about Salisbury's bid for Congress, check out his website at www.salisburyforidaho.org.
Matt's ring hat FLAT...
What does Salisbury have at stake?
So much for Democracy
I think foreignoregonian, your question should have been what do we have at stake?