UPDATE, 3:35 p.m.: The GOP responded with some snark, and some substantive criticism, dismissing a CNN report that says Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick faces "rosy" re-election prospects.
Republican Executive Director Jonathan Parker said the CNN piece painted, well, a rosy picture of the state's jobless and foreclosure rates, and overstated Minnick's support in tea party circles.
Parker also lampooned CNN for listing Spokane as a part of the 1st Congressional District. This error evidently appeared in an original version of the CNN article, but was edited.
Here is the GOP response, in full:
SPOKANE NATIVE JONATHAN PARKER, GOP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THANKS CNN FOR MAKING HIM A NATIVE-BORN IDAHOAN
“As much as the liberal media may try, shoddy journalism won’t save Walt Minnick on Election Day”
August 27, Boise. — Idaho GOP Executive Director today reacted with general hilarity to a news report from CNN.com which, among other things, proclaimed Spokane to be part of Idaho and commended the state on miraculously avoiding a downturn in the property market.
Parker states, “It is truly depressing to see the downfall in the standards of journalism in our country today, I am sure that even Walt Minnick is embarrassed to be mentioned in an article with as many errors and even fewer facts. Idaho is suffering during this crisis and whitewashing its condition to try and build up Walt Minnick won’t fool anyone.”
SEPARATING FACT FROM CNN FICTION:
"He's in favor of abortion rights and gun rights..." Walt Minnick has 100% NARAL record and 100% ACLU record, and a D+ from the NRA. Conversely, Raul Labrador has an A from the NRA and is endorsed by National Right to Life, which is in line with the district’s electorate.
"Voting with his party less than any member of Congress." Minnick votes with Pelosi 70% of the time.
"Tea party....nabbing support from local groups." No local Tea Party group has endorsed Minnick, conversely, the Boise Tea Party and others have endorsed Raul Labrador.
"Idaho's unemployment rate hasn't come close to the national average." National average is 9.5%, Idaho's is 8.8% which is the median, but certain counties in the 1st Congressional District have had double-digit unemployment for many months.
"[Idaho] managed to dodge the housing meltdown." Idaho has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. It has been in the Top 10 nationally.
"[This] may move this race even further down the GOP's priority list than it already seems to have sunk...." The RNC and State GOP are sinking unprecedented resources into this race.
Parker concluded, “As much as the liberal media may wish it would be so or try, even shoddy journalism won’t save Walt Minnick on Election Day.”
Here's my original post:
The 1st Congressional District is still on CNN's list of America's 100 hottest House races.
But today, the network gave a nod to the incumbent, Democrat Walt Minnick.
"Minnick — who defied the odds in 2008, winning a string of counties that backed John McCain over Barack Obama — seems poised to confound expectations yet again," CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand reported today.
Outside spending may still be a wild card in the race, Sinderbrand says: "Minnick's been a top GOP target since his win, and conservative groups like Freedom's Watch and the Club for Growth spent big here last time around." But, she notes, Minnick holds a large fundraising edge over Republican challenger Raul Labrador.
I don't have anything to add here. But it's always interesting to get a national read on a race — especially one that, ostensibly, has national implications.
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CNN, loves their Tea Party Dem.
Only way he loses is if Barry shows up. 17-1 cash advantage for Minnick, it's over.
Minnick votes for Idaho...
...as long as Pelosi doesn't need his vote. He also doesn't understand his responsibility in evaluating the constitutionality of legislation saying on more than one occasion that it is the Supreme Court's job.
Will the Idaho voters allow the purchase of this seat? Just because he has the out of state cash to spend doesn't secure the win. Supporting abortion and opposing gun rights are not Idaho values.
Do you want to chance that Minnick would vote for Idaho against Pelosi, (Walt's first vote was for Pelosi's queenship), Reid, (maybe he won't be there) and Barry Soentoro? (barry most likely will be there for a while yet, despite his record and birth certificate issue)
It is not worth the risk. We need some one that will vote with Idaho, not Pelosi!
I didn't hear anyone complaining
about "out of state cash" when Bill Sali got big donations from the Club for Growth.
General Hilarity
seems to be the norm for this clown Parker.
Who is ROSY and how's her vote helping?
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"Say a prayer for the pretender..."-Jackson Browne
Voters will decide if Minnick returns ... NOT CNN or CNBC
The real test for Minnick is going to be with Idaho voters in November. I think he has a lot of "esplaining to do" if he wants to represent Idaho in Congress in the next term.
The power of the media is always in play in trying to shape "public opinion" and sway people to "follow their headlines". CNN is long on rhetoric and short on substance. The original CNN post did include Spokane as part of Idaho's 1st Congressional District. Sheesh! Consider the source.
Excellent comment!
Excellent comment! Your are right, minnick has a lot of explaining to do and to come straight with Idaho voters.
Idaho does not want any more of this obama administration.
Yet mr. minnick will not deny that if you vote for walt minnick you will be voting for the crazy power mad nasty pelosi!
We need jobs for Idaho and America! No more of their lies and tax cuts that do only harm.
Are you mixed up? Tax cuts are your thing, aren't they?
YOU ALL CAN'T MARRY PELOSI! STOP LUSTING.
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"Say a prayer for the pretender..."-Jackson Browne