Robert Vasquez, we hardly knew ye. Actually, Idahoans knew ye all too well - as a single-issue flamethrower - and that's why your Senate campaign went nowhere. Idahoans may differ on how to resolve the nation's illegal immigration situation, but most of us agree that relentlessly demonizing Latinos and Mexico won't solve anything.
But wait ... Larry Craig, should he decide to run, may not have a free pass toward the GOP nomination after all. Boise City Councilman Alan Shealy told Boise Weekly that he may run for the Senate as a Republican. (Boise elects its mayor and council on a nonpartisan basis.) So the current scorecard reads:
Democrats:
Larry LaRocco - yes
Republicans:
Larry Craig - ????!
Robert Vasquez - no (dinero)
Alan Shealy - maybe
Jim Risch - Only if Craig opts out (he says, fingers crossed behind his back, secretly wishing for just that).
Mike Simpson - Possibly, if Craig doesn't run.
The rank indecision and jittery deference on the GOP side can only help LaRocco, especially if he can outraise Craig this quarter.
Update May 2, 2007: The Idaho Statesman reported today that Alan Shealy isn't sure whether he'd run as a Democrat or a Republican, if he runs at all.
Alan Shealy running for Senate? Congratulations, Julie, you found a Senate Candidate I'd like even less than Larry LaRocco.
Posted by: Adam Graham | April 27, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Adam,
I was actually a bit surprised to read that Shealy is one of yours (an R, that is).
And the fact you don't like Larry LaRocco may win him some votes, don't you think?! Please keep writing about that. Thanks!
Posted by: Julie in Boise | April 27, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Its pretty clear to everyone that LaRocco doesnt stand much chance of winning. I am a D but i can still look at it and see that he alienated too many people across the state and the power of the people he is running against cannot be underestimated.
Posted by: Guy | April 30, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Guy,
I recently learned one thing about LaRocco that can't be explained away:
In 1992, after his first term in Congress, he won every single county in the 1st District *and* he won by 50,000 votes. Bill Clinton won only a handful of Idaho counties that same year, and his unpopularity in Idaho wound up LaRocco's undoing (and that of so many other Dems) in 1994.
Clearly, LaRocco must have had a great first term and proven himself. I lived in the Magic Valley at the time and so I don't recall why LL was so popular in 1992. Still ... every county. I'm not ready to write him off.
Posted by: Julie in Boise | April 30, 2007 at 12:52 PM
I have heard from more than one top politico in the state and in DC that LaRocco cant win. I hear Simpson doesnt plan on running, and if this is the case (along with Craigs retirement) then it will be the rematch everyone expects. And i just dont see Risch as beatable in Idaho. He is a campaigning machine and can raise tons of money. To Larocco good luck but I just dont see him winning in a statewide election. (sorry about the other post i didnt mean to post over there)
Posted by: Guy | April 30, 2007 at 04:40 PM
I'm just happy Vasquez got a dose of karma! And it bit him where it hurts the most the election he was going to lose to begin with, when you just fight on one topic that can get old pretty quick and after the stunt with the college republicans at BSU its no wonder nobody wanted to give him money. Nobody wants to support someone who is involved in controversy.
Posted by: Jenesis | May 02, 2007 at 10:46 AM