Red State Rebels

Notes from the blogosphere

Just a few notes from the blogosphere ... my essay on how red-state expats ought to support their home state Democratic parties is featured this morning (Saturday, December 20) on the politics front page at The Huffington Post. (Here's a direct link, too. Please send it to Idaho friends and family who've moved to more progressive climes.)

Canyon County is inching Demward and it's already home to several bloggers including the estimable MountainGoat and Unequivocal Notion. Now it's also home to the Western Democrat, a new podcast-based blog. Check it out. Also, the Canyon County Democrats invite Democratic actvists from across southwestern Idaho to a planning session set for January 3 at the Nampa Civic Center. The time to get ready for 2010 is now.

Speaking of MountainGoat, MG and Tara from The Political Game have teamed up to launch a Zeb Bell page to chronicle the most egregious utterings of Idaho's own wingnut radio host and his "festering refuge for hate speech." It's already starting to get some coverage in the national blogosphere. You'll find all the info you need to take Bell (and his advertisers) to task for his racist, homophobic, xenophobic, theocratic crap. Have at it. 

Finally, a reminder: the Idaho Democratic Party is interested in seeing independent, grassroots watchblogs established in legislative districts represented by some of the state's most regressive Republicans. If you'd like to help with this effort, shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll get you into the loop.

Happy holidays!

Idaho mobilizes for Obama visit to Elko

Update 9/22/08: Here are some photos sent in by the Twin Falls crew from their trip to Elko last week.

A group of 17 of us from Twin Falls, and eight others from Minidoka and Sun Valley volunteered at Obama’s rally in Elko, Nevada, on September 17. We carpooled to Elko on Tuesday night, then were at the  the city park by 8 a.m. Obama had incorporated his economic plans into this speech, and my favorite line as quoted by Slate “questioned whether McCain could make good on his challenge to take on the "old boys' network." With so many former lobbyists in his campaign, said Obama, "the old boys' network is what they call a staff meeting.”

Here’s the good news about Twin Falls County Democrats: I had an email from Kassie Cerami (Idaho Obama organizer) on Sunday saying Idaho had been asked for twenty volunteers. I didn’t understand until Monday at noon that all twenty were being asked for from Twin Falls. We managed to find 25 volunteers by the time we left Tuesday night. I especially want to thank the LaRocco campaign for letting us take Matt Kopydlowski and all of you who rearranged your life to take part in the Obama campaign.

RSR v2.0 is one year old today

Red State Rebels has been around as a blog for almost five years, but the multi-author version is one year old today. I'd like to thank the authors listed below who helped write 572 posts over the past 12 months; the people who posted 3,257 comments; and everyone who reads this blog, whether faithfully or occasionally. Together, we are bringing real debate and two-party government back to Idaho. Here's to the next year, and especially the next two months. ~ Julie Fanselow (a.k.a. The Blogmother)

Branden Durst, Brett Adler, Brian Cronin, Chris, Chryssa Rich,  Dean Ferguson, Debbie Holmes, Deborah Silver, Don Rosebrock, Elizabeth Wasson, Jessica Cavalieri, Jim Hansen, John Foster, Kurt Holzer, Lane Startin, Larry Grant, Larry LaRocco, Linda Langness, Ryan Hill, Sara E. Anderson, Serephin, Sheryl Dowlin, Steven Mercado, Tara Rowe, The Nickel-Plated JA, theresa reel, T.J. Thomson,  and William Thomas.

Twin Falls Dems enjoy summer picnic

Twin Falls County Democrats held their annual picnic on July 26 at beautiful Centennial Park in the Snake River Canyon.  Over 80 people attended the event, including Larry LaRocco. LaRocco had spent the earlier part of the day at the airshow in Twin Falls.  James Ruchti legislator from Bannock (district 29), presented Twin Falls County Democrats with a check for $600. He commended the efforts the committee has made in the last year. Local candidates from legislative district 23, Mike Ihler, Bill Chisholm, and Peter Rickards attended.  Peter had donned a t-shirt depicting his arrest in Glenns Ferry. Also in attendance: Scott McClure candidate from district 26 and Dave Maestas. Strings Attached played, courtesy of Mike McCarthy.

The annual picnic raised over $1100 in addition to the generous donation of $600 by James Ruchti.

Check out the LaRocco field office in Twin Falls

Former Congressman and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Larry LaRocco, will be in Twin Falls, Monday, March 31st, to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the Twin Falls County field office. The office is located at 184 Gooding St W in Twin Falls and the open house is from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Field organizer, Eric Everett has been working feverishly in the Magic Valley and welcomes all to attend. Ribbon cutting is hosted by the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce.  In attendance will be Carolyn Elexpuru, candidate for legislative district 24; Bill Chisholm, Mike Ihler, and Peter Rickards, candidates for district 23.

Twin Falls Democrats-legislative candidates

This is my initial experience announcing legislative candidates. When I took the position of county chair, not quite a year ago, I thought we were another election cycle away from having a strong slate of candidates.  Subsequent events have proven me wrong. Not only do we have strong candidates for this race, there is strong support coming from our 53 Neighborhood Leaders. We are planning on working diligently for all our Democratic candidates but are especially proud to have the following candidates for state legislature.

Carolyn Elexpuru has filed for State Representative in Legislative 24, position B against Sharon Block. Carolyn is a former Gooding county commissioner.

 

In Legislative District #23, Bill Chisholm has filed for state senator. Peter Rickards has filed for state representative Position A, and Mike Ihler for State representative position B.

Further,  our Jerome county neighbor Scott McClure is filing for state senator in legislative district 26.

 

 

 

 

Twin Falls Democrats ... we're here

There will be an observance of the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war March 18 at Twin Falls City Park Jeff Ruprecht is heading the event ([email protected]). Diana Rowe Pauls of Gooding will speak, as will Randy Johnson, Iraq war veteran, and Steve Mercado, president of the Young Democrats at CSI.

Pizza and Politics will be at Gertie's, 602 2nd Ave S on March 22 at 6:30 pm. Wendy Jacquet will let us know just what has really been going on in the legislature.

We are gathering steam for the coming months.  People are saying yes when asked to help. We have garnered 51 Neighborhood Leaders and have 21 signed petitions for precinct captains.

Twin Falls County Democrats and Larry LaRocco are opening an office in the Old Times News Building. A literature drop is planned for Saturday March 15 for Larry's senate campaign.

We are entering the coercion stage in our search for legislative candidates.

For more info, please see the Twin Falls Democrats web site.