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Bill Sali mulls a run at his old office

But a spokesman for Walt Minnick says it's too early for the congressman to start thinking about elections.

BY DAN POPKEY - dpopkey@idahostatesman.com

Published: 04/26/09

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION TO TARGET NEW DEMOCRATS

Accountability Now, a coalition of activists and labor unions, has begun raising money to mount primary challenges to some Democrats.

Director Jeff Hauser said the organization recognizes that ideologies vary widely by region but is concerned that new members eager to raise money for re-election are being too strongly influenced by business and lobbying interests.

"There was an agenda that Democrats were elected to enact," he said. "What we fear is that lobbyist-funded members will push the consensus away from what the people elected members to do."

The group is still determining which members to target. But Hauser said the group will not shy away from going after vulnerable Democrats in conservative districts if it sees them as out of step.

Such movements have proved effective in the past, most notably against Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who was forced to become an independent after losing the Democratic primary in 2006. Some moderates like Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick, however, don't appear concerned. Minnick said his district is fiscally conservative and that's how he votes.

Asked what makes him a Democrat, he said he disagrees with Republicans that "the solution to every economic situation is a big tax cut."

"You have to realize that there are some things with government spending that are essential," Minnick said. "My big concern is deficits. Democrats are spending too much, and Republicans are too much in the Dick Cheney mode of, 'Deficits don't matter.' "

Former GOP Congressman Bill Sali says he has been repeatedly urged to pursue a rematch with Rep. Walt Minnick, D-Idaho, and is asking supporters to pray for him and his family as he weighs whether to run in 2010.

In an e-mail titled "Our future" and sent by his congressional campaign Saturday, Sali wrote that he is "increasingly troubled by the direction our country is headed."

He described his experience at two recent public events in the Treasure Valley - the anti-tax Tea Party in Boise and a National Rifle Association banquet in Nampa.

About the Tea Party, Sali wrote, "Many of my supporters were there and everyone that I talked with encouraged me to run for Congress again."

About the NRA event, he wrote, "I saw more of my friends and was repeatedly encouraged to make the run for Congress again."

Minnick spokesman John Foster said Saturday night: "Walt has had a very successful first 100 days in office and we're focused on continuing to do good work for the people of the 1st Congressional District. Election Day is a long way away."

Sali said in his e-mail that Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the Republican Conference in the House, advised him to take a break from politics after losing the election by a 51-49 percent margin. The race was the most expensive ever in Idaho for either of the state's two House seats.

Wrote Sali: "(I)rrespective of what happened in the last election, my season of rest is ending and I must now decide what path I will pursue for the future. That is why I am writing to you.

"I ask that you please keep me and my family in prayer as we weigh all the factors that must go into this decision. We will need God's help."

Sali has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission allowing him to raise funds, but has consistently said he hasn't made up his mind about 2010.

His campaign reported raising $2,352 in the quarter ending March 31. He still owes creditors $111,084 from his 2008 race.

Vaughn Ward of Eagle, a Marine veteran, has declared for the GOP nomination and raised $50,100 in the first quarter. State Treasurer Ron Crane is also considering the race, as is state Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438

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