R. Keith Roark: GOP still has majority in Idaho, but Democrats are catching up

In his comments (Reader's View, Nov. 17) about the 2008 Idaho general election, Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko took pains to assure everyone that his party is alive and well. The nation is bogged down in two costly wars, our economy is in the worst shape since the Great Depression and our standing with other nations reached its lowest point during the Bush years. But here in Idaho, Mr. Semanko tells us, the GOP - the party that got us where we are today - is alive and well. That's not necessarily good news, Norm, but the future is not as dismal as your words suggest.

While Barack Obama took 36 percent of Idaho's vote, that was far better than John Kerry's 30 percent in 2004 and Al Gore's 28 percent in 2000. Obama's showing clearly demonstrates a growth trend for Idaho Democrats.

President-elect Obama's vote total in Idaho was 55,000 votes greater than John Kerry's total in 2004, while John McCain gathered about 7,000 fewer votes than George W. Bush just four years ago.

Most significantly of all, 43 of 44 Idaho counties voted more Democratic in the 2008 presidential contest than in 2004.

Historically, presidential years have been hard on Idaho Democrats, costing us an average of 5 to 7 seats in the Legislature. This year, we lost only one seat, and that loss came as a result of a shamelessly negative campaign against Rep. Jerry Shively of Idaho Falls. Republicans challenged every one of our Ada County legislative incumbents with big money and strong candidates - and lost every race.

For the first time in 16 years, Idaho is sending a Democrat to Congress. Mr. Semanko would have the public believe this is because Walt Minnick simply outspent Bill Sali.

While I delight in seeing a Republican chairman, of all people, complaining about a Democratic candidate spending too much money, the claim that money decided the election is preposterous and insulting to the voters of the 1st Congressional District. Walt Minnick was elected because the voters want someone who can and will work tirelessly to address their concerns about jobs, health care and education in an informed, effective manner.

Those same voters recognized that Bill Sali's buffoonish behavior and vaudevillian publicity stunts were unproductive at best and embarrassing to the district at worst.

Democrats are still in the minority in Idaho, but the demographic trends are very much in our favor. For a sign of things to come, look no further than Caldwell High School. Not only did Barack Obama win the mock election there by more than a two-to-one margin, down-ballot Democrats Minnick, Larry LaRocco and state legislative candidate Mike Warwick won, too.

Idaho's young people are looking to Democrats to address the issues of the future, and they're turning away from the shrill and negative views of an increasingly extremist Republican Party.

2008 has been a year of unprecedented energy in the Idaho Democratic Party.

From the chilly February morning when more than 14,000 people came to hear our next president speak at Boise State University, to record-breaking attendance at the presidential caucuses four nights later, to the veritable army of young volunteers in our get-out-the-vote centers throughout the state, energized Idahoans are now plugging into their state and county Democratic parties.

Idaho Democrats look forward to fighting for Idaho's middle class in the 2009 Idaho Legislature, and we're laying the groundwork now for electoral success in 2010 and beyond. We invite you to learn more and get involved by visiting www.idaho-democrats.org.

R. Keith Roark is chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party.