Friday, September 1, 2006

Dems turn out for Grant fund-raiser

District 2 residents open wallets for District 1 candidate


By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

Larry Grant, Democratic candidate for Idaho's 1st Congressional District, campaigns at a fund-raiser Tuesday. During the event, hosted by Ketchum residents Alan and Melinda Blinken, Grant outlined his reasons for running, as well as his theory why a Democrat can win the seat in November. Grant is running against Republican and former state Rep. Bill Sali for the seat being vacated by C.L. "Butch" Otter. Photo by Willy Cook

Retired corporate executive Larry Grant has many times enjoyed the recreational offerings of the Wood River Valley. But his visit Tuesday was more work than play.

Grant made his first appearance in the area as a political hopeful, attending a fund-raiser at the home of Alan and Melinda Blinken.

The one-time Micron vice president and attorney is taking on state Rep. Bill Sali for Idaho's 1st Congressional District seat in Washington, D.C.

That seat is being vacated by C.L. "Butch" Otter, who is running for Idaho governor.

Although the 1st District doesn't include Blaine County, Grant found a welcome reception among area Democrats.

"We won't be able to vote for him," former Gov. John Evans told the gathering. "But we want to be able to help him."

"We really need to change this government," said the event's host, Alan Blinken, former U.S. ambassador to Belgium and a former U.S. Senate candidate. "We can't change the White House. We have to change the House, and that is our best shot this year."

Grant, like his opponent, knows that maintenance of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives is far from certain.

"We have some supporters here who understand the race is important, and we have a real opportunity to pick up a seat in Idaho," he said in an interview with the Idaho Mountain Express. The chance, he said, is "actually very good."

Sali has locked in some segments of the conservative vote, gaining endorsements from groups such as National Right to Life and Gun Owners of America. Sali served 16 years in the state Legislature and beat out five opponents in last spring's primary.

So how does a Democrat plan to win in a district that Congressional Quarterly rates as a "safe Republican" seat?

"Right now it probably doesn't matter if you're a Democrat," Grant said. "Everybody knows things are messed up, and we need to get them fixed. It doesn't matter your party affiliation."

Grant says issues like fiscal responsibility, the Iraq war policy, and government ethics speak to all voters.

"Spending is out of control. Corruption is a problem. Government is broke. The war in Iraq isn't going anywhere," he said. "The first thing we need to do is get balance and common sense back into government. Partisanship is so bad, we can't seem to get together and solve problems. We need to get moderates to buck leadership and tell extremists to sit in the corner."

Grant said Congress needs to be more assertive in its role.

"The president is exercising his executive authority," he said. "This Congress has let him run rampant. The problem is Congress. Congress isn't doing its job."

"Part of the problem with the Democratic Party is we haven't been a very good minority party," he added. "We haven't held their feet to the fire and made sure they're doing the right thing."

Grant and his supporters are encouraged by the way Sali has seemingly alienated some fellow Republicans.

"A lot of folks in the Republican Party ... are not happy with their choice," Grant said. "Even the vice president (Dick Cheney) had to come (to Idaho). I think it's clear the Republican Party realizes they're in trouble."

Grant said he already has enlisted a cadre of Republicans who are organizing support for him.

"We need to work very, very hard to return this country to a position of respect," he said. "That's the thing I want to do most."

Although Grant found a welcoming atmosphere in Blaine County, he acknowledges obstacles exist between him and Washington.

"That's the challenge for me," he said. "Get my name out there ... and let people know it's OK to vote for a Democrat when the country's in trouble."




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