The Wood River Valley is fast becoming a regular stop for political candidates on the road to Washington, D.C.
This August, Republican presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean have scheduled private fundraising events in Ketchum and Sun Valley.
Dean's DNC fundraiser is slated for Aug. 8, and Giuliani is scheduled to be in Ketchum Aug. 23. Both events are private, and exact locations have not been disclosed.
Giuliani's campaign has been working closely with part-time Ketchum resident Rockwell Schnabel to facilitate the event. Schnabel is the former U.S. ambassador to the European Union under President George W. Bush.
"I think the state of Idaho is an important state," Schnabel said. "There is a well-informed cross-section of people on both sided of the aisle, up and down the (Wood River) valley."
Although the event will be attended by invitation only, Schnabel said many attendees would be local and would include both Republicans and Democrats.
"People come to these events with all levels of understanding and awareness about a candidate," Schnabel said. "I feel very strongly about giving local people a chance to connect with the candidate."
Roughly six months ago, Schnabel hosted an event for Giuliani in California, his other state of residence.
His recent affiliation with the Giuliani campaign is tantamount to an endorsement for Giuliani's presidential bid, Schnabel said.
"I think Giuliani has done a tremendous job in New York on both the economy and security," Schnabel said. "I think he has strong convictions, and those convictions appeal to both sides of the aisle."
Giuliani has made news around the nation and waves among Republican stalwarts for his departure from his party's line on several pivotal issues. He supports gay rights, abortion rights, immigration rights and gun control.
According to a Washington Post-ABC News telephone poll—conducted from July 18 to 21, and with a 3 percent margin for error—37 percent of GOP voters supported Giuliani, while 16 percent supported Sen. John McCain. Another 15 percent supported former Sen. Fred Thompson, and 8 percent supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
The poll also found that 45 percent of those asked said that, of the Republican candidates, Giuliani had the best chance to win the presidency, compared with 15 percent for Thompson, 10 percent for McCain and 9 percent for Romney.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is scheduled to hold a picnic in Pocatello on Aug. 8. The picnic will be open to the media and the public. Immediately afterward he will make his way to Sun Valley for a private fundraising dinner.
Dean achieved national notoriety with his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004. Dean had previously served in Vermont's House of Representatives and then as lieutenant governor and governor.
Dean said on the Democratic National Committee Web site that the goal of this year's election is to make "the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory." Dean's visit to the predominantly Republican enclave of Idaho appears to be the manifestation of his mission statement.
"As part of the DNC 50 States Strategy, we'll be traveling to all states, big and small," said Luis Miranda, DNC spokesman. "We respect people enough to take the time to present our position and to present a choice to the voters."
Miranda said that as part of that strategy the DNC has had staffers working in Idaho for some time.
"We want Dems winning up and down the ticket, not just at the presidential and legislative levels," he said. "That means were going to contest the issues in every county. We're going to fight for every vote."
Who will win the Democratic nomination for president is still quite up in the air.
In a July 23 Newsday poll, Democratic voters were asked which candidate has the best chance of winning the 2008 presidential election, and 54 percent said Sen. Hillary Clinton; 22 percent said Sen. Barack Obama; and 9 percent said former Sen. John Edwards. Among Democratic-leaning independents, 44 percent said Clinton; 25 percent said Obama; and 11 percent said Edwards.
Photo courtesy of Democratic National Committee
DNC Chairman Howard Dean is set to make appearances in Pocatello and Sun Valley on Aug. 8.
Photo courtesy of Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will attend a private fundraiser in Ketchum on Aug. 23.
