Shortly after the '06 elections, I encouraged Kossacks to contact Larry Grant, and to try to convince him to take on Larry Craig in 2008.  With the rumors about Craig's sexuality and at least one challenger from the right-wing, I suggested that Craig might retire, and that even if he didn't, as part of the 50 state strategy, it would be a good idea to get a strong candidate in the race early.  

Last week, mcjoan caught a post by 43rdstateblues about some servers at the Arid Club (one of Boise's premiere R hangouts) who "overheard" some discussion about replacing Craig.  Today, 43rdstateblues has another catch, regarding an op-ed by an east Idaho GOPer who is openly discussing Craig's retirement and possible replacement.

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As we celebrate our victories these days, I found it difficult at the same time not to feel a little mournful for all of the great candidates we found to contest races all over the country who lost their races.  Over the last few months, I've come to have a lot of loyalty and emotion invested in them, and it's hard not to feel a little down for all of those who lost.

Then I realized that was a ridiculous and defeatist outlook to take.  These courageous men and women, even if they are not now headed to Congress, are just as much part of the 50-state strategy team as those who won.  People like Joe Courtney or Patrick Murphy wouldn't have won their close races without their help, and unexpected victors like Nancy Boyda and Harry Mitchell probably wouldn't have had a chance if the Republican machine hadn't already been stretched to the breaking point.

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Cross-posted at dailykos.  

The next cycle has already started.  Here in Idaho, we've made little real headway against the Republican hegemony.  The one, and I mean one (1), bright spot in yesterday's election was Larry Grant's performance against Bill Sali.  Jerry Brady has run for governor twice, and couldn't break 45%.  Jana Jones lost the School Superintendant Race to Tom "Lunatic" Luna, which means we lost the only statewide office currently held by a Dem (Marilyn Howard, who's retiring).  I could go on, but what's the point?  

We've got to keep hope alive in this state, and the only glimmer of it I see is Larry Grant.  We need a candidate for the next cycle to help energize IdaDems.  I say we recruit Larry Grant to run for Senate.

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If somebody had told me six months ago that I would be campaigning in Boise, Idaho during the final two weeks before the election, I would have suggested rest and medication.  But here I am, Monday morning, on my way to Boise, not just for our candidate for Congress, Larry Grant, but the entire Democratic ticket--Jerry Brady for Governor and former Congressman Larry LaRocco for Lt Governor.  They are all managing amazing races and have upset the National Republican Party.  Recent campaign stops from Dennis Hastert, Dick Cheney, and Ken Melman, the RNC Chair are evidence, as is the hundreds of thousands of dollar that the national party never expected to invest.  Cheney is even coming again this week.

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Blue Catapult PAC has made Larry Grant's quest for Congress in Idaho's 1st congressional districts its 10th race in which it is supporting a Democrtaic Challenger.

Normally Idaho would not be a state friendly to Democratic candidates, but Larry Grant is different. Not only is he well-qualified, reasonable and thoughtful on the issues, his opponent, Club for Growth (should be called "The Club for Debt") backed candidate Bill Sali is so reviled by even elected officials of his own Republican Party, that "Republicans for Grant" has become a major element of the campaign.

The Republican Party has spent tens of thousands of dollars in a district that normally they would leave alone as a certain Republican seat. But Larry Grant's rising campaign and the Republican Party nominating an extremist has changed the equation, making Larry a great choice for Blue Catapult's 10th adoption.

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