Capitol Commentary
Idaho Senate Race: Vasquez Out, Who’s In?
By Jill Kuraitis, 4-26-07
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In the first casualty of the 2008 U.S. Senate Republican primary, former Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez has dropped out.
Vasquez said he can’t raise money – no surprise there – and, according to the Idaho Press-Tribune, faced fights “on too many fronts.”
That sounds like party politics – Vasquez said as much - and could be a signal that current Senator Larry Craig may not run again if an anointed successor is in place, who would have to be a candidate considered electable by Republican leaders.
That wouldn’t be Vasquez.
During this year’s legislative session, I couldn’t find a Republican lawmaker willing to go on the record supporting Vasquez. Considered a hothead by many, Vasquez’ extreme stance against illegal immigration got him crossed off lists of possible candidates. His statements that Idaho Republicans barely differ from Idaho Democrats puts him firmly in the extreme extremist’s camp.
Since there are now no Republicans formally running for Craig’s seat, the race is an unknown, but it’s early. Both U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Lt. Gov. Jim Risch have mentioned their interest in the race, but neither appears close to a decision. Craig continues to respond to the are-you-running question with an I’ll-let-you-know-in-the-fall.
Former Congressman Larry LaRocco is the only Democrat who has announced for the seat.
Though I wouldn’t base my vote entirely on the grammar and punctuation skills of a candidate, I have always found it, er, surprising that Vasquez’ campaign website is written like this:
“I am the proud father, of two wonderful young adults.”
“The Citizen’s of Canyon County, provided me the opportunity to serve, as Canyon County Commissioner.”
“In the past 40 years, I have proudly served my Country, State, and Community. I am now prepared and ready, to serve as Idaho’s next United States Senator! Let’s work together, and take our great Country, to a higher level of greatness!”
Now them are some, comma and, apostrophe violation’s, for you.
Vasquez is now doing some public relations work for the anti-immigration Minuteman Project, a group which President Bush has called “vigilantes” and which is considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and other civil rights organizations.
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Comments
Bush did not technically call the Minutemen vigilantes, but he did insinuate it, and his reputation has suffered from that dishonest statement.
It may be just as well that Vasquez was not the best choice to replace Craig, someone who supports the same progressive immigration policies as Vasquez but is not so strident in his or her rhetoric may be a better choice.
Although, the public firestorm against the Catastrophic Immigration Reform proposal being pushed by Bush and the Senate despite overwhelming public opposition has caused those who support progressive immigration policies to be more outspoken, to where Vasquez no longer comes across nearly as much as a "loose cannon".
As an example, the one controversial immigration provision passed by either house of Congress this year was the anti-sanctuary provision to the homeland security bill. The provision was sponsored by Tom Tancredo and passed 234 to 189, with the support of 50 Democrats.
(according to the Rocky Mountain News, shocking those on both sides)
As Tancredo said, "the times they are a changing"
There's a revolution brewing in this country, and the old fossils like Bush and Kennedy and McCain and Specter and Trent Lott represent the dying monarchy.
-Lance Sjogren
http://www.flushthesenate.org
It's open for a real conservative, because the RINOs (represented by the man who can't keep his thang in his pants) blew it! Run, Robert, run!!