For the record, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark hasn't endorsed in the presidential race — and won't endorse before Tuesday's caucuses. But the Hailey attorney acknowledges both the emotional and practical reasons why many Idahoans have gravitated towards Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. And those practical considerations have to weigh heavily on a party chairman who is hoping Tuesday's caucuses draw a big turnout and represent, for the state's minority party, "a significant step on the journey back to relevancy." The stakes for Roark, and Idaho Democratic candidates, only begin with the coattail effect — or, more accurately, the inverse of a coattail effect. The notion that a Hillary Clinton nomination would hurt other candidates has passed into Idaho political convention wisdom. Even Roark, the neutral, acknowledges this fact, albeit gingerly. "She is not the ideal candidate for Idaho Democrats to be running with"/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.
Question: Is conventional wisdom in Idaho correct? Would Idaho D's benefit more if Obama was the the party's nominee for president instead of Hillary?
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
Chairman Keith Roark hasn't endorsed in the presidential race — and won't endorse before Tuesday's caucuses. But the Hailey attorney acknowledges both the emotional and practical reasons why many Idahoans have gravitated towards Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. And those practical considerations have to weigh heavily on a party chairman who is hoping Tuesday's caucuses draw a big turnout and represent, for the state's minority party, "a significant step on the journey back to relevancy." The stakes for Roark, and Idaho Democratic candidates, only begin with the coattail effect — or, more accurately, the inverse of a coattail effect. The notion that a Hillary Clinton nomination would hurt other candidates has passed into Idaho political convention wisdom. Even Roark, the neutral, acknowledges this fact, albeit gingerly. "She is not the ideal candidate for Idaho Democrats to be running with"/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.
