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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>From today’s (October 29, 2004) Spokesman Review.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>For those of you that are convinced that the Idaho
Democratic Party is ineffective (Are you listening, Dale “Doug’s
Boy” Courtney). For some reason Idaho looks a little bluer this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Local Dems out-raise GOP <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Interest in presidential contest, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> war swells legislative war
chests <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Erica Curless<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Staff writer<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>October 29, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>This year North Idaho Democrats have something often missing
in past elections – money.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Coeur d'Alene</st1:place></st1:City>
the Democratic candidates for the Idaho Legislature are out-raising the
Republicans. One of the largest war chests statewide is for a Democrat in
District 1, which stretches to the Canadian border. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>But it's still a guess whether the cash will help
legislative candidates win seats in Tuesday's election, sending more Democrats
to balance the Republican-dominated Legislature.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"It's not an organized effort," said Bill
Kersting, Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee chairman. "There's
just so much interest in this election that a great many people are getting
involved."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>And that means people are writing checks and volunteering
their time to stuff envelopes and knock on doors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>He said it's not the local legislative races that are
getting people fired up. Instead it's the contentious presidential campaign
sparked by interest in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region>
invasion, Kersting said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Yet he acknowledges the national spotlight gives energy to
local races.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The latest campaign finance report, which details all the
money raised through Oct. 25, shows that District 4 Democrat candidates have
larger war chests than their GOP challengers. Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur
d'Alene, raised $24,364 compared to Republican candidate and political newcomer
Dan Yake, who has $19,660.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In the district's other House race, Democrat Mike Gridley
has raised $37,025 compared to Republican Marge Chadderdon's $23,653.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Kootenai County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Donna Montgomery said she isn't aware of what the Democrats have been doing
because she's too busy trying to get Republicans elected.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"If the Democrats are as riled up as the Republicans
about this campaign then they probably do have more funds," <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Montgomery</st1:place></st1:City> said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The candidate who has raised the most of any legislative
candidate in <st1:place w:st="on">North Idaho</st1:place> –$63,088
– is water resources scientist Steve Elgar, a Democrat running for the
Idaho House in District 1. If Elgar wins the open seat it perhaps would mean
Democrats could regain a foothold in a former area of strength. Just a decade
ago, the district was represented entirely by Democrats in the state
Legislature, and now is represented entirely by Republicans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Elgar's Republican challenger Eric Anderson has $26,214,
while Constitution Party candidate Frank Reichert raised only $838 by Oct. 10.
Reichert hasn't filed a more recent report.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In District 5, which covers <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Post</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Falls</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
the Republicans have the most money. Even though the district boundaries have
changed, it's been about a decade since this area sent a Democrat to <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boise</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Republican Bob Nonini is the top fund-raiser of all the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kootenai</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> candidates with $48,598. Democrat
challenger David Larsen has raised $22,291 while Constitution Party candidate
Rose Johnson has $471.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Nonini said all the candidates are working hard because they
know money matters. And he said many candidates are putting their own personal
wealth into the race.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The former Republican Central Committee chairman gave
$10,000 to his campaign during the May primary and so far has repaid only
$2,900. Larsen loaned his campaign $2,000 Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>For the other House race, Republican Frank Henderson, a
former <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Post</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Falls</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> mayor and Kootenai County
Commissioner, has $21,824. Democrat challenger Lyndon Harriman, a local school
teacher, has $4,567.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Also in District 5, Sen. Dick Compton, R-Coeur d'Alene, has
$17,788. That's $12,778 more than Democrat challenger Ian Stenseng, a 24-year
old political newcomer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Boise</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> political
science professor Jim Weatherby said the Democrats need money to win.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>He said the party is concentrating on getting local and
legislative candidates elected instead of putting all their effort and
resources into the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>
congressional and senate races.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"They can build from that a foundation," Weatherby
said. "And for the party that will develop greater credibility to entice
candidates to step forward with the prospect that they may actually win a major
race."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Kersting said he doesn't think that was the party's
strategy. For the federal races, he said viable Democrat candidates just didn't
come forward and there wasn't heavy recruitment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is being challenged by
write-in Democrat Scott McClure of Jerome. U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, R-Idaho, is
facing Democrat Naomi Preston of Eagle, a political newcomer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Yet he said the Democrats do have a heavy focus on
legislative races.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"We're really working to get out the vote," he said<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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