Put That In Your Pipe and Smoke It

Julie's riposte to Popkey's "Grant doesn't listen" article* is up. Julie notes that Popkey didn't name any Dem source, and she posts an effective reply to the article.

Adam G opines that Dem long knives are coming out early in order to clear the way for Rand Lewis. Without knowing who Popkey talked to, this is a leap too far. It's more likely that the Rs Popkey talked to are trying to hobble Grant, and Popkey is helping them.

Even though many Rs didn't support Sali in the 2006 election, much of that was residual hard feelings from the R primary. Now that Sali's in: 1) he hasn't completely, earth-shatteringly embarrassed the Idaho R party, which seems to be what it would take for Idaho Rs to reject a sitting R congressman, and 2) Idaho Rs are getting used to Sali, he's made noises about getting along with Simpson, so let bygones be bygones. In other words, expect Idaho Rs to coalesce around Sali.

Thus, it makes sense that Rs would lob a preemptive strike toward the Dem candidate who almost beat Sali, in order to take him out early. Rand Lewis may be a fine candidate, but he's an unknown, whereas Grant has proven that he is a strong candidate for the district. No doubt Grant learned much in his first campaign; he will be a stronger candidate the second time around.

*I'd link to the article, but it's not listed on the Popkey page on the Statesman's website, nor does it appear on the Opinion page. It's probably there, somewhere, but if they're making it that hard to find, I guess they don't want it linked to.