Thread: Minnick (ID-D) Surprised By Tea Party Express Endorsement

News > Local NewsTea party endorsement catches Democrat Walt Minnick, his challengers off-guard
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD - ebolstad@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman
Published: 04/16/10

The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The most influential national tea party group, backed by a $3 million campaign war chest, surprised Idahoans by endorsing freshman Rep. Walt Minnick's re-election bid. Not all local tea partyers were pleased.

Minnick is the only Democrat in the nation to land an endorsement from the Tea Party Express, the most prominent national organization in the burgeoning political movement.

Tea Party Express announced its slate of endorsements - and targets - at a rally in Washington held to mark the April 15 federal income tax deadline.

"We can't be just a Republican organization. We've got to be an influential force in both political parties," said Sal Russo, a veteran GOP political consultant and one of the forces behind the Tea Party Express. "We have to reward some Democrats thathave been willing to stand with us on the tough issues."

But a Boise tea party organizer said local leaders weren't consulted about the Minnick endorsement, and they were puzzled by it.

"We don't know where the national tea party came up with the endorsement of Walt Minnick," said Russ Smerz of Tea Party Boise. "It's a little concerning to us that Tea Party Express would endorse someone in the state of Idaho without consulting us first. We're not endorsing any candidate at this time - including Walt Minnick."

Minnick's campaign didn't solicit the endorsement, said spokesman John Foster. Minnick doesn't agree with all aspects of the tea party movement, Foster said, but the campaign welcomes support from a broad range of people.

"Walt has worked very hard to show that he can represent a wide variety of interests," Foster said.

Minnick was endorsed by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League in 2008. He's also seen support this year in the form of donations from individual members of firefighters and carpenters unions, Foster said.

Foster said Minnick suspects the endorsement came in part because of his voting record on fiscal issues: He voted against last year's economic-stimulus law, cap-and-trade legislation and the health care overhaul. Those three are among the five fundamental proposals the Tea Party Express has fought.

Also, Foster said, Minnick was the only member of the Idaho congressional delegation to attend a tea party town hall in Boise in August, at the height of the national fervor over health care reform. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, participated in the event over the phone.

The two Republicans who are vying to face Minnick in November were just as baffled as Smerz. Vaughn Ward and state Rep. Raul Labrador spent the past two days campaigning at two separate tea party events in Idaho.

"The endorsements I care about are Idaho endorsements," Ward said.

Labrador said he saw the endorsement as additional interference from national groups that aren't familiar with Idaho politics. But he hastened to add that he feels a strong affinity for the Idaho tea party movement and doesn't associate the national endorsement with anything local tea party groups intend to do in the race.

"I think whatever it is - an endorsement or anything - it's not relevant to the people of Idaho. We have the same problem with the NRCC," he said, referring to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has thrown its weight behind Ward in the May 25 primary.

People at Boise's tea party rally were divided about the Minnick endorsement.

Patrick Clayton, 33, of Boise said he likes that Minnick voted against the health care law. The endorsement "speaks volumes to the tea party in general," Clayton said. "There's a lot of stereotypes that it's a Republican, white-led party. But it's not based on party or race. It's based on heart and values."

But Daniel Jensen, 51, of Boise said he tried to talk to Minnick once when he encountered him on a sidewalk. "He's very close-minded," Jensen said. "What we need is politicians to talk to the people and not think on their own. They represent us."

Erika Bolstad: (202) 383-6104. Reporter Katy Moeller contributed.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/04/1 ... t-rep.html

A vote for Walt Minnick is a vote for Queen Nancy to keep her throne.

Not certain I can agree with the "TeaParty Express" and what ever they represent with their endorsement of Minnick. Checked with the NumbersUSA rating and he received a B. On the "TipLine" section of the site one of his responses to a constituent concerning ILLEGALS and his stated support of "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" would preclude me from supporting him. Sometimes I receive conflicting messages from the various TeaParty organizations.

"Questioned Walt Minnick at a recent meeting about supporting H..R. 1868 to End birthright Citizenship and his response was that he would not "piecemeal" immigration issues but look at it comprehensively. Health care was comprehensive! No more! Wed 02/03 1265254710 10:38pm (Rep. Walter Minnick from ID1)(report this tip)

Lorri8112 of ID "


http://www.numbersusa.com/content/my/co ... reportcard