Jan 30 2010
Allred for Idaho
I just met Idaho’s next governor today. Keith Allred visited the Bonneville County Democrats’ monthly “Pancakes and Politics” forum. It was SRO (Standing Room Only, for those of you who do not speak in acronyms).
He spoke for awhile and then his wife Christine spoke, and then they took questions, and afterwards his field director Kassie Cerami spoke.
I must say, I was very impressed. I was very tired and emotionally drained when I got there, having recently undergone some turmoil in my personal life that was not yet resolved. Incredibly, by the time I left there two hours later, I was bouyant and happy and hopeful and trying to figure out how to stretch my budget to make a contribution.
Keith has been an independent above the fray, working with both sides of the political arena. He operated a non-profit organization called The Common Interest (which will be inactive during the campaign) that united all political persuasions to achieve successful legislation in the last 6 years. In fact, there were several well known Republicans at this meeting today, including Kathy Stanger. His co-campaign managers are Cecil Andrus (D) and Laird Noh (R).
I’m really excited about this candidate. And I’m mindful of a statement made by my personal hero John McGimpsey at today’s meeting. He said, (paraphrasing) that we should not get involved in the campaigns to the extent we are comfortable. Nay, we should get involved in the campaigns clear to the point of being uncomfortable…
It’s a challenge, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s dig in and make a change, this year!
