Can Sali Come Back?

Over at the Idaho Press-Tribune, Vickie Holbrook writes of Bill Sali citing being outspent as a reason for the loss:

Sali concedes Idaho’s 1st CD race to Minnick, but blames the fact that he lost on the fact that the campaign was heavily outspent. So, if I understand this, Sali believes that if he had more money, he could have won? I think there’s more to blame than just how much money was donated. I think it has much more to do with how he operated as a politician.

It’s a well-known political fact that the candidate who raises the most money wins. While perhaps, do you really think if fundraising was equal, Minnick would have won? No way. True, Sali had problems with some people here, but the money spent by Minnick and the DCCC can buy a lot of voter problems. Minnick got on the air sooner and longer.

Of course, the question many have is can Sali come back? Dennis Mansfield has invited Sali to ministry or business.  He also is probably one of the few people I know who could make his living in music. But 54 is kind of young to hang ‘em up in politics.

This is the first defeat of Sali’s 18 year political career. No matter what field you’re in, a 19-1 record (General Elections and Primaries) is pretty darn good. Governor Otter lost the governor’s race in 1978 and that wasn’t the end of him.

 This campaign has put Sali and his family through the ringer, though the way in which Minnick won (through unfair personal attacks on the Congressman based on events that occurred when Sali was in his 20s and 30s)  may themselves could help fuel a desire for a comeback rather than causing him to rule it out.

If he does come back, he’ll need to find some way to counter Minnick’s money advantage. One thing that I would do if I were Sali and I were to make a come back is that I would go door to door in Canyon County and other usually reliable places that went for Minnick, and schedule more rallies overall. People who meet Sali are more likely to like him. People who sit on their tushes watching TV or reading the Statesman are more likely to believe their spin.

It’s too soon to know what Congressman Sali will do, but whatever he chooses, he’ll continue to have our family’s support and thanks.