Republicans? For Grant

In a state where anyone can declare themselves a Republican, we now have Republicans for Grant which is being trumpeted as the end of Bill Sali by the Grant for Congress Campaign. Let’s take a look at the membership of the group:

Micron co-founder and former GOP congressional candidate Ward Parkinson

Where does Mr. Parkinson do his political contributions? Let’s follow the money:

Mr. Parkinson has donated $1,000 to Jana Jones, the Democratic Nominee for State Superintendent. In 2004, Mr. Parkinson gave $750 to Sean Spence, the Democratic Challenger to Kathy Garrett and $250 to State Senator Mike Burkett. In 2002, he gave $1000 to Mike Burkett. In 2000, $100 went to the campaign of Democratic State House Candidate Mike Barringer. 1998, $227 went to Sue Reens, a Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor. In 1994, $1150 combined to 3 different Democratic candidates. He also gave $500 to Richard Stallings in his campaign against Mike Simpson in 1998. Apparently, Mike Simpson is too combative for Mr. Parkinson.

New West has an expanded listing of Republicans for Grant, including Fred Shoemaker, who in 2004 gave $200 to Sean Spence. In 1998, Mr. Shoemaker gave $500 to Dan Williams, the Democratic nominee against Helen Chenoweth for House District 1. In 1996, he and his wife gave $260 to Carolyn Beaver, a Democratic Candidate for State House. In 1994, they gave $679 to Democratic Senate Candidate Marilyn Sword.

Then we have Dr. Lawrence Knight and his wife Kaye (Kathryn). Dr. Knight gave $100 to Sarah Snodgrass, a Democrat State Senate Candidate in 1990. Kaye Knight gave $100 to Jerry Brady in 2002. Fifty dollars went to Democrat Governor Candidate Robert Huntley and $25 to Democratic State Superintendent Candidate Marilyn Howard in 1998. She also gave $125 to two Democratic Candidates in 1994.

Then we have Ron Graves, who in 1994 gave $700 to Democratic Gubenatorial Candidate Larry Echohawk and $75 to State Auditor Candidate JB Williams. Also on this list, Richard Greener, who in 2002 contributed $330 to the campaign of Keith Roark, the Democratic Candidate for Attorney General.

Of the eleven members of the Republicans for Grant group, six have in the past contributed to the Democrats and they’ve been playing both sides of the fence for up to sixteen years.

I found no record of Janie Goichochea, Cathy Smith, or Allyn Dingell contributing to Republican causes at the federal level or in Idaho, though its possible they may have elsewhere or they may have changed their names.

Tom Nicholson has given quite a bit of money to the Republicans (around $12,000 over the past decade or so to State Republicans + some National Republican donations) and I found Jim Nelson gave money to Republicans a couple times at the state level without supporting Democrats.

The information is all available on Follow the Money doing one of their power searches. Apparently, Dan Popkey was too busy to do this.

So we’ve got this organization of “principled Republicans” where more than half are giving to Democrats; three haven’t given more than $24.99 at the state level or more than $199.99 at the federal to any major party candidate. This is the Democrats’ big news! This type of garbage slipped on to the front page of Daily Kos! Well, folks, tonight the truth is known.

Jill Kuratis in closing out her article at New West:

And on the very day that Dick Cheney comes to town.

Yes, on the very day Dick Cheney came to town, a Republicans for Grant page appeared. The page was paid for by Larry Grant and was set up by a group of so-called Republicans who’ve poured thousands into Democratic campaigns. The big launch was helped by a liberal columnist, who either didn’t investigate, or chose not to share the less than unified contributions of “Republicans for Grant.”

Why golly! What a coincidence!

UPDATE

Just noticed the name Warren McCain in Popkey’s Article. He’s a former Albertsons CEO who, while he says he’s “a Republican for Grant,” (but not part of the organization)has also given money to Democrats:

1990: Cecil Andrus and Democratic Senate Candidate Karl Brooks

1994: Willie Sullivan (State Superintendent) and Mike Burkett (Attorney General)

1996: More Money to Sullivan

Again, for most “Republicans for Grant,” backing the opposition is nothing new.

UPDATE II

Thanks to Bryan Fischer at the Idaho Values Alliance for the link.

UPDATE III

Binkyboy attacks my points, but doesn’t trust his readers enough to actually link to what he’s responding to.

The point is simple. We’re dealing with a group of disloyal Republicans whose support for Democratic Candidates goes back for years. As I said in the post, these candidates have a record of mixed support (implying that yes, indeed, they backed some Republicans.) So, a bunch of people who have backed Democrat jumped shipped again? Big deal. Warning, as is the case with most of Binky Boy’s posts his latest contains profanity.

Larry Grant

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