During the final months of the 2006 campaign, Chris Bowers (formerly of MyDD.com and now with OpenLeft.com - two sites I still check every day), initiated the "Use-it-or-lose-it" campaign.  For those who don't remember, the UILI campaign targeted Democratic Senators and Representatives who were in "safe" democratic seats and who had substantial cash-on-hand for the campaign, to persuade them to donate some of that cash to other Senate and Congressional campaigns where the additional funds might make the difference in competitive races.

Shortly after the '06 elections, I encouraged Kossacks to contact Larry Grant, and to try to convince him to take on Larry Craig in 2008.  With the rumors about Craig's sexuality and at least one challenger from the right-wing, I suggested that Craig might retire, and that even if he didn't, as part of the 50 state strategy, it would be a good idea to get a strong candidate in the race early.  

Last week, mcjoan caught a post by 43rdstateblues about some servers at the Arid Club (one of Boise's premiere R hangouts) who "overheard" some discussion about replacing Craig.  Today, 43rdstateblues has another catch, regarding an op-ed by an east Idaho GOPer who is openly discussing Craig's retirement and possible replacement.

Cross-posted at dailykos.  

The next cycle has already started.  Here in Idaho, we've made little real headway against the Republican hegemony.  The one, and I mean one (1), bright spot in yesterday's election was Larry Grant's performance against Bill Sali.  Jerry Brady has run for governor twice, and couldn't break 45%.  Jana Jones lost the School Superintendant Race to Tom "Lunatic" Luna, which means we lost the only statewide office currently held by a Dem (Marilyn Howard, who's retiring).  I could go on, but what's the point?  

We've got to keep hope alive in this state, and the only glimmer of it I see is Larry Grant.  We need a candidate for the next cycle to help energize IdaDems.  I say we recruit Larry Grant to run for Senate.