Could Walt Minnick survive past the 2010 elections?

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It's hard to predict. 2008 could be just a fluke. But I don't think we can tie Minnick victory with Obama landslide election, since no one than McCain won in landslide in Idaho.

Minnick can become a safe seat Democratic Congressman in a very Republican state, just like, as you mentioned, Matheson or Boren, or really can be an accidental short-termer. We shall see...

Back in 2008 I was also suprised by his win.

I wonder what's going to happen with two freshman Democratic Representatives from Alabama: Bright and Griffith. Problem is pretty smilliar.

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Griffith seat was long occupied by fellow Democrat (typical Alabama Democrat of course) Bud Cramer, but Bright's was solidly Republican, held by fellow named Terry Everett, who despite being a second ranking Republican in House Intelligence Committee, couldn't name a differences betwenn Sunnis and Shias

I remember opinions before elections, that both seats are Republican-leaning. Bright won mostly becuase of his popularity as mayor and Griffith undoubtely with Cramer help. As incumbents (and Alabama trends to be incumbent-friendly in House elections) they'd probably able to held these seats, but they really won initially narrowly and after bloody battle.

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It's hard to see more Republican states than Idaho and Utah (I mean there are succesfull Democrats in Nebraska, like Nelson, or Wyoming, like Freudenthal). In fact the last really popular and succesfull Democratic office-holders (statewide) were Frank Church and Cecil Andrus.

Crapo is the safest incumbent up for reelection in 2010. Otter is not that safe. After all, Democratic Governor is much more possible than Democratic Senator or longtime Congressman.

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Well, Church survived so many terms in icreasingly blue Idaho.

I know Church and Minnick are uncomparable, and, unlike Church, Minnick is trying everything he can he's conservative enough. But it's possible a popular incumbent, even if he's a Democrat, which is rare in Idaho, can hold on.