As the Rocky Mountain States are largely dominated by the Republican Party, a rise of ambitious Democrats are looking to build a network of support across borders to increase their presence in the region and ultimately convert some states from deep red to purple or even blue.

Montana was the first to “go” purple.  As a traditionally conservative state, they now have two Democratic Senators, Max Baucus and John Tester, and Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer, who currently has an approval rating around 70 percent.

Tester, a popular junior Senator, recently announced his backing of Larry LaRocco in a fundraising email.

“We both know what it's like to be an underdog,” Tester said.  “When I first got in the race for U.S. Senate three years ago, most people didn't give me a chance -- but with the hard work and support of friends all across Montana, I defeated 3-term Republican incumbent, Conrad Burns.  Larry LaRocco is an underdog in this year's Senate race in Idaho too -- but I've been in his shoes and, frankly, I like his chances.”

Dean Ferguson, communications director for the LaRocco campaign, said the two Senators have a lot in common.

“The pair shares an affinity for sensible, responsible leadership as western Democrats,” Ferguson said.

Other Mountain States that are bluing up by the day include Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico, and some of them look to get bluer this fall.  New Mexico’s Senator Pete Domenici is retiring this year and the Democratic candidate Tom Udall is consistently polling ahead of Republican rival Steve Pearce in double digits.  Colorado also has a vacating Senate seat for which Tom Udall’s cousin, Mark Udall, is again polling far ahead his Republican competitor, Bob Schaffer.  Colorado and New Mexico both have popular Democratic Governors who are not up for re-election in 2008, guaranteeing a strong focus on the Democratic Senate candidates throughout the upcoming months.

While Idaho isn’t usually thought of as a risk for Republicans, the numbers show the red state may well be more competitive than conventional wisdom suggests.  In 2006, Rep. Bill Sali barely eked out a win over Larry Grant with a 50 percent to 45 percent victory.  This year, Sali faces a tougher opponent.  Walt Minnick, a household name in Idaho’s Democratic circles, raised more than $700,000 this election year, while Sali is more than $200,000 behind at only $495,000.

Idaho’s other Congressional race, Rep. Mike Simpson v. Democratic candidate Debbie Holmes, is another story.  Simpson raised more than $300,000 thus far, while Holmes has only pulled in a meager $8,000.  Though, the massive discrepancy in this race highlights the stunning challenge faced by Rep. Sali, who had trouble finding a win in a deeply red state an entire year before Obamamania began to sweep across Idaho’s beautiful mountains and rivers.

LaRocco has raised almost $600,000 thus far, though his competitor, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, has raised about $1.2 million, though he has loaned his own campaign about $380,000 throughout the race.  Risch has a net worth of more than $3 million, according to financial reports, but could be worth as much as $80 million due to a large cattle ranch and a wide stock portfolio, according to the Idaho Statesman.  LaRocco has used the Internet much more aggressively, though, and has raised more than $150,000 from the Internet alone.

LaRocco credits Tester’s support, in part, for his online fundraising success.

“Fueled by help from U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, Bethine Church, the widow of U.S. Sen. Frank Church, and ret. General Wesley Clark, LaRocco raised $11,000 on-line in one week bringing LaRocco's Internet fundraising total to $150,000,” Ferguson wrote in a recent press release.

For Idaho Democrats, the thinking goes like this: while Idaho may not be ready for harvest in the 2008 Presidential election, if Democrats can flip a few vulnerable seats in a year where the national GOP is at an all-time low in popularity, these Democratic incumbents will be difficult to oust in future elections and can begin to slide Idaho into purple country for future elections.  This would not be a difficult feat, as the state only has two Senators and two Representatives, meaning one Senate flip and one House flip would make the state effectively half Democratic, half Republican.  As with Montana, Colorado and New Mexico, sneaking a few Democrats into statewide seats in off years for the dominant GOP can pay huge dividends for the party in future elections.