Because it comes from a national newspaper — and because Idaho has a considerable direct stake in the debate — this Los Angeles Times editorial deserves your attention.
Labeling nuclear power "a failed experiment of the past, not an answer for the future," the Times argues against providing loan guarantees [...]
When the Statesman's Erika Bolstad broke a rock-solid story about bonuses awarded by outgoing and embattled Sen. Larry Craig, the detractors were quick to chime in. Their message, loosely translated: "Hey Statesman, let the Craig story die already."
A funny item from Wednesday's mailbag.
Got a letter to the editor addressed to the Statesman, "Somewhere on Curtis, Boise, Idaho."
The proper address, BTW, is 1200 N. Curtis Road.
And yes, skeptics, your government is at work. This letter still managed to arrive at our office — just two days after it' [...]
At least this is the kind of thing the opposition party should do.
Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, floated a politically doomed idea the other day: Idaho should raise taxes temporarily in order to limit the budgetary damage to public schools, higher education and Medicaid.
Her proposal: Impose a 5 percent income tax [...]
Gov. Butch Otter has made pretty clear his approach to Idaho's continuing budget crisis.
Limit the damage to public schools, even if that means taking money from state savings accounts. Continue to make cuts elsewhere — including Medicaid and higher education. Hold the line on tax increases that could fund education' [...]
Bryan Fischer's old Idaho Values Alliance is silent (as a check of his old URL stomping ground demonstrates).
But Fischer, now a Mississippi-based radio talker, is doing what radio talkers do well. He is demagoguing a tragedy — the Fort Hood shooting massacre — by doing a little bit of' [...]
As former chief of staff to Gov. Cecil Andrus, Marc Johnson knows a thing or two about how Democratic candidates can win in Idaho.
And that makes his take on Rep. Walt Minnick worth your time. He posted it at his blog earlier in the week. Give it a read.
The [...]
Want to learn more about slow-cooked BBQ? Which Mad (Wo)Man you are? Or what city should play Shelbyville to Boise's Springfield?
Come to the Egyptian Theater tonight at 7 p.m.
It's Ignite Boise 3 night, which promises a full and eclectic evening of fun presentations. The rules: each talk runs five [...]
A leftover from last week:
Former Sen. Larry Craig joined a diverse, bipartisan group of co-signers on a petition calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison — and for the prosecution of terrorism suspects in federal courts.
The petition caught the notice of Wall Street Journal blogger Jess Bravin. [...]
I don't think the 1st Congressional District race will really take shape until the end of November — or whenever Bill Sali decides whether he plans to seek his old job.
The Republican lineup changed considerably Tuesday, when state Rep. Ken Roberts of Donnelly left the race and state Rep. Raul' [...]
Rep. Walt Minnick may well have alienated some of his Democratic allies by opposing the health care reform bill that passed the House Saturday.
Yet the 1st District congressman still drew heat from Republicans Saturday night. Minnick opposed an amendment that would restrict federal funding of abortions.
Passed largely with the [...]
The scorecard from Tuesday's city elections: Statesman-endorsed candidates won seven of 12 races across the Valley.
The Statesman editorial board endorsed victorious candidates Vern Bisterfeldt, Maryanne Jordan and TJ Thomson for Boise City Council; Tom Dale for Nampa mayor; Pam White, Nampa City Council; Keith Bird, Meridian City Council; and Richard' [...]
Updated, 7:05 p.m., to add a quote from Nathaniel Hoffman.
The Center for Media and Democracy defines a "push poll" as follows: "Using the guise of opinion polling, disinformation about a candidate or issue is planted in the minds of those being 'surveyed'. Push-polls are designed to shape, rather than" [...]
I'm not sure 17.6 percent of the voters can deliver a mandate.
This sliver of the Boise electorate resoundingly re-elected City Council incumbents Vern Bisterfeldt and Maryanne Jordan and gave TJ Thomson a comfortable win in an open council race. And I suppose the 82.4 percent who stayed home offered a' [...]
11:46 p.m. Two years ago, Gary Smith lost a Star City Council election by one vote. Now, it appears he has narrowly won a council seat.
Smith received 514 votes, a 51 percent majority, to incumbent Dustin Christopherson's 493 votes.
11:29 p.m. Cliffhanger of the night: Challenger Bob Henry has passed Nampa' [...]
No blog this morning, but I'll be back here tonight to blog about the election results.
I'll also post Twitter updates @KevinRichert.
For more election talk and analysis, join Nate Shelman at 670 KBOI from 9 to 11 p.m. I'll be in the studio talking over the results.
Thinking one year out to the 2010 elections, Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick has made an unenviable Top 10 list.
The first-term lawmaker has made the list of the 10 most vulnerable House incumbents, as compiled by Beltway reading staple Roll Call.
Ranking aside, how much is Minnick at risk?
[...]
