He may just be a freshman political science major at the University of Idaho, but Henry D. Johnston is tuned in. The student, who served as a House page last year, listens in via the Internet to House and Senate debates when he gets the chance, and caught this exchange:

While debating HB 601 regarding a tax credit for the Blind Services Foundation, Rep. Mike Mitchell, D-Lewiston, referred to House Speaker Bruce Newcomb as "Mr. President." That's what they call the head of the Senate - not the House.

Mitchell served one term in the House in 1969-70 and six terms in the Senate, from 1971 to 1982. He returned to the House in 2003. When Newcomb noted the misspeak, Mitchell replied, "I guess it is a force of habit."

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