Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, a Republican, says when he served three terms in Congress, he often found common ground with the Blue Dog Caucus, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats. Now, Idaho’s newest congressman-elect, Democrat Walt Minnick, is a member of that group. Said Otter, “We could do a lot worse than have the Blue Dogs get a majority of the Democrat party.” He added, “Interestingly enough, I would tell you, and so would Mike Simpson, there were many times Mike Simpson and I voted for the Blue Dog budget and only accepted the Republican budget after the Blue Dog budget lost. Oh yeah – it was much more conservative”/Betsy Russell, SR Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: The Idaho delegation was one of the lowest ranked ones in Congress this year (although Congressman Mike Simpson was rated among the 10 best by Esquire). How effective do you see Idaho's delegation, now that Jim Risch and Walt Minnick have replaced Larry Craig and Bill Sali?

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