Huckleberries Online

Letter: Batt Applauds Minnick’s Stand

Posted by DFO

Feb. 23, 2009 1:05 p.m. • 11 comments

I didn’t support Walt Minnick during his campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nevertheless, I did listen to his strong statements concerning fiscal responsibility. I didn’t doubt his sincerity, but I thought he’d have to follow the big spenders, most of the time, once he became a member of the majority party in the House. I’m sure Rep. Minnick knew that most Idahoans opposed the so-called “stimulus package.” Yet, I believe the reason for his “no” vote was a clear conviction that it is shameful to load a crushing debt on future generations of Americans and to totally usurp state rights and responsibilities. I don’t yet know if I’ll back Mr. Minnick for re-election, but I want him to know that I appreciate him standing up for Idaho/Phil Batt, former Idaho governor. Idaho Statesman.

Question: Do you consider this letter to be a plus or a minus for new Demo Congressman Walt Minnick?

11 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Bent on February 23 at 1:52 p.m.
It’s a huge plus for me…
Joker on February 23 at 1:57 p.m.
Neither. Nobody will remember this letter come the next election.
danofthecommunity on February 23 at 2:43 p.m.
Actually Joker, Governor Batt is a bit like the old E.F. Hutton commercials— when he speaks people get kind of quiet and do listen. There are statements and actions from years ago that people still quote and remember because they have a great deal of respect for him.

Now that’s not saying he’s going to turn a bunch of votes from his own party necessarily towards Minnick, but I disagree with your conclusion that people won’t remember.
Rosalind on February 23 at 3:14 p.m.
Neither. For those who actually supported the stimulus package (the poor population) - this letter does nothing. And for those that were against the stimulus, this does remind them that Minnick was against it. But if people didn’t know that already, then they probably won’t notice this letter in the news either.
Transplanted_Texan on February 23 at 3:20 p.m.
Joker’s right, but it could hint at a future plus. If Batt were to say something similar in a year’s time or actually endorse Minnick, it’d be great.
JamesBond on February 23 at 4:24 p.m.
Governor Batt is one of my political heros. There isn’t anyone I’ve ever known or read about in politics who has a more principled position on fiscal matters. Like it or not, the guy is a cheapskate, and he walks the walk better than anyone. Helluva nice guy too, and plays a good horn.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.