Rep. Walt Minnick's latest TV ad is sparking a new round of controversy. Republican challenger Raul Labrador fired back this morning with a
scathing news release attacking Minnick's messenger: retired U.S.
Marshal Mike Johnson. The release centers on Johnson's role as marshal during the 1992 Ruby
Ridge standoff, and quotes two retired deputy marshals who question
Johnson's judgment and ethics. "(Johnson) became one of the biggest embarrassments to this agency as
well as to the other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
He exercised questionable, if not poor judgment during Ruby Ridge as
well as in other events during his tour," said retired deputy marshal
Jack Cluff/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.
Cutline: In this September 1992 AP/Statesman file photo, White supremacist Randy Weaver, right, is led from the Federal Building in Boise by U.S. Marshal Mike Johnson.
Question: Is it fair criticism for the Labrador camp to bring the specter of Ruby Ridge into the 1st Congressional District campaign?
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.
Raul Labrador fired back this morning with a
scathing news release attacking Minnick's messenger: retired U.S.
Marshal Mike Johnson. The release centers on Johnson's role as marshal during the 1992 Ruby
Ridge standoff, and quotes two retired deputy marshals who question
Johnson's judgment and ethics. "(Johnson) became one of the biggest embarrassments to this agency as
well as to the other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
He exercised questionable, if not poor judgment during Ruby Ridge as
well as in other events during his tour," said retired deputy marshal
Jack Cluff/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. 