Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Whattabout Hart, Loertscher, Etc.?

Here's one last item that Opinion Page Editor Marty Trillhaase of the Lewiston Tribune noted among the curious resolutions passed by the Idaho Republican Central Committee at their recent state convention in Moscow: "Repudiate Senate Majority Caucus Chairman John McGee, R-Caldwell. Sure, McGee famously got drunk outside a Boise golf course, then took an SUV and trailer, wrecked it and passed out in the back seat. Hardly exemplary behavior. But where's the outrage with state Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, who stole timber from public lands and continues to avoid paying his taxes? Where's the umbrage with Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, who is accused of using his State Affairs Committee chairmanship to kill a bill that would have complicated his right-of-way claims in Bonneville County? Who's complaining about former Tax Commission Chairman Royce Chigbrow, who used his office to reward friends and punish enemies? Don't forget, this political machine said not one word about Sen. Larry Craig's toe-tapping scandal." Full editorial here.

Question: Why did Idaho Republicans pass a resolution repudiating state Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, when they ignored the shenanigans of Hart, Loertscher, & Chigbrow -- and, back when, Craig?



D.F. Oliveria
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.

Follow Dave online: