As last-minute pleas for clemency continued to pour into Idaho’s state Capitol this week in advance of the state’s first execution since 1994, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter wasn’t there – he was at a posh resort in Maui to speak about presidential politics, leaving Lt. Gov. Brad Little in charge. Little was Idaho’s acting governor from Sunday, when Otter left for Hawaii, until today, when Otter is planning to return to Boise, leaving the California Independent Voter Project’s “Business and Leader Exchange” a day early to make it back for the Friday execution/Betsy Russell, SR. More here.

Question: Are you bothered that Gov. Otter was in Hawaii earlier this week while pleas for clemency for triple-murderer Paul Ezra Rhoades poured into the state -- and attorneys tried to save the condemned man?