Butch Otter — the young, brash conservative legislator of almost 40 years ago — is known for rising to the House floor and famously casting a vote of “hell no” on an anti-pornography bill. On Tuesday, Otter voted, “Meh.” Yes, the governor voiced support, again, for a state-run health insurance exchange. Yes, he’s on the right side on an emotional issue. But he couldn’t be any less enthusiastic or more conflicted about it. Otter’s 522-word statement Tuesday furnishes vast wiggle room — for the legislators who must approve a state-run exchange, and even for Otter himself. In spots, it was less an endorsement of a state health exchange than it was another indictment of the federal health care law that mandates an exchange/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Should the governor defer to legislators who still are at war with Obamacare?