Any conservative-Republican candidate who agrees to the upcoming CEP “balanced” Coeur d’Alene Schools Trustee debate is truly brave. It is similar to walking into the lion’s den. The board of directors consists of two former liberal school board members, one of whom quit after the board began to lean conservative; so much for tolerance and balance. The other board members represent an array of liberal activist community members. The Coeur Group formulating the questions appears to have close ties to CEP and “Balance North Idaho,” which endorsed the left leaning school board candidates/Ken Mayo, Coeur d'Alene Press letter to the editor. More here.

DFO: This is the type of silly fear-mongering that preceded last night's trustee forum at the Mica Grange. I'd heard that the deck was stacked against the challengers because Republican stalwart Joy Seward had organized it. But the forum played out as one of the most civil that I've witnessed. Joy deserves a hat tip. Rather than listening to alarmist Mayo, the incumbents and Handeen need to realize that they represent the entire community, not just Republican hardliners. They need to be at the forum, which will be conducted by the extremely neutral Coeur Group.

Thoughts?