The Idaho Legislature has made it official – Gov. Butch Otter has won his biggest legislative victory in his seven years in office, persuading reluctant GOP lawmakers to approve his plan for a state-based health insurance exchange. After more than three hours of debate, the Idaho Senate voted 23-12 in favor of the bill Thursday and sent it to the governor’s desk; the measure, HB 248, had earlier passed the House on a 41-29 vote. Despite the long debate, no senators changed their votes from a month earlier, when they passed an earlier version of the bill by the exact same vote. Coeur d’Alene GOP Sen. Bob Nonini said he picked out his darkest suit to wear for today’s debate. “I believe this is a dark day for Idaho,” he told the Senate/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

Question: Does this bolster Otter's chances for a possible third term?