OrangeTV (Re: DFO statement that we're all Republicans now): No! No we aren't all Republicans. Every time I see your daily countdown I get a little bit infuriated at the whole racket. I know I'm extremely out of the loop on this one (and I basically forgot), but can someone give me a brief and logical reminder as to to why I would need to register as an R in order to vote?

DFO: Many -- most? -- of the legislative and courthouse races in Kootenai County this year will be settled in the GOPrimary in May. The individuals who win the various primaries become the odds-on favorites to win their general election races against whatever candidates the Democrats field. Often, the Democrats don't field an opposition candidate, which means the GOPrimary winner almost automatically wins the general election (depending on Independent or third-party candidates). The only ones who can vote in the closed GOPrimary are Republicans. Anyone current registered as a Democrat, Constitutionalist or Libertarian must re-register by March 14 to vote in the closed primary. You can stand on principle, of course -- and watch others decide in May who will be the elected officials next year.