With less than a week to go until Election Day, party officials at both the state and local levels say that 2014 has had more than its share of surprises for Republicans and Democrats alike. For one thing, Bonner County Democratic candidates — historically prone to more or less pack up their tents after the primaries — are campaigning hard right to the finish line. Different, too, are the traditionally red or blue lawns around town, many of which sport signs that feature a hybrid of cross-party affiliations. Republicans, meanwhile, have had their own, internal dust-up in what Idaho Republican Party executive director Dave Johnston called “a larger than normal family feud.” Democrats, for their part, sense that disaffection within the GOP has created a breach in the Gem State’s formerly unassailable party unity — one they say sets the stage for a break in the ranks that could tip the scales their way through crossover votes/David Gunter, Bonner County Bee. More here.

Question: Do you ever notice, as I do, that the hired hands at the state GOP try to characterize these blood feuds at the county level as something that's healthy? A party exec from Boise said: "The squabbles and infighting are a sign of strength." What do you suppose they consider a sign of weakness?