Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and State Rep. Luke Malek of Coeur d’Alene come from far different ends of the political spectrum – with McConnell being one of the most powerful figures in Congress and Malek as a two-term legislator who is just getting started. But according to Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, a longtime friend and colleague of McConnell’s, there are some similarities. Both are interested in governing, even if it means rankling conservatives, as Malek has done on the recent child-support issue and last year’s creation of a state-based health exchange. McConnell has critics who say he sometimes works too closely with President Obama, particularly on immigration/Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly. More here.