Dan of the CASA (RE: House State Affairs Committee OKs $2M for presidential primary): This wouldn't be as bad if it weren't such a duplication of elections and therefore completely wasteful. This will be a whole new one-issue, one-party election that could be and should be combined with the Primary election. I understand that the Republicans want to be part of their national process and feel it is critical to have this in March vs. May. So, if it's that important, then why not move the May Primary to March and then you could again have one combined (actually the word is consolidation and they passed a whole new section of the code a few years ago with the specific intent to have fewer, less confusing elections, but I guess doesn't count in this case) election and save millions of dollars and make it easier on the voters. Well, there's a one word answer for that one too--incumbents.

I'm sure the whole point of not moving the authentic Primary Election to March is because they are worried they would still be in session and couldn't campaign as much. Another benefit of having a combined Primary in March would actually be that you would see a much shorter, focused, and less expensive legislative session, at least every other year. Sounds like a win-win-win to me.

Question: How can Idaho Republican legislators be so out of touch with their constituents on this issue?