Chuck Malloy/Idaho Politics Weekly comments:

Lt. Gov. Brad Little, the political establishment’s golden boy in the race for governor, has some big plans for the Gem State if he’s elected.

He wants to improve the chances of keeping young Idahoans at home, ease up on business regulations and bring an Idaho solution to health care. More details on taxes and education will be coming soon in a campaign stump speech near you.

Little is hitting some of the right buttons, for sure. But think about the punch he’d have by presenting all this – and more – in a State of the State address as governor. He could count on generous reviews for offering tax cuts, such as repeal of the sales tax on groceries, to go along with a progressive education plan.

A successful legislative session, with Little in charge, would go a long way toward elevating him to the Republican nomination in next year’s primary. Congressman Raul Labrador would be relegated to temporary political retirement, and Boise developer Tommy Ahlquist would be planning for his next high-rise office building.

Of course, none of these things could happen unless Gov. Butch Otter stepped down – an unlikely prospect under normal circumstances. More here.