• Weekend Poll: A plurality of Hucks Nation sez both Congress and the Idaho Legislature are terrible examples of governing bodies. 103 of 232 respondents (44.4%) said that Congress and the Idaho Legislature are equally bad in the performance of their duties. 72 of 232 respondents (31.03%) picked Congress as worst than the Idaho Legislature. 56 of 232 (24.14%) said the Legislature was worse than Congress.
• Today's Poll: Do you think President Obama's health care overhaul is constitutional?

Tell me something: Why is it that members of the military repeatedly risk their lives for their country but most members of Congress won’t even risk losing an election?  Why is it that policemen routinely go out there in the night along lonely highways and down dark alleys daring death, but members of the House and Senate tremble in their boots at the thought of defying moneyed lobbyists and ignorant voters on matters of principle? Why is it that members of the fire department dare run into a fire to save a child, but most members of Congress don’t dare tell a menacing lobbyist with a pot full of cash to put it where the sun don’t shine? Most members of Congress would rather become puppets of pressure groups than die a mere political death at the polls. What is it that they fear?/Bill Hall, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you think columnist Bill Hall is right — that most congressmen would rather be toadies for lobbyists and special interests than put their jobs at risk?

In this Oct. 12, 2008, file photo, then Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, answers a question from Samuel Joseph “Plumber Joe” Wurzelbacher in Holland, Ohio. On Tuesday, Wurzelbacher announced in Toledo, Ohio, that he's running. Wurzelbacher, a man whose moniker became a household name during the 2008 presidential race, says he's running in Ohio's 9th U.S. House district because he's angry about the economy and the way politicians try to patch problems with duct tape (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Question: Do angry candidates, like Plumber Joe, make good congressmen?

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

Michael Ramirez/Investor's Business Daily

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

• Tuesday’s Poll: 54 of 93 respondents (58%) correctly said that congressional control would split between the parties after Election Day, with Democrats continuing to control the Senate, while Republicans would take back the House. 28 of 93 (30.1%) said the R’s would take both houses. 7 of 93 (7.53%) said the D’s would hold control of both houses, while 4 of 93 (4.3%) said the D’s would keep the House and lose the Senate to the R’s.
• Today’s Question: Are you happy with the results of the 2010 Election?

DFO: I’ve asked Blogmeister Ryan to reinstitute the Hucks Online poll in the left rail. In the past, the coding has caused problems with some of your computers. Let me know ASAP if it does so again.

The party that controls the House holds crucial power, taking the lead in writing bills and deciding which to bring up for a vote and when. A Republican House could pass legislation, such as promised tax relief, on simple majority votes without any Democratic support. Democrats will still hold the Senate, but Republicans will have a much stronger position and more leverage in negotiations thanks to their party running the House. Democrats also lack the 60 votes necessary in the Senate to stop a procedural hurdle known as filibuster, which gives Republicans power to block legislation/Thomas Ferraro, Reuters. More here.

Question: What do the national election results mean for Congress?

The national poll found that Americans plan to vote for Republicans over Democratic candidates by 50 percent to 44 percent. This is an edge that will likely give Republicans dozens of seats in the House and significant gains in the Senate. The poll numbers suggest Republicans would win about 231 seats in the House to 204 for the Democrats, but Ipsos pollster Cliff Young said Democrats would retain control of the U.S. Senate with a 53-47 or 52-48 seat advantage/Reuters. More here.

Question: Do you agree that the 2 houses of Congress will be split after the election? Or will one party hold both houses?

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

Here’s a group that’s certainly not bashing U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick’s upcoming “economic blitz” during the congressional summer break (as is a GOP hopeful for his seat): Idaho businesses who are planning to participate. “Congressman Minnick’s ‘blitz’ is being received positively by my contractor members,” said Mark Dunham, executive director of the Idaho Associated General Contractors. More here at Eye on Boise

GOP congressional hopeful Vaughn Ward issued a sharply critical statement today in response to Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick’s announcement of an “economic blitz” across the 1st Congressional District during the Congress’ summer break, in which Minnick will host four events to connect Idaho companies and communities to federal funds in an effort to create jobs; more here at Eye on Boise.

Question: What do you think should be done to create more jobs in Idaho?

Item: Minnick launches ‘economic blitz’ in Idaho/Betsy Z. Russell, S-R

More info: Freshman Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick says in his seven months in office, he’s become convinced that creating new jobs in Idaho is the most pressing issue he can address, and there’s federal money, contracts and more that could help - if Idahoans just had a little help to tap into them. Minnick announced that during the five weeks Congress is on its summer break, he’ll launch an “economic blitz” in Idaho, holding four events around the state, with Web access, to bring together businesses, communities, economic development officials and more with federal officials, his congressional staffers and other resources to help them get at the federal funding. “It’s making sure that going forward, that no opportunity goes by because we haven’t made proper effort,” Minnick said.

Question: How do you think congressmen should spend their summer recess?