In a blog post this morning, Dennis Mansfield shares thoughts re: the possible return of former Idaho governor Dirk Kempthorne to the political fray: “The pecking order of politics is named that for a reason. Incumbent officials are always on guard against new people coming onto their turf — pecking at newbies. Every new bird is viewed as a threat. Kempthorne first ran for office in Idaho in '85 (think Ronald Reagan's era) and last ran for office in '03 - almost a decade ago. Kerrey, much the same. Many new cocks have crowed since then. A race in Idaho would pit Kempthorne against Labrador, Risch, Crapo or Otter. These roosters waited long enough for his exit that I doubt they have ANY interest in seeing his return to the barnyard.” More here.

Question: Would you like to see Dirk Kempthorne run for political office in Idaho again? Which one?

I may be in error, but the legislative response of halting the proposed House hearing on the bill, now being reported by the national press, may well be a tactical time-out rather than a strategic stop. The national press will go home. And the Idaho House of Representatives will also prepare to go home … But my call is that prior to the close of the session the House will quickly take up the matter, pass it and let the Dem's in the House and Senate bear the weight of this bill at the polls. It will indeed be a case of political theater, but more accurately: a poltical theater of war/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

• Traffic police as Perry Mason?/Adam's Blog
• Respect for Sen. Nicole LeFavour/Idaho Conservative Blogger
• Tough sledding for Idaho 'Speaker' Brian Cronin/Dan Popkey
• Boomer Sioux-ners: Saudi Arabia of the Great Plains/Marc Johnson
• It's over when it's over/Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press
• Best left unsaid/Chris Carlson, Ridenbaugh Press

Question: Do you really think legislation requiring a pre-abortion ultrasound is dead for the year?

In Boise, Dennis Mansfield is nervous about amendments to the Martial Law Executive Order Friday: “My concern rests on the fact that those who become responsible for the running of the US Government during a martial law period of external OR internal conflict are NOT the MANY elected representatives of the nation. Even the idea of having an unelected faceless-official define what an internal conflict is (and therefore put it into effect in his/her governmental sphere of influence) passing such concern on to the President for enactment of Martial Law, leaves me icey cold … In fact, the Constitution apears to be suspended in such a state of martial law and only these following individuals will have the opportunity to declare that the “emergency” is  over and that Constitutional government be reengaged. Full post here.

Question: Is Dennis jumping at shadows? Or should we all be concerned with the Martial Law Executive Order, as amended?

Dennis Mansfield writes of the planned visit Sunday in Nampa of former Arkansas governor, who will be introduced by former First Lady Pat Kempthorne: “I like Pat — Kempthorne, that is … I understand that she'll co-introduce him to those in attendance. I've posted the notice below, if you are interested. Pat Kempthorne is really as great a person as is Mike Huckabee. Faithful, kind, involved in the community. She's weathered storms that most people do not know about and she's come out of it all like a champ. The people of Idaho are honored that Pat Kempthorne will be at the mike with MIke. The old political adage “they never come back to Pocatello” does not apply to Pat.” More here.

Question: Anyone out there in Hucks Nation ever live in Pocatello? Did you ever go back?

The Artist is an unusually entertaining and surprisingly joyful film. My bride, my brother and I watched it Oscar Day+1, not because it won so many Academy Awards, but because my sweet Susan wanted to see the film many weeks ago - and we just did not make time to do so. Tonight we made that needed time. And it was a wonderful investment on our collective behalves. The film is touching and beautifully shot. The techniques of the '20s are employed as if the last master silent film cinematographer had not passed away decades ago. The black and white filming was so sharp and completely alive. The film can be watched by any member of your family … no kidding/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (AP file photo: Jean Dujardin, left, kisses his Oscar for best actor for “The Artist”)

• I'm not running for John McGee's vacated seat/Idaho Conservative Blogger
• Idaho Democrats lose top staffer at critical moment/Dan Popkey, Statesman
• 2 Pocatello state senators to retire, and: Labrador earns perfect score/Kevin Richert
• Politics 101: Lessons from the street/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Report
• Shoes of the fisherman/Chris Carlson, Carlson Chronicles
• Mass exodus in Idaho Legislature/Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press

Question: Which of the 9 nominations for movies of the year have you watched?

Larry Grant, Chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, is often quoted about his disgust with the “culture” of the GOP controlled Idaho State Senate. His comments seem to often link it with the word “corruption” or some other perjorative word; though his recent quotes have not seemed to link those two words, anymore. Maybe Larry Grant's more correct than many of us gave him credit for. Not that the Idaho State Senate GOP Leadership is “corrupt” - as I have witnessed nothing that reflects an out-and-out ignoring of Idaho's laws…pending the Attorney General's report on Mr. McGee's actions, as an individual. However, the press reports on this event have NOW appeared throughout the US, today. Amercia sees Idaho once again as a laughing-stock, back-mountain wild west show/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (AP photo: Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill announcing John McGee's resignation Wednesday)

Question: Is McGee the first domino to fall in a legislative culture in Idaho that has for too long enabled misbehavers and scofflaws to continue to operate as though nothing has happened?

I've blogged since last summer that John McGee must resign. Today he did so. I've received phone messages from certain Idaho GOP State Senate Leaders who have “politely” called me and left voicemails asking me to “call them”. Really? Summoned by these guys who never had the courage to demand John's resignation? Now, watch what happens. It'll be anti-piling on, in a sense… GOP Senate Leadership (as it is now constructed — other than with Senator Chuck Winder, who is a good man) will today open their ranks and spit out Mr. McGee from its caucus. I refuse to pile on John McGee. His is a journey that now takes him to this distant part of a political desert. I hope he receives help in all areas of his life. The Senate Leadership? Pile on, baby, pile on/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

• In Boise, Mitt says Crapo not fiscal conservative/Adam's Blog
• Maddow highlights Greenwald VanderSloot story/43rd Street Blues
• These guys never made it to presidents day/Many Things Considered
• Trail to the right/Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press
• Siddoway's live-bait wolf bill passes panel on party-line vote/Rocky Barker

Question: Is Dennis right? Is it time to pile on Senate leadership for not having guts to handle John McGee's bizarre behavior back when?

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter introduced GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney at Romney's Boise campaign rally this afternoon. “Folks, this election is about your and my liberty,” Otter said. “We will turn out for that Idaho caucus. … We will turn out for the man that has the executive experience, understands that we are a free market, not a socialist country, that has been there and done that.” Romney, who's come to Idaho to campaign for Otter in the past, told the crowd, “What a great state this is - you're lucky to live here.” He recalled a summer he spent working on an Idaho ranch near King Hill when he was 15. “I learned so much about cultivating corn and spring corn and irrigating corn,” he said. “I thought I'd never see the end of corn”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

At the rally for Mitt Romney in Boise now going on, Dennis Mansfield Facebooks: “Mitt Romney, in person, strikes me as the guy you knew in high school who might have been on the cheer-leading squad. Nice guy, sort-of athletic, and a guy who wants to be liked. But still… A cheerleader. Odd.”

Question: Do you have a good/bad impression of high school cheerleaders?

Gingrich went on to say in the article, when asked about those who said he was NOW politically dead:

“The same people who said I was dead in June, or the people who said I was dead in Iowa, those people?” Gingrich said. “They're about as accurate as they have been the last two times they were wrong.”

Newt Gingrich is a member of a very small club of politically un-dead public figures/candidates/possible GOP Presidential nominee Zombies, including Richard Nixon (loss for President, loss for Governor), Ronald Reagan (loss for President in '68, '76) GHW Bush (loss for Senate in '64 and '70, loss for President '80) George W. Bush (loss for the House of Representatives in '78) who, by following their own personal plan, ultimately became president/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (AP file photo of movie zombies)

Question: Can you think of other political zombies who are still shambling among us?

I just NOW heard from some friends at the capitol that there is a move by certain key GOP Senators to ask John McGee to step down from his GOP Caucus leadership position. Like within the last little bit, my insiders tell me. “C'mon John, do the right thing, for a change,” seems to be their request. If this is accurate and Mr. McGee cannot or will not listen to those who CLEARLY are being impacted by his continued and blind self-focus, then either his “vision” must be altered or he risks a brand new name: Mr. Magoo/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (Wikipedia photo of Mr. Magoo)

Question: Anyone out there remember Mr. Magoo?

John McGee would have done himself a lot of good had he simply resigned from Senate leadership.  I think somehow this situation has become worse, not better, because of the GOP Caucus meeting last week.   Now, every GOP Senator (perhaps every legislator) has somehow become wrapped in John’s cocoon — and the Senate Democrat Leadership sees this opportunity.  As the press rolled out, following the “Caucus confidence vote”, I believe that it became apparent to a number of GOP senators that they were now perceived to be supporting John, and even comfortable with his behavior — even though they are not/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

Question: Has John McGee become the Idaho Senate equivalent to Rep. Phil Hart — a pariah that hamstrings GOP legislative leadership?

Win or lose today, the nation will focus its eyes on the Denver-New England NFL game and wonder out loud if it's appropriate for sports heroes like Tim Tebow to “force” his faith on the rest of us who are watching his team on TV. Whether he wins or loses tonight, Tebow will be interviewed. And he'll utter his well-known sentence, ” I'd like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” -  which has caused not only an awkwardness but an antipathy/anger in many circles - and it will be broadcast across the world, once more. And people will be angry and EVEN portray Tebow as being an angry man and SNL will mock him and so on and so on…even to the point that Playboy Playmates mock Tebow's prayer stance. What they don't realize, I'd bet, is that every knee will eventually bow. (Romans 10:9-10). They do not like this “new thing” of overt and public Christian evangelism/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

Question: Would you want your daughter to marry a guy like Tim Tebow?

On his blog, Dennis Mansfield points to the who's who of Idaho politics who support GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney — and then declares something unusual happened Friday — an anti-establishment candidate won the GOP straw poll. Ron Paul. Quoth Dennis: “Some might argue that the Straw Poll was merely a 'fundraiser' for the state GOP (paying $30 to vote in it could give that impression) — but it was a POLL that Ron Paul will gladly celebrate nationally…and Romney will attempt to deflect intentionally. But, a win over Santorum by 8 votes in Iowa… and a loss to Ron Paul in Idaho? If I were Romney's staff, I'd wonder why this 'fundraiser'/straw poll was not invested in by Mitt supporters. After all, they HAVE the money to spend … So, until March's Super Tuesday the nation will believe that Idaho is owned by Ron Paul.” More here. (In this April 2008 file IPT/AP file photo by Mike Vogt, Ron Paul prepares to sign his book, “The Revolution,” during a visit to Caldwell)

Question: Does Ron Paul “own” Idaho?

I love neighborhoods that subscribe to familiar “watch programs.” It's a case of neighbors helping neighbors. And it works. Often in politics, when citizens are busy living their lives, the only people looking at certain things are lobbyists, politicos, elected officials and (at times) bloggers, including me. So, I decided to look around and see how my “neighborhood” was doing. Were people OK? Anyone sick? I looked at current-State Senator Mike McGee of Idaho to do a follow-up on his illness. Illness? What illness? Well, back when he was arrested for the drunk driving and boorish behavior of grand theft of an auto, part of current-Senator McGee's defense was that he was ill, with a “likely” head problem/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (Illustration courtesy of Dennis Mansfield)

Question: Have the always accommodating Republican leadership of the Idaho Legislature officially swept McGee's misstep under the rug, hoping HucksOnline and loyal supporters, like Dennis Mansfield, won't notice and go away?

Item: Idaho man charged with attempted assassination/AP

Dennis Mansfield: Just as time was on Idaho's side regarding Nazis moving away, multiple marriages stopping and toe-tapping going silent in airport men's rooms, an apparently mentally ill guy from Idaho is arrested, The Blaze reports - for the firing of rounds at the White House. It's not just Idaho…it's Idaho Falls, Idaho … just so we get tagged doubly. More here.

Question: Will Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez join toe-tapping Larry Craig and the nearly departed Nazis as another kooky face of Idaho?

The 1-point loss by the Boise State Broncos to the TCU Horned Frogs was a difficult end-of-game to watch. The field goal was a reoccurring nightmare to many people. But not to me. In fact, the team's exemplary playing at home for YEARS has been something about which I am extremely proud. A streak was broken, for sure. A new streak starts next week. And just HOW the Bronco players handled the razor-thin loss shows more deeply how the Boise State Broncos REALLY are America's team. From Kellen Moore to Coach Pete, the post-game words were gracious and specific. The FG was  “just a play, like so many others during the game”/Dennis Mansfield. More here. (AP photo of BSU QB Kellen Moore reacting after losing to TCU 36-35 Saturday)

• Here's looking at you, kid/Fort Boise
• Interior report spotlights Boulder-White Clouds/ICL
• A conversation with Gov. Butch Otter/Idaho Conservative Blogger
• Stegner's new UI post comes w/$124K pay, pension payoff/Idaho Reporter
• Nike's Joe Paterno child development center/Randy Stapilus
• Video shows biologists searching for Cascade grizzlies/Rocky Barker

Question: Do you consider Boise State's Broncos to be America's college football team?

Movember is upon us, beginning this Tuesday. No, NOT just November, MOvember, baby. In the US, in Europe and even down under in Australia. Mustache time, pardner…. to fight prostate cancer in men. In anticipation of last week's post of the 130th anniversary of the Earp brothers historic gunfight, I found myself inundated by mustaches from the 19th Century and Hollywood. Huge things. Huge hairy 'staches of Wyatt and Virgil and Morgan … as well as a pencil thin one from Doc Holliday. It caused me to reminisce. See, 35+ years ago I grew out “The 'stache that NEVER quit growing.” And I kept it, for the most part/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

Question (for men): Have you ever worn a mustache? Or (for women): Do you like to see men wearing mustaches?

Protestors participating in the Occupy Wall Street protests face police during a march towards Wall Street this morning in New York. At least ten people were arrested during the march, which began after protestors heard the news that the owners of Zuccotti Park had withdrawn their request to have the park cleaned by the New York Police Department. (AP Photo/Andrew Burton)

Dennis Mansfield writes: I've been watching the OccupyWallStreet, OccupyBoise, OccupyWhatever movement and have come to some fairly odd conclusions that I'd like to share. Plus I've been listening to Austin Hill's show on 580KIDO and have been able to hear guys like “Bobby” who works at WalMart and is so angry that CEOs have fancy cars and he drives an old Honda. He stated he wants “his” Bentley … First, I can't just blog on them from my “voice”, as a 55 year old “bidness guy”. I have to mold myself into a 20-something-year-old revolutionary and give comment. More here.

Question: Do you view Occupy Wall Street protesters as neo-21st Century flower children?

In a Sunday post, Dennis Mansfield, a long-time figure in Idaho's conservative politics, writes: “John McGee must resign his Senate seat at the soonest possible time. He has brought about “behavior unbecoming the Idaho State Senate” by his actions this year - and proper government demands that he leave office. His service in the State Senate and on behalf of the people of Idaho must immediately be ended.” Yes, Mansfield is reacting to the recent disclosure that McGee was taking per diem money while staying at his parents' place. He also mentions the curious case of McGee's DUI arrest earlier this year. But the final straw for Mansfield came recently when he learned of McGee's role in a calloused firing of a young legislative staffer for DUI. You can read the entire post here.

• Sen Hill: McGee's DUI & attache's departure are apples and oranges/Dan Popkey, Statesman

Question: Is it time for state Sen. John McGee to pack it in?

I remember when I first blogged on the possibility of Hillary Clinton resigning her position as Sec of State in order to run against President Obama. Folks responded with a variety-on-the-same-theme: “What are you smokin'?” After years of working with ex-addicts and ex-inmates, I laughed…sort of. “You don't have to be high, to see illusions”, I remember telling a friend. “Obama's strength is an illusion. That's where the pipe-dream is.” Barack Obama, the President, is not who the Democrats voted for when they chose him as Barack Obama, The Nominee/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

Other Idaho Blogs:

• Ukulele superstar: Roman Kudela/CowDiva
• Let's go for a ride, let's swim through the tide/Fort Boise
• Speaking Spanish puts children at risk/MeAndG, 43rd State Blues
• Trout stream or motorcycle trail/Idaho Conservation League
• College football: The case for reform/Marc Johnson, Johnson Report
• Senseless Pat Robertson/The Political Game
• Carlson: The grain of truth/Ridenbaugh Press
• Elwha ceremony recalls how treaty fight changed Northwest/Rocky Barker

Question: Who would you prefer to run as the Democratic nominee in 2012: President Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?