Posts tagged: Legacy
Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter has six years in office under his belt and two more to go. But what does he have to show for it? To say he has the thinnest legacy since Gov. (Big) Don Samuelson would be taking an unfair poke at Samuelson. Idaho's 25th governor, Samuelson served from 1967 to 1971. He generally rates near the least successful governors. He was a terrible public speaker. He suffered comparisons to his predecessor, Robert Smylie, and his successor, Cecil Andrus. And the voters denied him a second term. By contrast, Otter is an exceptional retail politician who has won three terms in Congress, two as governor and could have a third for the asking. But in terms of governing, Samuelson's record is not insignificant/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here. (AP file photo of Butch Otter at the end of 2012 Legislature)
Question: What has Butch Otter accomplished in his 6 years as governor?
Add it all up, and Craig probably steered more of Uncle Sam’s natural resources into private hands than any other senator in the last 20 years. Given this, it’s unlikely that his legacy will be honored with a Larry Craig Wilderness Area. But anyone who owns a mining corporation, or a cattle ranch, or - and I mean this sincerely - a logging operation should be saddened that Craig has left the Capitol building. Everyone else who likes to hunt, fish and camp on public lands should applaud his departure. The sad truth is that, given the chance, Craig would side with extractive industry every time in its quest to squeeze money from your favorite forest, river or picnic spot/William Brock, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.
Question: Aside from the scandal that dogged former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig at the end of his career, what do you think his final legacy was?