Keeping company with some prominent national Republicans, Idaho 2nd Congressional District Rep. Mike Simpson made a dubious Top 10 list this week. Simpson was ranked No. 4 by the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board, in a year-in-review list of Congress’ Top 10 “enemies of the earth.” All 10 “enemies” are Republicans. Wrote the Times’ editorial board: “Simpson has stepped to the front lines of his party's war on Mother Nature by adding dozens of anti-environment riders to must-pass budget legislation. Among other things, Simpson aims to let mountaintop coal-mining operations continue to pollute streams, prevent the EPA from regulating coal-ash disposal, and exempt pesticide sprayers from complying with the Clean Water Act”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Do you see bias in that the L.A. Times' enviro “enemies” list has only Republicans in Top 10?

Minnick is the first Democrat in 16 years to win a congressional seat in Idaho, which may be the most Republican state in the country. His narrow victory was a small but striking example of Democrats’ growing political strength in the Rocky Mountain region; six of the 21 House seats the party gained in November were won out West. But success brings its own set of challenges. If Democrats hope to remain a majority party nationally, they will have to embrace a fresh breed of Western candidate like Minnick, 66, a former corporate executive who campaigned as a pro-gun, anti-tax, small-government conservative and shows every intention of behaving like one. Party leaders seem mindful of that reality. Days after the stimulus bill passed the House and the rookie lawmaker published his criticism in newspapers across Idaho, Minnick was invited to fly home as Vice President Joe Biden’s guest aboard Air Force Two. He reluctantly skipped the trip to Boise and the Special Olympics rather than miss a day of votes/Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times. More here.

Question: Some Idaho Demos are upset that new Congressman Walt Minnick is behaving like a Republican. Does that bother you?