Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko defends his party's closed primaries: “To help better explain why the Idaho Republican Party supported such a change, it might help to imagine a rivalry football game between the Boise State Broncos and the Idaho Vandals (unfortunately, imagination is all we are left with in this rivalary these days) in which Coach Peterson selected the starting lineup for the Vandals, and Coach Akey selected the starting lineup for the Broncos. You would say that is crazy!  But that is precisely what has happened in Idaho primary elections for almost 40 years.  Non-GOP voters regularly switched over and voted in the Republican primary since they know their parties have difficulties electing their own candidates. In fact, a survey conducted in 2010 by a professional pollster found that almost 40% of non-GOP voters in Idaho admitted to having voted in a Republican primary. This was just further evidence of the need for a change to Idaho’s open primary system.” Full statement here.

Question: Have you ever crossed over to vote Republican before? Do you plan to do so Tuesday?

“The Idaho State GOP enthusiastically welcomes Governor Mitt Romney as our Party’s presumptive nominee. Starting on March 6 when Idaho Republicans selected Governor Romney as their nominee through Idaho’s first Republican Caucus, and running through the November elections, we look forward to playing a leading role in working with Governor Romney, the Republican National Committee and other state parties around the country to secure his election. Barack Obama has taken our country and Idaho down the wrong direction and Governor Romney is the only candidate to get us back on track.   Americans and Idahoans deserve a president who is serious about creating jobs and turning around the economy. They don’t have that right now – but they will when Mitt Romney is President”/Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko, from news release.

Thoughts?

Chairman Norm Semanko Statement on Two Year Anniversary of President Obama signing his massive government takeover of health care into law: “Despite the president’s promises, ObamaCare has left Idaho undeniably worse off.  Health care costs will continue to skyrocket into the foreseeable future, and Americans have less freedom to make their own health care decisions. Under ObamaCare, Idaho families will pay more for health care, and taxpayers will foot the bill for increased government spending.  Unaccountable government bureaucrats will make decisions once left to patients and their doctors.  Millions could lose the insurance they receive from their employers, even though President Obama promised that would never happen. We cannot afford ObamaCare.” More below.

Question: Do you support or oppose the federal health-care law pushed by President Obama?

Denney (left) and Semanko (right) got caught up in trying to out-conservative their own conservative party. We have seen this attitude play out too often right here in Kootenai County, and inevitably, it serves neither the citizens at large nor the Republican Party itself. This Constitutionalist/Libertarian wing of the party represents a political splinter group so contrary to the basics of good government that the county's Reagan Republicans have distanced themselves from their alleged party mates. … We're hopeful that the Republican Party will find leaders more in tune with this great state's ideals, and we offer a sincere suggestion for those who argue that the party isn't conservative enough: Declare yourself a Constitutionalist, a Libertarian or even an anarchist, but stop masquerading as something you're not/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press Editorial Board. More here.

Question: What do you make of Mike's point that the Constitutionalists/Libertarians/militia, etc., embedded in the local Republican Party should be honest enough to quit masquerading as something they're not?

Here's what you don't know about last week's Idaho Supreme Court rejection of the GOP insurgency against the citizen redistricting commission. The insurgents couldn't shoot straight. Which is rather funny when you consider how many times they've said that about Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.Their latest challenge to Wasden followed the Supreme Court nixing the commission's original plan to realign Idaho's population growth to its 35 legislative districts, sending the panel back to work on a new mock-up. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko tried to fire their appointees, former state Reps. Dolores Crow, R-Nampa, and Randy Hansen, R-Twin Falls.After Denney and Semanko lost, the six-member panel went back to work and adopted a new plan. But the court didn't say Denney and Semanko were wrong. It tossed the case because the attorney representing the speaker and the chairman dropped the ball/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Whose opinion would you trust move on a legal issue involving the Idaho Legislature — attorney general Lawrence Wasden of House Speaker Lawerence Denney?

Gov. Butch Otter says he's spoken with three candidates to replace outgoing GOP Chairman Norm Semanko (pictured), who embarrassed Otter in 2008 when he ousted then-Chairman Kirk Sullivan. “I was roundly criticized by all you guys that I couldn't control my own party and I was probably the only governor in the United States that didn't have his choice as party chairman,” Otter told me late last week. “I've been able to work with Norm, but you know, I just don't want that to happen again.” … First District U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, a key player in boosting Semanko in 2008, said Monday that he's hoping to agree on a consensus candidate with Otter, as well as his GOP House colleague, Rep. Mike Simpson, and Idaho Republican Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Who would be a good choice to replace Norm Semanko as Idaho GOP chairman?

Idaho's bipartisan citizen redistricting commission has submitted its new legislative district plan, approved on a unanimous 6-0 vote, to Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa (pictured). Ysursa, joining the confab by phone from a meeting of the National Association of Secretaries of State, told the commissioners, “I sure want to thank you for all the work you've done.” He quoted Commissioner Sheila Olsen about a “triumph of civility,” and said in his view, that's what occurred in the commission. “We can get going for that May primary,” Ysursa said. “Obviously there could be lawsuits, but I think you've done a commendable job of it. Thank you all for your service”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Lawerence Denney plans to apologize to his caucus for his boorish behavior toward 2 appointed Republican redistricters and Norm Semanko doesn't plan to seek re-election to his office as Idaho GOP chairman. Do you think the redistricters have won the day and this plan will survive?

Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko has sent out a guest opinion defending his attempt to try to fire GOP redistricting commissioner Randy Hansen, touting the party's Idaho electoral successes and announcing that he won't seek another term as party chairman. Semanko wrote that the “secret to our success” was that “the grassroots of our Party was motivated and energized to recruit candidates and support them because they were included, and we weren't shy about standing up for our core, conservative Republican principles.” He wrote, “As I conclude my four year tenure as Chairman and hand the reins over to someone else at the Republican State Convention in Twin Falls this summer, this will be my proudest accomplishment”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Interesting point Semanko makes re: persons from Hansen's Twin Falls area being among those calling for his ouster. And that Twin Falls filed suit against the redistricting plan. What do you think?

House Speaker Lawerence Denney, left, and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko are shown during a North Idaho tour they took in May 2009 with Gov. Butch Otter.

Following is a joint Statement from Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko regarding the adverse Idaho Supreme Court’s decision on their redistricting lawsuit: “Unfortunately, the Idaho Supreme Court was unable to reach the merits of the case yesterday, opting instead to dismiss it on procedural grounds. As a result, the Court did not decide whether the Redistricting Commissioners can, in fact, be replaced. We are hopeful that the Court will have the opportunity to address the issue in the near future and are continuing to evaluate our legal options as we review the decision. In the meantime, the Commission will reconvene today with a cloud of uncertainty continuing to hang over it with regard to the ultimate legality of any new plan that it may adopt. That is the unfortunate reality of yesterday’s ruling.”

Question: Will the Idaho Republican Party be hurt/helped if it continues to try to replace redistricters Dolores Crow and Randy Hansen?

Angela Cross of Post Falls was in high spirits at a September 2009 Tea Party rally at the Greyhound Track in Post Falls. But she probably isn't as happy today. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled moments ago against a lawsuit by House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko to make her one of two replacements on the Idaho Redistricting Commission. The two GOP leaders tried to “fire” Republican redistricters Dolores Crow and Randy Hansen for not being partisan in drawing their boundaries. Betsy Russell's story here.

The Idaho Supreme Court has issued an order denying the petition from House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko asking the court to order Secretary of State Ben Ysursa to declare two vacancies on the state's citizen redistricting commission; you can read the order here. The court essentially ruled that Denney and Semanko hadn't come up with sufficient legal reasons why the court should take that action; this means their challenge is dead, and the citizen redistricting commission is good to go as-is; it's scheduled to meet tomorrow morning at 9/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Update: Challenge might not be over/AP

Question: Do you agree with Supreme Court decision on petition by Norm Semanko & Lawerence Denney?

If Republican leaders try to hijack the redistricting process, they run the risk of compromising years of “remarkable success” at the polls. That's the assessment from one of the architects of the GOP's success — Phil Batt, a former governor, lieutenant governor, legislator and state Republican chairman. Batt submitted a guest opinion today, criticizing House Speaker Lawerence Denney and GOP Chairman Norm Semanko for trying to fire redistricting commissioners Dolores Crow and Randy Hansen. Writes Batt: “Our party leaders want to sully the reapportionment process for more political gain. I guess they want 100 percent Republicans of their own variety (Dolores and I probably don’t qualify)/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here. (AP file photo of Phil Batt)

DFO: And you wonder why I continue to consider Phil Batt the most effective governor of my 30 years in North Idaho? I finally figured out what kind of Republican I am. I am a Phil Batt Republican — one who respects fair play and common sense over the hardline zealotry of those now in charge of the Idaho GOP.

Question: Is former Gov. Phil Batt right? Will continued heavy-handedness by Norm Semanko and GOP leaders undercut the Idaho Republican Party?

In targeting Idaho's independent redistricting commission for decapitation, Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko and House Speaker Lawerence Denney are all in. They're ignoring history. They're disenfranchising voters. They're wading deeply into illogical waters. And they've partnered with the legal equivalent of the Flat Earth Society. Where would they get the notion that they might pull it off? From the highest court in the state. Last week, the Idaho Supreme Court voted 4-1 to strike down the citizen commission's plan for realigning Idaho's population growth with its 35 legislative districts. That redistricting plan was a remarkable feat, accomplished quickly and unanimously by the commission's three Republican and three Democratic members/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Should the redistricting process be taken out of the hands of the Idaho Legislature altogether?

Update: House Speaker Lawerence Denney has appointed Bob Forrey of Nampa and State Chairman Norm Semanko has appointed Angela Cross of Post Falls.

The Republican Party is suing the secretary of state over redistricting in the Idaho Supreme Court, contending the party's chairman and the speaker of the House of Representatives have the power to fire their appointees and name new members to the panel. Republican Chairman Norm Semanko (right) and House Speaker Lawerence Denney (left) want to remove redistricting commissioners Randy Hansen, a former Twin Falls legislator, and Dolores Crow, a former House member from Nampa. But the Idaho attorney general says Semanko and Denney don't have the power to remove them, even though they appointed Hansen and Crow to the panel/Associated Press. More here.

Question: Would Kootenai County/North Idaho benefit from having a redistricter from Post Falls (if the Idaho GOP is permitted to replace current commissioners)?

The Idaho Democratic Party issued a statement this afternoon decrying the latest move by Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko (pictured) and GOP House Speaker Lawerence Denney to attempt to fire their two appointees to the state's bipartisan citizen redistricting commission. “Make no mistake, this is a Republican against Republican fight and a clear example of the unacceptable culture in the GOP-controlled Statehouse. That culture is one of ongoing bullying and arrogance as GOP leaders seek to purge moderate, reasonable lawmakers from their ranks,” the Dems' statement said/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• GOP conflicting legal opinion, redistricts will fight to stay
• Redistricter Hansen didn't know GOP was removing him 'til reporters called
• Denney, Semanko say they're replacing Crow, Hansen on redistricting panel

The following comment by Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko appeared on iSightonline: “On Super Tuesday, March 6th, the day of Idaho’s Republican Presidential Nomination Caucus, every county in the state will hold a County Caucus.  Instead of selecting Idaho’s nominee for the GOP presidential candidate at the polls in the May primaries, voters must show up to participate in their counties’ Caucuses.  Idaho has 32 delegates to send to the national convention.  That is more delegates than Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada.  Idaho will be a big, early prize for the winning Republican Presidential candidate, and we should expect to see candidates paying more attention to Idaho Republican voters.” More here.

Question: Do you agree with Chairman Semanko that Idaho is a big, early prize in the GOP presidential race?

Despite a stern anti-incumbent mood nationally, two West Ada County mayors easily survived rigorous attempts to paint them as spendthrifts in troubled times. Two-term Mayor Tammy de Weerd in Meridian parried attacks from former GOP Sen. Gerry Sweet that she was more interested in building a Taj MaCityHall than boosting the local economy. Eagle Mayor Jim Reynolds, challenged by a sophisticated opponent in lobbyist and City Councilman Norm Semanko, faced allegations of misspending $990 from the coffee fund. At 72, Reynolds appeared avuncular and kind, in contrast to the raw ambition of Semanko, 44-year-old Idaho Republican Party chair and a losing candidate for Congress in 2006/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Shouldn't the head of the Idaho Republican Party be able to win a mayor's race in Eagle?

Jeers … to Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko. For the poor schmucks who buy his malarkey, Semanko is all about getting “back to the basics; less government intrusion in our lives, more personal responsibilities and individual rights.” When your back is turned, Semanko is busy gobbling up your taxes. It's not enough that the Idaho Water Users Association - a nonprofit group that draws some of its money from cities, irrigation districts and water districts - pays Semanko $160,000 a year to serve as its executive director. The nonprofit also holds a loan on his Boise home. It started out as bridge loan for $136,000 a decade ago. Since then, Semanko borrowed another $40,000 and today he owes $161,305. Even in Idaho - which is becoming accustomed, if not downright desensitized, to the muck of Republican cronyism - this cozy arrangement reeks of self-dealing/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More Cheers & Jeers to come.

Question: Why do Idahoans put up with this nonsense?

The large and lingering loans Norm Semanko owe to his employer are legal. But when that’s the best that can be said about the practice, you’ve got problems. Semanko’s employer — the nonprofit and taxpayer-supported Idaho Water Users Association — should not be financing mortgages and home improvement projects for Semanko, its executive director. It’s an inappropriate way to spend the taxpayers’ money. And it’s a practice that is increasingly falling out of favor. Publicly traded companies can no longer bankroll executive loans, under a 2002 federal law passed in response to the Enron scandal. Other states have extended this ban to include nonprofit organizations, an example Idaho should follow. To be fair to the water users association and Semanko, their loan arrangement predates the regulatory-reform movement/Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: What do you make of Semanko's explanations for this loan?