It isn’t every day that a Dem congressional candidate in blood-red Idaho asks for support from a man who spoke at the 2008 GOP national convention on behalf of presidential candidate John McCain. And gets it. But Jimmy Farris is special to former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. Farris, who lasted eight years with five teams in the tough NFL after playing high school football at Lewiston, contacted his old coach when he decided to run for Republican congressman Raul Labrador’s 1st District seat. Farris told Huckleberries Thursday that he talked with Gibbs’ secretary, Cindy Mangum, when he couldn’t reach his old mentor. Later, Gibbs left a phone message in which he asked Farris whether he was running as a Republican or a Democrat. Chuckling, Gibbs said that Farris would get his vote if he ran as a Republican, and he’d get secretary Cindy’s vote if he ran as a Democrat. Then, turning serious, Farris said, the coach assured him that he would support his former player/DFO, Sunday SR Huckleberries. Full column here.

Question: Can a Democrat win the 1st Congressional District seat?

HucksOnline is interviewing Democratic congressional candidate Jimmy Farris (a former professional football player who played in the NFL for 8 years with San Francisco, New England, Atlanta, Washington & Jacksonville. He's wearing a huge Super Bowl ring earned during his time with New England). You can see Farris' Web site here:

Question: Is it harder to play in the NFL than it is to run for Congress as an Idaho Democrat?

Jimmy Farris: There are a lot of parallels. I was a long shot in both situations. I was definitely an underdog to make it to the NFL out of Lewiston, Idaho. I'm average size — 6 foot, 200 pounds. But so many things that I used to achieve that goal of playing in the NFL are the exact things I'm using now to run a campaign as a Democrat in a state where I'm a long shot.

• Question: Such as what?
• Jimmy Farris: The fundamentals. Hard work. Commitment. Dedication. Passion. And a desire to strive for something that's really important to me.
• Question: Has any of your former coaches or colleagues contacted you about this race?
• Jimmy Farris: I've been in regular contact with (former Washington Redskins) Coach Joe Gibbs. I've sought his advice. We talked about what he felt was important to people, characteristics and qualities that are missing from Congress. He talked about the need for people who want to do what's right and fix problems.
• More below

JEERS … to U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, both R-Idaho. The Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 may be just sloppily drafted. Or the measure - which all three Republicans joined in passing Tuesday by a 274-146 vote — might deliberately expose the nation's wilderness lands to all-terrain vehicles, off-road traffic, motor boats and aircraft, as well as road-building, logging and mining. Ostensibly, it's about preserving the rights of hunters, anglers and recreationists - and putting endangered Democrats, such as Montana Sen. Jon Tester, on the wrong side of a National Rifle Association priority. The Wilderness Society is worried the bill seems to elevate rights of motorized recreationists, loggers and miners ahead of the wilderness values. If it were just the environmentalists saying so, you might dismiss it/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. Full Cheers & Jeers column here.

Question: Do you think the Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 compromised our national wilderness?

First District GOP Rep. Raul Labrador told a national TV audience Sunday that likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney shouldn't attempt to mediate concerns about Mormon theology. Appearing on NBC's “Meet the Press” Sunday as part of a panel on religion and politics, Labrador suggested Romney talk about his work as a missionary and as a bishop and stake president. Moderator David Gregory asked Labrador, who also is LDS, whether Romney should squarely address “discomfort” with theological concerns. Some evangelicals question Mormonism, even labeling it a cult/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here. (AP file photo of Mitt Romney)

Question: What do you want to know re: Mitt Romney's approach to faith?

Incumbent GOP Reps. Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador have received grades of “A-plus” and “A,” respectively, from the National Rifle Association. According to the NRA’s website, an A-plus candidate is “a legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.” An A signifies a “solidly pro-gun candidate” who “has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or (is) a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Is a candidate's NRA grade important to you?

The Left and their cohorts in the media love a personal story to illustrate the need for a government-centered society. Here’s one they wish they could manipulate. It’s the story of a single mother who sacrificed a lot to raise her only son in Puerto Rico. Rather than teach him that he’s a victim of his circumstances in life, his mother taught him that with hard work and good character, he could achieve anything. She taught him that the success of others should be emulated, not envied. Eventually, the woman took her now-teenage son to Las Vegas, where she worked long hours in the hospitality industry. She also enrolled at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She took one class per semester until she earned her degree in education and became a teacher. Meanwhile, the boy learned from his mother's work ethic and determination/Lisa De Pasquale, Townhall. More here.

Question: Do you still consider this country to be a land of opportunity for those willing to work hard to succeed?

From Labrador spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael: Congressman Labrador just spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during the budget debate. In his speech, Congressman Labrador detailed his upbringing in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet, Congressman Labrador was taught not to envy the success or covet the wealth of the prosperous. Instead, his mother encouraged him to aspire to become a successful person to create a life better than the one he had. In today’s speech, Congressman Labrador said, “If my mother would have had the same mentality the other side has, I would have never been able to amount to anything in my life, because what they believe is the only way you can actually amount to something is if you take from the ones who have if you are a have-not.” Video of speech here.

Question: How did your mother help you get a good start in life?

You might think it would be difficult to find a new way to insult Congress. Back in 1873, Mark Twain said, “I never can think of Judas Iscariot without losing my temper. To my mind, Judas Iscariot was nothing but a low, mean, premature, Congressman.” And in the 1930s, humorist Will Rogers said, “This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.” But it seems that Moscow's congressman, first-term Republican Raul Labrador (pictured), has found a way.Early last week, he said Congress is worse than the Idaho Legislature. Quite a putdown, that. The Spokesman's Betsy Z. Russell wrote that Labrador told the Idaho House and Senate since he's been in Washington, D.C., “My appreciation for the Idaho Legislature has only grown more”/Lee Rozen, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: Which group of politicians do you consider worse: U.S. Congress? Idaho Legislature?

Here's Congressman Raul Labrador's reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of Chantelle & Mike Sackett of Priest Lake: “I am overjoyed by the unanimous ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of my constituents, Chantelle and Mike Sackett of Priest Lake, in their case against the EPA. The federal government is an intimidating force against ordinary citizens, and standing up to its bureaucracy requires extraordinary bravery.  Thanks to the unwavering courage and selfless sacrifice of the Sacketts, Americans everywhere will be guaranteed the right to appeal a decision imposed by a government agency. Their victory also safeguards individual property rights against the encroachment of the federal government, a fundamental assurance of our Constitution. The EPA is one of the many federal government agencies whose overreach jeopardizes our civil liberties and obstructs our pursuit of prosperity.”

Question: Do you consider the EPA to be an overreaching, intimidating force against ordinary citizens?

Rep. Raul Labrador will be at The Coeur d'Alene Resort March 24 for an hour-long town hall style campaign event. From 2-3 p.m.in The Resort's Shore Room, the Republican congressman will discuss “issues that matter to Idahoans, and how Congressman Raul Labrador has kept his promises of 2010.” The event is hosted by The Raul Labrador for Idaho Committee/Coeur d'Alene Press.

DFO: The date for Congressman Labrador's town hall meeting coincides with the annual Kootenai County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. Which seems to indicate that the congressman will attend the speech by controversial speaker Richard Mack.

Question: Does anyone know which other high-ranking elected officials in Idaho will attend the Lincoln Day Dinner?

U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador told the Senate today that since he's been in Washington, D.C., “My appreciation for the Idaho Legislature has only grown more.” Addressing those lawmakers who are retiring this year, he said, “If you are anything like me, you will miss this place greatly. … I love working here because there is a true sense of duty that transcends party affiliation in the Idaho Legislature. This is not the case in Congress. … I have seen a sense of duty and service take a back seat to the goal of only scoring political points.” Labrador said, “I enjoyed working with Democrats and Republicans in the Idaho Legislature. … You don't want Washington-style politics creeping into Idaho”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Do you think the Democrats in the Idaho Legislature view the spirit of cooperation in the Capitol the same way as Labrador does?

Several hundred voters arrived before the doors opened at 4 p.m. for Tuesday's first-ever Idaho GOP presidential caucus. Lines for registration were moving smoothly and participants were given color-coded wristbands to spread them around the Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University. Among the early arrivals was 1st District GOP Rep. Raul Labrador, who said he will continue to keep his preference to himself. Labrador said he has supporters who divide their allegiance among all four major GOP candidates. “I have made it a point to not to endorse in this race,” Labrador said. “I don't think the people of Idaho want to know how I'm voting. They're independent and they're going to make up their own minds”/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), less than two years in office, quickly made a national mark by shining a bright light on the deeply troubling case of Operation Fast and Furious, the gun-running scandal that led to the murder of Border Agent Brian Terry in Arizona in December 2009. The lawyer from Eagle, Idaho, who has called for the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, has a message for the moderators at the Feb. 22 debate: Address the scandal and start a national discussion about the issue. “I would ask [the presidential candidates] what would they do to remedy the damage of ‘Fast and Furious’ and regain the confidence of the American people,” Labrador said in an interview with HUMAN EVENTS/Tony Lee, Human Events. More here. (Joe Jaszewski AP/Statesman file photo: Raul Labrador greets supporters on the Idaho Statehouse steps before announcing his campaign re-election last Monday)

Question: Why do you suppose that Republican presidential candidates have addresses the Fast & Furious controversy involving Attorney General Eric Holder only once in their 18 debates?

Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador announced his bid for a second term on the Statehouse steps today, flanked by more than 30 state lawmakers who served with him when he was a state representative and a bevy of the state's top GOP elected officials. Labrador said with the economy improving, “The government just simply needs to get out of the way.” He told an appreciative crowd of about 300. More here.

• Bill would ease recall requirements for library districts
• Proposed law change would treat microbreweries more like wineries
• Tax Commission: Cracking down on tax scofflaws makes it fairer to everyone
• New Commerce chief reorganizes department, focuses on jobs
• 2nd Dems jobs bill shot down without a hearing
• POST fee increase measure clears House committee
• 4 new bills introduced today to amend 'Students Come First' laws
• Bill headed to gov's desk eases state tuition rules for returning vets
• Senate votes down Schmidt amendment to anti-Occupy bill

“Washington has not changed me,” Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador declared today as he launched his bid for a second term in Congress. Here's evidence: The freshman congressman hasn't found himself a home to rent in Washington, D.C. while he's there - he's sleeping on his office couch instead, and returning to Idaho and his family each weekend. “I commute every week,” Labrador said. Asked how that's going, he said, “Planes are not my favorite thing - that's really the only tough part”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Have you been pleased/displeased with Congressman Raul Labrador's first 14 months in office?

House Republicans accused Attorney General Eric Holder of hiding information at a Thursday hearing over the botched “Fast and Furious” gun-trafficking investigation. Holder dismissed a call by Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, for him to quit, saying he’s not to blame for the scandal. Holder testified for four tense hours to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs about “Fast and Furious.” It was a botched operation in which the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives let illegal weapons flow across the border into Mexico and into hands of criminals as part of a failed sting operation meant to track the guns and nab drug lords. Some Republicans on the committee suggested that Holder was engaged in a cover-up and had been misleading Congress. “Because you have been grossly incompetent in the way that you have prepared before coming to Congress, I think you should resign,” Labrador said/Sean Cockerham, Idaho Statesman. More here. (AP photo: Attorney General Eric Holder testifies Thursday)

Reaction?

Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., left, leads members of the 112th Congress' freshman class, from second from left, Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., and Rep. Jeff Landry, R-La., during a news conference on Capitol Hill Washington today to announce their request that their Members Representative Allowance (MRA) funds leftover from Legislative Year 2011 be treated as a gift to reduce the debt held by the public and be transferred the U.S. Treasury to help immediately pay down the national debt. Story here. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

• Idaho Records/Sherry Adkins, SR
• Lake City preps to launch 1st fire boat/Anusha Roy, KXLY
• Idaho senators amend anti-Occupy bill/Betsy Russell, SR
• Toddler OK after car hits Spokane apartment/Ian Cull, KXLY
• Davlin: On redistricting and roadkill/Twin Falls Times-News
• Cottonwood man charged w/running over neighbor's dog/KHQ
• OIpinion: When winning is really losing/Twin Falls Times-News
• Audit reveals problems with Treasurer Ron Crane's records/AP
• Idaho 2012 recruiting class includes 3 QBs/Brian Murphy, Statesman
• Idaho F&G report to commission now online/Rich Landers, Outdoors
• Kootenai County will adjust precincts after redistricting/Alecia Warren, Press
• Griz RB pleads innocent to rape/Gwen Florio, Missoulian, and: report released
• Orbusmax Special: Groups head to Olympia for historic gay marriage vote here

Congressman Raúl Labrador (ID-01) participated in a press conference today with fellow conservative freshman members to request Speaker John Boehner direct their offices’ leftover funds of nearly $1.5 million to pay down the national debt.  Congressman Labrador will return approximately $300,000 or 21 percent of the money his office was allotted for Fiscal Year 2011. In a letter addressed to Speaker Boehner, eight conservative freshman members said: “We understand that regular order prescribes the unused portions of our MRAs to languish in a shared fund for two years before being transferred to the Treasury. Following this procedure at a time when our public debt surpasses the size of our very economy makes little fiscal sense and is a poor representation of this House’s commitment to fiscal responsibility”/Ellen L. Carmichael, press secretary of Congressman Raul Labrador. More here.

• Related: Tea Party Boise calls Labrador 'best member of the House'/Dan Popkey, Statesman

Question: What do you make of this gesture by Labrador and the 7 other conservative congressmen?

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?