Idaho Republicans Rally Troops Batt Urges Idaho To Lead Nation In The Majority Vote For Dole, Kemp Ticket In November

Idaho’s GOP leaders rallied the rank and file at the state Capitol on Monday, hoping to transfer the enthusiasm of last week’s national convention in what is already one of the nation’s most Republican states.

“We are on the road to success not only in Idaho but across the nation,” Gov. Phil Batt told the crowd of several hundred. “We’re going to spread our word to every corner of Idaho.”

Hailing the ticket of Bob Dole and Jack Kemp and their economic program anchored in a 15 percent across-the-board tax cut, Batt and others called for Idaho to lead the nation in the majority it gives the Republican ticket in November.

Sen. Larry Craig said he would be trying to get the nominees to visit Idaho in the next 11 weeks, quickly drawing a contrast between his unequivocal support for the Republican ticket and the seemingly lukewarm support for President Clinton of his Democratic challenger, Walt Minnick.

“There is no question where I stand on these candidates,” Craig declared. “Ask my opponent where he stands on Bill Clinton.”

Minnick, the Boise businessman who claims to be closing on Craig, was reluctant earlier this summer to say he would vote for Clinton. And he seemed to reinforce that by skipping a chance to talk with Clinton last weekend when the president stopped over at Idaho Falls on ending his Wyoming vacation.

He also is foregoing next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The campaign says it is not trying to keep its distance from Clinton, who barely beat Ross Perot for second place in Idaho four years ago.

“There’s only 2-1/2 months left to election day,’ Minnick said. “It’s rodeo and fair season. This is the time of year when it’s easiest to meet people. I’d rather do that than hobnob with the rich and famous in Chicago.”

Minnick also tried to dull the GOP post-convention glow, again criticizing the ticket’s tax cut and urging Idaho businessmen to evaluate it - and the people who support it such as Craig - “in the cold light of day.”

Spending cuts must come before tax reductions, Minnick argued as he has previously.

“We tried cutting taxes first in the 1980’s,” he said, “and all that give us was a sixfold increases in the national debt.”

But Republican leaders contend that the required budget cuts are assured this time around with the GOP also in control of Congress.

Dole is the odds on favorite to win Idaho’s four electoral votes in November. The state hasn’t voted for a Democratic president since 1964.