Campaign ‘96
That’ll be a cold day in Idaho
When in Lewiston stumping for a statewide initiative to raise the minimum wage, Democratic U.S. Senate contender Walt Minnick first presented his copy of the petition to a woman who turned out to be Susan Fagan. Fagan is the local representative for Minnick’s opponent, Republican U.S. Sen. Larry Craig. Fagan declined to sign. Coincidentally, Minnick’s final sales attempt in Lewiston was with Craig Bruns, Nez Perce County Republican Party chairman. Suppose Minnick will try to get Craig to sign it next?
Dialing for politicians
Advertising himself as accessible, Idaho State Senate candidate Tom Daugherty put his telephone numbers on a campaign flier. Callers may not land a ready-to-listen politician if they try the home number. The Republican hopeful for the District 2 seat has the wrong number on his literature. In case you’re wondering, the correct number is 772-7424. Sympathy cards probably should be addressed to the person who owns the number Daugherty advertised.
Do as I say, not as I said I would do
Kootenai County Commissioner Dick Panabaker did some back-handed grumbling about single-issue candidate Ron Rankin last week, saying there’s more to governing than just cutting property taxes. After some gentle reminding, however, Panabaker admitted he and fellow commissioner Dick Compton rode the same anti-tax wave into office with promises to cut, cut, cut. And on Compton’s 1994 campaign slogan: “Property Taxes are Outrageous!” But, Panabaker said, “you learn a lot after you’ve been on the inside.”
But will you be there in November?
After only one term in office, Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene, is growing weary of facing mystery opponents. In 1994, the Republican insurance broker faced Democrat Kathie Wilson, until she decided the race was too costly and dropped out. Democrats then appointed Al Sharon, whom Alltus handily defeated. Now, Alltus’ 1996 Democrat opponent, Cecil Kelly, is telling folks he has to score big in Tuesday’s primary (in which he’s running unopposed) or Democrats will replace him, too.
The dark, forested side of the moon
Apparently, the timber supply outlook is scarier than we thought. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig issued a press alert that he met with former “NASA astronaut” Richard Hieb about 10 days ago. The topic of discussion: “space technology that might be put to use in forestry and agriculture.” Would the salvage logging rider exempt harvest appeals on the moon?
But they all know who’s MVP for the Bulls
A startling 54 percent of all Americans incorrectly named both of the U.S. senators from their state and 67 percent couldn’t say who their state sent to the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a survey by the Washington Post. That’s likely not true for Idaho, at least for U.S. representative, where Helen Chenoweth may be better known than the governor.
All fired up
Chenoweth, meanwhile, is taking swipes at Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt - a rite of passage for Western politicians - for advocating allowing too many fires in the national forests and out on the publicly owned range. That’s “not using taxpayer dollars efficiently or effectively,” Chenoweth said. As to those timber sale subsidies?
Campaign Calendar
Tuesday is the primary election in Idaho. People not registered to vote can do so at the polls with proof of residency.
June 20-22 is the Republican State Convention in Nampa.
June 20-23 is the Democratic State Convention in Boise.
, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during the campaign season and is compiled from staff reports. To submit information on a political event or a question you want the candidates to answer, write us c/o The Idaho Spokesman-Review, 608 Northwest Boulevard, Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814. Or call Cityline at (208) 765-8811 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9893 to leave a message, your name and phone number.