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Eye on Boise: Sen. Steven Thayn calls on conservatives to ‘do something,’ not just complain
Like his previous books, it’s published in a small format, about the size of a pocket U.S. Constitution.
The thesis? “That libertarian conservatism is ineffective,” Thayn said. Instead, he’s calling for a “win-win” approach, defined as “empowering the citizens with local control over resources and choices.”
As an example, Thayn points to the “advanced opportunities” program he sponsored in the Legislature. The state is footing the bill for high school students to take advanced, college-level courses, with the result that they finish high school quicker, he said. “You’re actually saving the taxpayers money.”
“You can’t vote no all the time and complain and bitch and moan – you’ve got to do something,” Thayn declared. “It’s the philosophy of actually coming up with proposals rather than just saying, ‘We don’t like what’s being proposed.’ ”
Thayn said he got a fairly good reception from convention attendees.
“The value of trying to find a win-win solution is it engenders dialogue,” he said. “I don’t think the voters really want arguing for the sake of arguing.”
A passing convention attendee shook her head, averring that arguing has its value.
“There’s legitimate political differences we should talk about – there’s no question,” Thayn said. “But calling people names and telling half-truths is not beneficial.”
Asked if he’s talked with Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman about his idea, Thayn said, “Wayne Hoffman is the poster child for libertarian conservatism.” He said he did talk with Hoffman, but when asked how Hoffman responded to Thayn’s ideas, Thayn said, “We never got that far – that’s enough said.”
A second-term senator who previously served three terms in the House, Thayn said, “The Idaho Legislature, I think, is moving to a win-win approach. I think you’re getting more people who are interested in dialogue than just taking ideological approaches. It is uncomfortable, but we need to dialogue.”
Labrador names campaign team
Idaho 1st District Congressman Raúl Labrador has announced his campaign team, as the Republican seeks a fourth term in the House. He faces Democrat James Piotrowski, a Boise labor attorney, in the November election.
“Representing the people of the 1st Congressional District is a tremendous honor and I do not take their support for granted,” Labrador said. “As their elected representative, I have a responsibility to tell the people of Idaho what I am doing to represent them and why I am asking for their vote. As I prepare for the future, I’m excited that we’ve put together one of the best political teams in Idaho and I’m looking forward to sharing my vision for a stronger Idaho and a more prosperous nation.”
His campaign manager will be China Gum, who also managed his 2012 re-election campaign and has been serving as a senior political adviser to Labrador. Daniel Tellez, who most recently was digital and communications director for the Idaho Republican Party, will be his field coordinator.
Labrador also named a cadre of consultants: Michael Clingaman and Anthony Bonna of the Stoneridge Group, who will oversee online engagement, messaging and digital strategy, direct mail and voter contact; Brock Lowrance and Jon Downs from FP1 Strategies, messaging and political advertising; and Glen Bolger and Robert Blizzard, Public Opinion Strategies, for political strategy and polling.
In addition, he named Vicki and Lamont Keen and Milford Terrell as finance co-chairs; and Norm Semanko, former Idaho GOP chairman, as head of a coalition of 19 county leadership teams.
Fish and Game panel controversy
Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Mark Doerr of Twin Falls has joined commission Chairman Will Naillon in announcing he won’t reapply for his post – and criticizing state legislators for meddling in the management of fish and wildlife in Idaho, according to the Lewiston Tribune. “We serve at the pleasure of the governor,” Doerr said, “and if he wanted to reappoint me, he would do that.”
Otter surprised many when he announced he was taking applications for the two commission posts, and that the commissioners could reapply if they wished; normally, commissioners are either reappointed by the governor or not. Both Naillon and Doerr said they’re accepting Otter’s offer to serve on a panel that will select their replacements.
Doerr, in a statement, said legislation that was introduced this year by Senate Resources Chairman Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, and House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, that would have forced the commission to offer big game hunting tags for auction, is at the heart of the dispute. The bill never got a hearing; Idaho sportsmen have strongly opposed moves to make it easier for wealthy individuals to get coveted big game tags and to allow large landowners to sell hunting tags.
“After several meetings with legislative leadership, it became abundantly clear that they wanted the commission to do their dirty work for them by changing commission policy,” Doerr said in his statement. “The commission did not change policy due to the overwhelming input of the sportsmen of Idaho to maintain the current policy. The legislators were not happy and it is unfortunate their influence impacted the governor’s decision on commission reappointments.”