I don't like political endorsements. I don't like to write them. I don't like to read them. I've argued with our Editorial Board re: suspending them -- and embracing issue-oriented editorials that could favor a candidate or group of candidates. I've lost that debate. Repeatedly. Publisher Stacey Cowles and Opinion Editor Doug Floyd still consider endorsements an important part of the community dialogure re: the sundry races that affect our communities. As a result, we will be endorsing in the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls races -- and possibly in the Hayden one, too. I expect a free-for-all in Post Falls with three of the four seats on the soon-to-be expanded council wide open. I expect the races in Coeur d'Alene to be brutal, with Duane Hagadone and the anti-LCDC crowd desperate to win half the council seats for a variety of personal and political reasons. I told Doug and the rest of the board today that I might have to pass on some candidate interviews in the CdA races. I don't have an open mind when it comes to individuals who have been bashing the library, Kroc Center and other progressive developments in this community for the past several years. But that doesn't mean I won't provide input in our discussions afterward. You can expect Duane Hagadone's paper to oppose the incumbents. I suspect we'll be solidly in the corners of two incuments if they choose to run again: Ron Edinger and Al Hassell. On the other hand, I won't even pretend to be neutral here at Huckleberries Online. Signups begin Monday and run through Sept. 7. Then, the games will begin.

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