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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Edit: McGee Deserves Day In Court

For a lawmaker who has long championed restrictions on texting while driving, citing the risk to public safety, McGee’s arrest seemed all the more out of character with his political persona. The 38-year-old McGee lands on the short list of top recent Idaho political scandals. The results have been a mixed bag. Boise Mayor Brent Coles resigned in 2003 and served jail time over a City Hall spending scandal. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig reneged on his 2007 “intent” to resign when he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after a Minneapolis airport restroom arrest; Craig completed his term, then retired. Lt. Gov. Butch Otter rebounded from a 1993 drunken-driving conviction to climb the career ladder to Congress and the governor’s office. McGee’s political future is ripe for speculation, at a later date. McGee is, for now, a criminal suspect facing serious charges. No more — but also no less. He deserves his chance to answer to his charges/Kevin Richert, Statesman. More here.

Question: Obviously, McGee deserves a chance to explain his side of this bizarre story in court. But does that mean the public should be quiet re: speculation about this case and his political future?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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