A group led by an former Republican congressman who retired last year citing frustration with Washington gridlock has chosen Idaho 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson as the first of a handful of GOP incumbents to support in 2014. Former Rep. Steve LaTourette of Ohio announced the effort Tuesday in reaction to last week’s announcement from the anti-tax group Club for Growth that Simpson is their first 2014 target. Club president Chris Chocola, a former two-term Indiana GOP congressman, told me his group will spend “spend as much as we can” to defeat Simpson and support newcomer Bryan Smith, an Idaho Falls lawyer/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: There are centrist Republicans in this country?