Forty years ago, then Idaho 2nd District Congressman George V. Hansen faced two years in prison because he had violated campaign finance laws. Instead, U.S. District Judge George Hart asked aloud the question that has dogged students of Idaho politicians for some time: Is he evil or merely stupid? "I assumed when I sentenced him to jail he was evil," Hart said. "Now I am not so sure. Stupid, surely." All of which brings to mind the events surrounding Monday's special legislative session in Boise. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, was neither evil nor stupid when he assured a Boise talk radio program's audience he supported the nine House Judiciary and Rules Committee members who last month blocked Idaho's compliance with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. Although favored by the anti-federalist wing of the GOP, that measure's demise meant Idaho would lose federal funding and access to federal databases, undermining the state's ability to enforce child support payments to some 183,000 kids. So Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter called lawmakers back to Boise to pass the bill. After an 11-hour marathon, it cleared the House 49-21 and the Senate 33-2/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you agree with Marty Trillhaase that the Tea Party, Idaho Freedom Foundation and conservative radio scared some legislators into voting against the Child Support Enforcement bill in special session?