If Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are intent on nominating Erika Malmen for a vacant U.S. District Court judgeship, they or their surrogates should be providing some cover for the Boise attorney, who appears to be short on judicial experience and long on political pull by way of husband Jeff Malmen. But that would engender an explanation for the entirety of a long candidate search extraordinary for its secrecy, if not the result. Wednesday, spokesman for both senators declined to discuss whether Malmen might indeed be their nominee, or what other names they may have forwarded to the White House for approval by President Obama/Spokesman-Review Editorial Board. More here.

Thoughts?