When I think of Butch Otter, what comes to mind is this principled Republican congressman who had the courage to oppose the Patriot Act – at a time when it was not popular to do so. His defiance on that issue put him at odds with President Bush and many of his Republican colleagues, wanting to take drastic security measures in the wake of 9/11. But Otter’s interests went beyond reactionary politics. He talked about constitutional rights and the dangers of big government invading the privacy of Americans. Recently, Congress came around to Otter’s thinking by not renewing the Patriot Act. So, for me, it’s difficult to imagine this modern-day “Profile in Courage” – who is serving his third term as Idaho’s governor – essentially spitting on the state Constitution he took an oath to uphold, and trying to change the rules for his political convenience/Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly. More here.