Chenoweth Given No Quarter
“Give-‘Em-Helen” Chenoweth admits she sometimes puts her foot in her mouth. But she also has help in keeping it there.
The media always are ready to pounce on any slip of the congresswoman’s tongue and rarely give her credit for anything. How else can you explain coverage of the Aug. 28 helicopter tour of the Boise National Forest, featuring House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Floor Leader Dick Armey and GOP Whip Tom DeLay?
An Associated Press story briefly mentioned Chenoweth’s remarkable feat in bringing the House leadership to Idaho before dredging up two-week-old rumors she’d taken part in the failed coup against Gingrich. In the first two paragraphs, the story also worked Chenoweth over for seeking campaign donations nationally and elevated to possibly “significant” the Republican primary challenge from political unknown Tony Paquin.
Democrat Larry LaRocco, who’s still whining about his 1994 loss to Chenoweth, couldn’t have played down the visit by House leadership any better.
Since Idaho media aren’t willing to present this story unfiltered, I’ll let Chenoweth explain the visit’s importance: “The tour is a great opportunity to educate eastern congressmen and House leadership about not only forest health issues but also our way of life in Idaho.”
Period.
Moon shots cost more in Tennessee
Steve Mealey, the Idaho Fish and Game director, got off light after allegedly mooning the Lake Pend Oreille shoreline recently. He was suspended without pay for two weeks. The University of Tennessee, on the other hand, shelled out $300,000 to a female trainer who saw Quarterback Peyton Manning bare his backside during spring practice last year. But then, Idaho has a lower-standard of living than Tennessee - and lowercaliber moon shots, too.
What? Another study to gather dust?
Two acquaintances - one liberal and one conservative - agree on this: Coeur d’Alene has no business coughing up $45,000 to study ways to save the downtown. But I’m straddling the fence here. I’d love to see downtown thrive again. If it takes a few tax dollars to prime the pump, so be it. Yet, I also believe downtown problems have been studied to death. Basically, downtown needs lower lease rates, condominiums, a theater to attract evening visitors, unique shops and affordable goods and services. My secret formula costs a lot less than $45,000, too - just the four bits you paid for this morning’s paper.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.