We’ll Be Waiting To See Where The Dominoes Will Fall
What a difference three weeks make. At the beginning of September, House Speaker Mike Simpson, R-Blackfoot, said he wasn’t running for governor no matter what Republican Gov. Phil Batt did. Said Simpson then: “It’s too late to put together a campaign. Were he (Batt) to say tomorrow that he is not running, the only effective way to put together a campaign would be to resign from the Legislature. And I don’t want to do that.” And last week after Batt decided not to re-up? “I’m going to sit back and see how these dominoes start to fall before I make any decisions,” Simpson said. Ambition, plus opportunity, sure can turn a politician’s head. Who knows? If the dominoes fall right, we might see Simpson up here in North Idaho for the first time since the last blue moon.
Crapo thinks he’s worth more money
Last week, U.S. representatives fast-tracked legislation on a 231-192 vote that gave them a $3,072 cost-of-living raise. And a Hot Potato. Now, it’s time to name names. In our region, U.S. Reps. George Nethercutt, R-Washington, and Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, opposed the sneaky move; U.S. Rep. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, supported it. Said Nethercutt: “The American people expect, and deserve, a healthy debate on congressional pay levels. This was not the proper manner in which to handle this matter.” Usually, Hot Potatoes would ignore Crapo of Idaho’s Second Congressional District. If the dominoes fall just right, however, he might run for the U.S. Senate or governor. Then, he might represent us. Therefore, it’d be proper to ask him why he voted himself an extra $3,072 per year when he already was earning - and Hot Potatoes uses that term loosely - $133,600. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could vote ourselves a raise?
Tribal liaison shows candidates the way
Whoever runs for governor next year could use a few tips on how to advertise truthfully. And Laura Stensgar of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe is just the one to give them. Laura was the liaison for a newspaper ad touting the benefits of Idaho tribal gaming. The ad read in part: “In remote Bonner County … the Kootenai Tribe donated a significant amount of gaming proceeds to the general fund for their local health clinic.” The problem? The Kootenais are located in Boundary County. And they donated to local schools - not health care. Laura was so upset when she learned of the error that she pulled the ad. Said she: “We don’t want to put anything out that’s not true.” As for next year’s candidates? Go, thou, and do likewise. , 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.