Campaign ‘98
What’s your point?
When asked how he was last week, Cecil Kelly III reported, “Fat, happy, middle aged and running for county commissioner.” There’s a slogan for the Kootenai County voters.
Smoke and mirrors I
U.S. Senate candidate Mike Crapo took a small step in the morality march last week by agreeing not to take political contributions from tobacco interests. Of course he hasn’t yet committed to giving back any tobacco bucks left in that war chest from his days of running for southern Idaho’s congressional seat. And naturally Democratic opponent Bill Mauk isn’t happy. He wants Crapo to give up money from “alcohol, beer and wine interests.” Here’s a hint from Webster’s Dictionary: wine and beer are alcohol.
Smoke and mirrors II
Meanwhile back at the ranch, U.S. Sen. Dirk Kempthorne launched a missive against the Forest Service for some controlled burning that was sending haze to Boise. The Forest Service ought to follow the Clean Air Act, Kempthorne complained. Not that he advocates it follow the Endangered Species Act when it interferes with mining, logging and grazing. Of course, Kempthorne is clearing the air for his return to Boise in hopes of becoming governor.
Mysteriously quiet
It seems incredible to report a week passing without Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin offering colorful rhetoric on every topic of interest. But when the Kootenai County Senior Coalition launched its petition drive to expand the Kootenai County Commission from three to five members, ranklin’ Rankin was nowhere to be found. No matter. We know he would insist that keeping the tally at three is more efficient. After all, the commissioners just built a new county building but there are offices for only three commissioners. Those in power rarely want to share.
And if you want to put up a billboard
Kootenai County Commission candidate Jim Sinsley, who launched his money-raising campaign with a garage sale, isn’t missing any other opportunities to show his name. One of Sinsley’s campaign signs has sprouted in the yard of former Commissioner Bob MacDonald. Of course, Sinsley’s opponent is incumbent Ron Rankin, who unseated MacDonald.
Hello NOW?
U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth used her soapbox to complain that her bad image is a result of bias in the press against women. That’s bringing widespread chortles from other prominent women in Idaho politics. Making outrageous remarks is Chenoweth’s signature, notes Mary Lou Reed, who served a dozen years as state Senator. And Chenoweth insists on being called Congressman. “Helen Chenoweth has earned her image as a kooky politician fair and square,” Reed said. “She’s not bumping through the glass ceiling, she’s trying to shed her off-the-wall baggage.” Chenoweth is undaunted by those jabs. By the end of the week she was telling reporters that Lewis and Clark didn’t find any game coming over Lolo Pass because the old-growth forests there didn’t support wildlife.
Collusion alert
Our most interesting report from the land of strange bedfellows stems from the Kootenai County Commission race. Independent Mike Stine and Republican Jim Sinsley were introduced in the lobby of The Spokesman-Review building recently. Before the chat was over they were exchanging telephone numbers and talking about the need for a strategy meeting. Stine and Sinsley are running for different districts. The top question here, however, is whether such harmony would follow them into office.