Campaign ‘98

Stand and deliver

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth demanded musical chairs just days before her debate on Idaho Public Television this weekend, we’re reliably informed. She supposedly said she didn’t want to sit next to challenger Dan Williams. Instead Chenoweth decreed she had to have a podium. She lost. Political observers are guessing Helen wanted to show her considerable height advantage over Williams. Well, there’s plenty of evidence that the voters are shallow enough to consider that.

Duckin’ Dirk

Speaking of public appearances, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dirk Kempthorne was mum on his virtual absence from the debate circuit this election season during his face-off with Democrat Bob Huntley and independent Peter Rickards on Idaho Public Television Thursday night. It’s Kempthorne’s only debate appearance this election season despite the fact he’s raised 10 times as much money, has six times as great a margin and nearly nothing to lose. Huntley noted that Kempthorne was even avoiding a long tradition of gubernatorial candidates having several debates. Kempthorne didn’t reply.

Adulterous animosity

That same public television debate brought a question about whether any of the gubernatorial candidates had ever had an extramarital affair. All three said absolutely not. Kempthorne then turned the question around on Idaho Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell, whose response was clouded by the moderator cutting in. Russell also answered no.

Shoe-leather Larry

Any question that the Chenoweth-Williams contest is tighter than a rusted bolt is being dispelled in Moscow this week. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig is making the door-to-door marathon on behalf of Chenoweth. That’s pretty dramatic considering Williams waxed Chenoweth in liberal Latah County in 1996. Craig, by the way, apparently is on the Palouse to interview interns at the University of Idaho after being relentlessly hammered by a Moscow-Pullman Daily News columnist for only hiring out-of-staters for the intern slots.

Disappearing lingo division

Bill Clinton, Ken Starr and the Republican Congress have irreparably changed the English language this year in ways that have no doubt been overreported. One as-yet unmentioned change voters should anticipate: The slogan “Politics makes for strange bedfellows” will never again be associated with its original, less risque meaning.

‘Not what I meant’ department

Speaking of unintended lingo, Lt. Gov. candidate Sue Reents and Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Marilyn Howard blundered into their own words late last week with an attempt at a clever press ploy. This pair of Democrats posed in an area playground and then passed the photograph to newspapers hoping for a little publicity about their efforts for kids. It backfires on delivery. The caption, stuck immediately next to the candidates, reads “Sue Reents (left) and Marilyn Howard. Don’t our children deserve more than this?” More than the candidates or the playground?