Campaign ‘98
Gaffe laughs I
Talk about Idaho extremism. United Vision for Idaho, a campaign finance reform advocacy group, had a booth at the Kootenai County Fair last week with T-shirts bearing the slogan “Democracy is not for Sale.” Complete with the Statue of Liberty. One dim bulb wandered up to the booth and quipped, “We’re not for democracy, we’re Republicans.” Some would argue this is half a democracy, considering the Potato State is essentially a one-party state. Republican, of course, not a Demo-cracy.
Gaffe laughs II
Not to be outdone in this season of silliness, U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth furthered her long-standing reputation for not knowing a live fish from a canned one to other animal ignorance. At a Wednesday press gathering, Chenoweth waxed that she was pleased “to know that with the good work of the Peregrine Fund out here that we’ve been able to delist the eagle.” Uh, Helen, the surprising fact is that the fund deals with peregrine falcons. The eagle is still listed as endangered.
Gaffe laughs III
Idaho Schools Superintendent Anne Fox, meanwhile, reconstructed the civics curriculum during her debate against Democratic challenger Marilyn Howard in front of the City Club of Boise. (By telephone. Fox overslept and missed her flight back to the big city.) Fox talked about her great relationship with the Legislature of “over 120 people.” That’s 105, Anne Fox then suggested keeping kids in school longer would cut down on teen pregnancy.
Rise and shine
A shuffle at the Legislature may bode well for Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, vice chairwoman of the all-powerful Revenue and Taxation Committee. The chairwoman, Republican Rep. Donna Jones of Payette, resigned to deal in matters related to real estate. Other people on the committee with more seniority have other chairmanships. They likely will be given first shot at the job. If not, Kellogg could get a powerful plum. If Jim Kempton, a Democrat from Albion, usurps Kellogg for the revenue committee post, however, expect Kellogg to take over the transportation committee. Let’s cheer for U.S. Highway 95 reconstruction.
Campaign calendar
Mike Wetherell and Wayne Kidwell, candidates for Idaho Supreme Court Justice, will hold their only public debate in Moscow on Thursday. The rhetorical wrestling starts at 4 p.m. in the University of Idaho law school courtroom.