Many Republican Party leaders believe that Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the best bet to win nomination for president in 2008. But in a recent column, Robert Novak casts doubt on that:

“Prominent, respectable Evangelical Christians have told me, not for quotation, that millions of their co-religionists cannot and will not vote for Romney for president solely because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Novak notes that Romney’s father, George, was a Mormon and a presidential candidate in 1968, but his religious affiliation wasn’t as big a deal back then.

Two questions: 1) Would you reject a presidential candidate because he or she is Mormon? 2) Is this sort of religion test a positive development for our democracy?

Rugged individualist. Candidates for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Butch Otter gathered at Post Falls High School on Wednesday to debate health care.

Responding to a question on whether health care is a luxury or a right, Idaho State Controller Keith Johnson said it’s a luxury, adding that, “We have to provide for ourselves and not expect the government to provide for us.”

This is an interesting observation from a person whose health care is covered by taxpayers. Perhaps he should turn down this subsidy and purchase a policy on his own – just so he can see what the other luxury shoppers face.

CSI: Baghdad. Where in the world is Iraq? According to a survey conducted by the National Geographic Society, only 37 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 can locate this country that is in the news every single day.

That’s not to say that war coverage hasn’t made a dent in Iraq awareness. Even fewer of those surveyed – about 25 percent – could locate Israel or Iran on a map.

But before you give up on today’s young Americans, note this: 39 percent could correctly identify the city where the original “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” TV show took place. It’s Las Vegas.

I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know that.