As far as one writer’s concerned, election’s already called

You shouldn’t tell Democrat Jerry Brady this, but Reason mag has anointed Clement Leroy Otter as Idaho’s new guv. In bright-red Idaho, of course, that’s not a bold prediction. But Reason, a political journal that advocates Libertarian causes, states Butch’s governorship as fact in its November edition: “Butch Otter Rides Again: Idaho’s next governor demonstrates the possibilities – and limits – of libertarian politics in the Republican Party.” Before his Patriot Act stand, Butch was best-known for wearing tight jeans, fighting the Corps of Engineers, and uttering the famous line about a bill he opposed as a legislator: “Not only no, but hell no.” Writer David Weigel of Reason tries valiantly in seven pages to figure out Otter and Idaho. Of Idaho, he writes: “To pundits on both coasts, the 43rd state is remote and alien, the least-comprehensible state in the Rockies. Utah has its Mormon culture, Montana has its range life, and Wyoming has its mountains and national parks. Idaho has nothing so distinguishing. It has potatoes and salmon … but who can say what else?” Of Otter, he says: “In his heart, Butch Otter is a libertarian, a man who thinks the government should stay out of people’s checkbooks, bedrooms and library records. In his head, he knows how limited the appeal of libertarianism is to Idaho voters. What’s the difference between a libertarian governor and a governor who holds libertarian values? During the next four years, Idaho and the nation are going to find out.” Does that mean we can call off the Nov. 7 gubernatorial election?