Nick Adams: MikeK Terrifies Repubs

Nick Adams: Both political parties have played in non-partisan races for years, but they’ve been content to remain behind the scenes. However, given that a number of urban communities have been electing more “progressive” candidates recently, it only stands to reason that the Republican party wants to take a more active role in an off year . If, by weighing in, the IRP can either defeat incumbents who are sympathetic to Democrats or elect those who favor Republicans, it removes potential opposition or gives them new voices of support during the 2010 election cycle. Kootenai County Republicans are terrified of Councilman Kennedy’s potential. Full comment below.

Question: If the Kootenai County Republican Party endorsed in the full elections in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, would you be more or less likely to vote for the GOP candidate?

As dangerous as this is, it shouldn’t surprise anyone. Both political parties have played in non-partisan races for years, but they’ve been content to remain behind the scenes. However, given that a number of urban communities have been electing more “progressive” candidates recently, it only stands to reason that the Republican party wants to take a more active role in an off year.

If, by weighing in, the IRP can either defeat incumbants who are sympathetic to Democrats or elect those who favor Republicans, it removes potential opposition or gives them new voices of support during the 2010 election cycle.

Kootenai County Republicans are terrified of Councilman Kennedy’s potential. They also may have painted a target on Mayor Bloem’s back (not that I’ve ever seen any indication that she aspires to partisan office). It also frosts Ada County Republicans that Boise’s Mayor (a known Democrat!) and several council members support crazy ideas like public transit, clean air, open space and fiscal responsibility. The same could be said for Pocatello’s Mayor and some councilors.

You’ve also got Wayne Hoffman’s “group” now openly pushing a partisan position on the whole tea party idea.

Neither is a coincidence. It’s all about concentrating power in an off year.

The saddest part is that the Idaho Democratic Party is completely incapable of responding in any meaningful fashion. They couldn’t even hold their numbers in the Legislature in ‘08. Their county commisioner candidates lost. Minnick won his seat in spite of the state party. And, some Dems are more critical of his positions than Republicans.

Unfortunately, good people like Kennedy, Bloem, etc will be on their own, whilst fighting the Republican party. And not because the issue are partisan in nature, but because the IRP sees an opportunity to remove anyone who doesn’t view the world through the same lens as Nonini, Ruthie Johnson, Sali, or Norm Semanko.