Stapilus: Mitt No Longer Idaho Lock

Four years ago, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was all the rage among Idaho Republicans. It didn’t matter much, since by the time Idaho Republicans got to vote in the primary Romney had dropped out and John McCain had the nomination in hand. But Romney was the clear early favorite among Idaho Republicans, at the upper reaches of elective office and party structure, and well down below. This year, not so much – or rather, things are a lot more complicated. For one thing, Idaho Republicans’ presidential preferences – at the nomination stages – will matter a lot more in 2012, since the party has chosen to move (as the Democrats did a while back) to an earlier caucus, probably March 6. That means the party’s activists actually will play a meaningful role in the nomination process. And there are indicators to what that could mean/ Randy Stapilus , Ridenbaugh Press. More here.

• Perry wins Kootenai County Reagan Republican straw vote /Hucks Online

Question: Randy Stapilus goes on to mention the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans straw poll won by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Can Mitt Romney bank on Idaho being in his corner this year?