Kootenai Dems Told To Take Stand

Liberals. Tree-huggers. Californians. Democrats in North Idaho are often outnumbered and called many things by Republicans, but there’s a new label they’re seeking in 2012: winners. Optimism ran high as 165 people packed the Coeur d’Alene Casino conference room Saturday evening for the Kootenai County Democrats’ 10th annual Democracy Dinner. Wisconsin State Sen. Jon Erpenbach had plenty to say about his state’s battles over collective bargaining, but also showed he had done some reading before his first visit to Idaho. “Who’s Phil Hart?” Erpenbach joked as the room roared with laughter. And after pledging to do whatever he could to help the candidate running against the Athol state representative, Erpenbach laughed himself as Legislative District 2 candidate Dan English walked up to the podium with a business card and a campaign wooden nickel stating, “Had your fill? Vote for Dan”/ Joel Donofrio , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

Question: Do Kootenai County Democrats have a reason to be optimistic this year?