Chris: Thank You, Sen. Fulcher

Majority Caucus chair, State Senator Russell Fulcher, is doing a favor for the voting public as well as the media by challenging incumbent Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter in a contest for the Republican nomination. He could also be doing Otter a favor. For 104,000 Idahoans who would be eligible for an expanded Medicaid program, however, Fulcher is ensuring their needs will not be met. Real suffering even unnecessary deaths, will occur. By challenging his party’s sitting governor what looked like a dull run-up to a third almost uncontested term suddenly has created the magic “buzz” candidates and their campaigns like to generate, but few do. The Meridian senator has already generated extensive coverage by a media desperate for the good copy a hotly contested race between Tea Party conservatives and status quo regular Republicans will provide. The media loves intra-party fights/ Chris Carlson , Carlson Chronicle. More here.

Question: Chris Carlson raises a great point: Without the challenge to the incumbent from the Tea Party right, Idaho’s 2014 gubernatorial race would have been a snoozer. Mebbe we should thank Fulcher … while voting for someone else. Right?