Incumbents running scared

If you thought that “inside the Washington Beltway” was the only place where politicians take care of each other, you might want to take a look at Boise.

In January, about 50 of the 85 Idaho Republican legislators attended a “Republican Incumbents Campaign School” to help get them re-elected, and protect the status quo. Many of them have multiple terms under their belts and presumably know a thing or two about re-elections. But they’re running scared because of their sell-out vote for Obamacare’s state health insurance exchange in Idaho, which constituents aren’t forgetting.

The seminar was given by former Sen. Skip Smyser and Gov. Butch Otter’s former chief of staff, both lobbyists for companies like Blue Cross of Idaho and big-time supporters of the exchange. Their message was that the lazy legislators syndrome of getting fat campaign contributions from lobbyists wasn’t such a good idea this year, and paying more attention to the folks back home might be a better game plan.

Imagine that. Our legislators actually had to be reminded to forgo big donations and concentrate on $50 donations from the little old lady on the street.

Something to remember when our multiple-term North Idaho legislators ask for your vote again.

Linda Browning

Sandpoint