2008 Woodie Awards
Risch's GOP 'coronation' press conference forgets one thing - the VOTERS
Richard Stallings
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Opinion
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This past week, Idaho Republicans attempted to flex their political muscle at a press conference in Boise. The good-old-boy club wants voters to think Lt. Gov. James Risch has been coronated, knighted or otherwise chosen to be Idaho's next U.S. Senator.
I have a problem with that. And, as a voter and an Idahoan, so should you.
There are at least two elections between now and the day when the people of Idaho get to choose who will replace Republican Larry Craig in the U.S. Senate. But I don't think they will pick Jim Risch, a founding member of the good-old-boys who think they run Idaho. I think Idahoans are looking now for new leaders and a new direction.
It's just about one year until the 2008 general election. Between now and then, Idaho Democrats will take every opportunity to remind voters of what the Republican establishment has done to damage our state. Here's a short list of their "accomplishments":
* They have made it clear that only certain kinds of Christians should be allowed to serve in office.
* They have voted against increasing the number of lower-income children who would receive health insurance.
* They have voted time and again with President Bush to "stay the course" in Iraq rather than consider forcing the Iraqis to stand up for themselves and bringing out troops home.
* They are trying to lock independent voters out of primary elections.
* They increased Idaho's sales tax by 20 percent, only to give most of the proceeds back to big corporate landholders and out-of-state homeowners.
* They have refused to hold their No. 1 senior senator, Larry Craig, accountable for making Idaho a national joke; and they continue supporting his decision to stay if office without fear of public reprimand or reprisal.
And yet, these same people -- from Gov. Butch Otter to Secretary of State Ben Ysursa - have the nerve to stand together this week and tell the people of Idaho "not to worry their little heads," that they have found a suitable replacement for their fallen soldier, Larry Craig; and they will "boldly march on into the future toward the shining city on the hill…"
I have a problem with that. And, as a voter and an Idahoan, so should you.
There are at least two elections between now and the day when the people of Idaho get to choose who will replace Republican Larry Craig in the U.S. Senate. But I don't think they will pick Jim Risch, a founding member of the good-old-boys who think they run Idaho. I think Idahoans are looking now for new leaders and a new direction.
It's just about one year until the 2008 general election. Between now and then, Idaho Democrats will take every opportunity to remind voters of what the Republican establishment has done to damage our state. Here's a short list of their "accomplishments":
* They have made it clear that only certain kinds of Christians should be allowed to serve in office.
* They have voted against increasing the number of lower-income children who would receive health insurance.
* They have voted time and again with President Bush to "stay the course" in Iraq rather than consider forcing the Iraqis to stand up for themselves and bringing out troops home.
* They are trying to lock independent voters out of primary elections.
* They increased Idaho's sales tax by 20 percent, only to give most of the proceeds back to big corporate landholders and out-of-state homeowners.
* They have refused to hold their No. 1 senior senator, Larry Craig, accountable for making Idaho a national joke; and they continue supporting his decision to stay if office without fear of public reprimand or reprisal.
And yet, these same people -- from Gov. Butch Otter to Secretary of State Ben Ysursa - have the nerve to stand together this week and tell the people of Idaho "not to worry their little heads," that they have found a suitable replacement for their fallen soldier, Larry Craig; and they will "boldly march on into the future toward the shining city on the hill…"
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