Boise News

candidates for Larry Craig's senate seat

In Idaho: Risch Announces for Senate; LaRocco Gives Campaign Update

By Jill Kuraitis, 10-09-07

Lt. Gov. Jim Risch announced Monday at Boise’s Capitol Park that he is runnning for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Larry Craig.

Risch’s Democratic opponent is Larry LaRocco, who until today has been the only declared candidate of either party.

Risch’s press conference was kicked off by Idaho Republican Party chair Kirk Sullivan, who named health care, education, transportation, energy and economic development as the issues on which Risch would focus.

Sullivan said the issue Risch would like to be remembered for is tax relief, and reorganizing the state department of Health and Welfare.

His campaign co-chair (along with former Gov. Phil Batt) is U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, who introduced Risch to a group of supporters, state officials and legislators.

Risch said all 28 state senate Republicans are “on board or very close to it. The foundation of having legislators work on your campaign when you have to go to every nook and cranny of Idaho is very valuable.”

Risch announced he’d take questions by saying, “And now let’s have your always-probing, and occasionally relevant, questions.”

Asked if he had expected to be appointed to the seat had Craig resigned, Risch said he didn’t know. “He [Otter] didn’t say or even hint that he would appoint me. I didn’t press Governor Otter on that decision.”

Of Craig, Risch said, “It’s really time for Idaho to move forward and focus on the future.”

“The number one job of the United States government is the protection of its people,” Risch said, before answering a few questions on foreign policy. He said he is amazed and upset by the Sunday morning news shows, where partisan politics about the Iraq war are featured. “This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it’s an American issue. We are all Americans.”

“The threat from Al-Queda and other terrorist groups is very serious, a very real threat.”

On Iran, Risch said: “Iran is a serious problem. But everything needs to be done on a diplomatic basis before we go further.”

Would he support Craig’s stance on immigration? He responded: “We have a guest worker program in place right now.  I would start with the old law and make changes to that.”

I asked Risch if he reads online news or blogs, and if he pays attention to the comments. With a big grin, he said, “NO, and NO!” which drew a laugh from the crowd. “But ain’t America great,” he said. “Even the Statesman edits letters to the editor, but on a blog you can say anything.”

“People give me printouts which I occasionally read,” he said.

Larry LaRocco held a campaign update press conference in the Grove following Risch’s event.

Asked the same question about online news and blogs, LaRocco said, “I read blogs. I’ve had five live blogging events and will have more. I think online has democratized the political process in many ways instead of turning it all over to the special interests. It’s represented by you who are here today – traditional, online, new media – you’re all here.”

Responding to a question on how the Craig ordeal has affected him, LaRocco said, “His situation has caused visibility to the state of Idaho…put us under the microscope.  Last week, I had to tell Wolf Blitzer of CNN how to pronounce my name.”

LaRocco noted that nationally, Democrats will have to defend 12 Senate seats, and Republicans 22.  With Gov. Butch Otter not able to appoint a successor to Craig since Craig’s un-resignation, LaRocco also said that having an open race helps him. “Incumbency would have been just slightly problematic.”

On policy, LaRocco said that President Bush should have “accepted the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group.  This war should be winding down, not escalating.” He also said veteran groups don’t support Craig when it comes to appropriations and services for veterans.

And on Craig’s vote against SCHIP, LaRocco said the Senator voted “against increasing the number of children who qualify for health insurance.”

LaRocco spoke of the contrasts between him and Risch.  “I’m a veteran – he’s never served.  I’ve worked in Congress and been re-elected to Congress, so I’ll have a measure of seniority. I’ve worked in Congress to pass laws.”

LaRocco said he’d like to be on the Energy, Armed Services, Intelligence and Banking Committees.  “I’m a former Army Intelligence guy, so it makes sense for me to go there.”

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