Boise News

Column: Idaho Politics, U.S. Senate Race

Will Rex Rammell’s Run Ruin Risch?

By Jill Kuraitis, 6-18-08

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Rex Rammell

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig told the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that he and other Idaho Republicans are worried about eastern Idaho veterinarian Rex Rammell, who dropped out of the Republican primary to run as an independent for U.S. Senate.  Rammell’s opponents are Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, Democratic former congressman Larry LaRocco, independent candidate Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) and Libertarian Kent Marmon.

Some background: As reported in many New West articles, in 2006 up to 160 elk escaped from Rammell’s 200-acre “shooter bull” operation (i.e. where shooters pay $5,995 to shoot “any trophy bull") and started a cascade of controversy. Government officials, including then-Governor Jim Risch went all in on this deal, showing no interest in working things out as they had in the past with Rammell. Instead, they wanted all the escaped elk killed and (unofficially, of course) Rammell out of business. In return, Rammell promised to use his situation to start an anti-government revolt the likes of which Idaho hasn’t seen since Ruby Ridge. In response to what he sees as government oppression, Rammell threatened court action and eventually decided to run for Senate.

Some of New West’s coverage of Rammell:  Elk Missing from Eastern Idaho Hunting Reserve, Rex Rammell Could Be a Hero, Rammell Challenges Risch for Senate, and Please Do Not Sit on the Elk, Dr. Rammell.

Since Rammell’s independent bid started, he’s been spotted all over Idaho in a $100,000, 39-foot professionally painted campaign motor home, which he calls the Conservative Express. Most recently, it was parked outside the Idaho Republican convention in Sandpoint while Rammell attended the two-day event. 

Rammell has consistently held that Risch is not representative of real Republican values, and states on his website: “Don’t believe for one second that he is a stalwart conservative.  Risch is a stalwart politician that [sic] will say anything to get elected.”

While in Sandpoint, Rammell told reporter Conor Christofferson of the Bonner County Daily Bee, “I’ve done the math and I don’t see how Risch can win with me in the race,” Rammell said.

There are people who would disagree, especially after Rammell ran this commercial during the SuperBowl. (Warning: really gross.)

The Wall Street Journal pondered the question of Rammell drawing votes from Risch in an article published today, which begins,

The launch of Rex Rammell’s Senate bid didn’t go as planned. The mud pit and the monster trucks were an insurmountable distraction. The would-be supporters were too drunk to think about the election. He quickly gave up hope of even delivering a speech.
Before long, the candidate—a Mormon veterinarian who hopes to succeed incumbent Larry Craig, arrested in an airport men’s room as part of a sex-sting operation—gave up on winning votes at the Moyie Mud Bog, a semiannual event that draws motor heads eager to drive through a field of man-made mud. He soon returned to his 39-foot RV for a nap.

Significantly, the Journal article also has this:

“As an independent, it’s yet to be determined if he can gain traction,” Sen. Craig said of Dr. Rammell, who he thinks may become a spoiler for Mr. Risch. “A lot of Republicans are worried about that, as am I.”

The Journal article also pointed out that former congressman Larry LaRocco, Risch’s Democratic opponent, and Rammell have agreed to debate in every major Idaho city this fall.  Risch has so far refused to debate except under tightly controlled circumstances at Boise’s NBC affiliate KTVB, declining debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters with the Idaho Press Club and Idaho Public Television. 

“If Risch debates, both Larry LaRocco and Rammell are going to beat him up over sales taxes, which Risch raised but claims he hasn’t,” said Dean Ferguson, LaRocco’s communications director. “He wants to ignore both of them and hope they go away.”

Rammell made himself notorious in 2007 when he stubbornly sat on a dead elk to prevent officials from taking it for testing, and a jury acquitted him on charges of obstructing justice. Around the same time, his daughter was crowned Miss Idaho USA but refused to be photographed with Gov. Risch, saying, “I respect the office but not the man. I think he’s a weasel.”

Will independent voters admire or disdain Rammell’s reputation and the Risch-prevention spirit of his campaign?

From Rammell’s website:

Public land policy is just the beginning where Risch diverges from the conservative platform.  He has on numerous occasions voted for an increase in taxes to support more government, yet continues to claim he is a conservative.  In a recent contribution solicitation letter he claimed, “As a stalwart conservative, my dedication to each and every core principle of the Republican Party has never been questioned.” Bull!  I know for a fact he has been challenged on many issues.  He lost elections twice in the 90’s because his record on tax increases was exposed. And do I have to remind everyone that anyone who truly believes in private property rights wouldn’t sign an executive order to take a man’s property without having proof that it was absolutely necessary? [A reference to his personal beef with Risch – editor ] Don’t believe for one second that he is a stalwart conservative.  Risch is a stalwart politician that [sic] will say anything to get elected. 

Wild variations and inconsistencies characterize Idaho independent voters.  Conservative independents tend to be fiscally frugal, anti-tax and anti-status quo citizens who are suspicious of all government, especially federal. They may be loggers, miners, ranchers and farmers who grew up in Idaho and don’t want to see things change. They may have an environmental streak because of their connection to the land, yet they oppose plans that would hurt jobs or regulate their businesses.

Their mistrustful nature plays into Rammell’s hands, especially as he has emphasized Risch’s long public service and good-old-boy status in the old-guard Republican machine, and Risch is looking to move from state government to Congress.

However, independents are at odds with Rammell’s strong support for closed primaries, an issue which dominated the recent state GOP convention.  With that, they line up with LaRocco, who supports open primaries and more government transparency, also dear to the hearts of independents.

In this unusual election year, independent voters could have more impact than ever.  Ron Paul supporters, who are essentially independents, recently created a stir at the state Republican convention and proved they are a presence in Idaho.  Considering their libertarian streak, they could give Risch some trouble.  The changing political landscape of the West means that some independents support Barack Obama for President, another wild card.

A wild card year for a wild card candidate.

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