Capital Commentary
Idaho Democrats to Hold “Counter-Inaugural”
According to Julie Fanselow of Red State Rebels, Democrats will counter the official $550-a-plate inaugural dinner "to celebrate four more years of good times with the Idaho GOP in charge" with an event of their own. Her post also includes:
"If, however, you are a working stiff who knows which party is truly fighting for your interests, you might scrape together $25 to join us at Dems Under the Dome, set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Piazza di Vino, 212 N. 9th Street. We'll be honoring our 12 - count 'em - 12 Ada County Democratic legislators (including the five fabulous freshmen), toasting Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and having some fun before we start doing battle with LawERence Denney and the rest of them sumbitches in the legislature on Monday."
These are schizophrenic times for Idaho Democrats, whose meager statewide progress contrasts with national gains. Lacking a current local hero, they may need to turn toward D.C. to fill that void. How that plays in Idaho remains to be seen.
Mid-Term Elections
Tester Wins Montana, Capping Democratic Sweep
Updated at 11:10 am MST
Democrat Jon Tester has prevailed over three-term incumbent Conrad Burns in the Montana Senate race, handing control of the chamber to the Democrats and completing a Democratic takeover in a state that until recently was considered hard red. Tester won by a margin of 2,644 votes, enough to keep him about 400 votes away from a possible recount. For more details on the Montana races, click here.
Tester's victory was driven by a massive sweep of the relatively urban areas of Missoula, Butte, and Helena, which was enough to overcome continued Burns dominance in rural Montana. Tester, a farmer from a small town north of Great Falls and president of the Montana State Senate, generated tremendous enthusiasm among Democratic activists, who propelled him to a huge primary win and then to victory over scandal-tainted Burns - though not as comfortable a victory as many expected just a few weeks ago.
While the Rocky Mountain states followed the national Democratic tide to a great extent, the Dems did not register the kind of sweeping victories that they enjoyed in Eastern and Midwestern states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio. In Colorado, New West's Rick Martin called it an historic day for the state's Democrats: Bill Ritter won the gubernatorial race, giving the party control of both state houses and governor's mansion - and the inside track on the next Democratic convention. But in the House races the Republicans did better than they might have, with Doug Lamborn (R) easily defeating Jay Fawcett (D) in Colorado Springs and Marilyn Musgrave (R) prevailing over Angie Paccione (D). Ed Perlmutter (D) did defeat Rick O'Donnell (R) in a Denver-area district that had been considered in play but tipped Democratic in the late going. For more reports from Rick in Denver, click here.
In Wyoming, Republican incumbent Barbara Cubin appears to have squeaked out a victory over Democrat Gary Trauner. Cubin called the race a victory, but Trauner refused to concede, and is still sitting on the decision on whether or not to ask for a recount. Under Wyoming election law, the votes would be recounted if Cubin won by less than 913 votes. Democrat Dave Freudenthal, as expected, has held onto the governor's mansion and Republican Sen. Craig Thomas kept his Senate seat. For reports from Brodie in Wyoming, click here.
In New Mexico, Republican Heather Wilson appears to be holding onto her seat with over Democrat Patricia Madrid. Democrat Bill Richardson will remain Governor, as expected, and Democrat Jeff Bingaman will hold his Senate seat. For details from Emily in Albuquerque, click here.
In Idaho, where Democrats hoped for a breakthrough in the race between far-right Republican Bill Sali and moderate Democrat Larry Grant, Sali has prevailed with a 50% to 45% margin. Republican Butch Otter has stepped into the governor's mansion. Click here for more from Jill Kuraitis on the Idaho results.
On the initiative front, same-sex marriage bans won in Colorado, Idaho and South Dakota but look to be losing in Arizona. Also in South Dakota, the widely watched ban on almost all types of abortion went down to defeat. Minimum wage initiatives are won handily in Montana, Nevada, and Arizona, and not-so-handily in Colorado. Proposition 2, the eminent domain initiative, has lost in Idaho.
Idaho Gas Prices Rising, Rising
Who Knew Alaska’s North Slope Was So Steep?A friend up in North Pole, Alaska warned me some weeks ago of BP's imminent closure of the North Slope oil pipeline. He said to watch out at the pump, as this shutdown would cause pain for Idaho's drivers. Little did I know how immediate that pain would be. I'm certainly feeling the pinch. Are large bruises and broken bones to follow?
Roadside Espresso
Coffee Creations: Moscow’s Best BrewMoscow's best coffee can't be found in a coffee shop. Though the One World Cafe, Mocha Java, and even the local Starbuck's produce a good blend, the best of the best can only be purchased at a drive-through window. Welcome to Moscow's Coffee Creations, the best little shack for the caffeine attack.
Smaller Businesses Pushed Out of IACI by Larger Interests
Wool Growers, Grain Producers Drop Out of Idaho’s Most Powerful Lobby
This morning’s Idaho Statesman has a great story by Gregory Hahn saying that the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI) has raised its annual dues high enough that splinter groups are a likely outcome of the IACI annual meeting this weekend at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly.
Hahn reports that IACI members have been asked to spend at least $5,000 a year for a seat at the group’s policy table. For wool growers, grain producers, and other small and agricultural interest groups, that’s a lot of cash, and apparently they’re not feeling represented by IACI in the state legislature.
Pointed Musings
Strip Malls and Hair WhoresStrip malls, vacant retail space, strangely-named lingerie shops and putting volcanic ash in one's hair -- very expensive volcanic ash. It's all go here in Moscow, Idaho.
