[Vision2020] It's Time for Balance in Idaho's Government

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (April 12, 2005) Spokesman Review's Opinion section.

Suddenly the skies over Idaho look a little bluer.

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It's time for balance in Idaho's government.

Idaho Dems' day could be coming 

April 12, 2005

Usually, you spell Democrat in Idaho political campaigns R-O-A-D-K-I-L-L.

Alan Blinken, the 2002 Democratic candidate for U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's
seat, is a perfect case in point.

As a former U.S. ambassador to Belgium, a Wall Street banker and a major
fund-raiser for presidential candidate Al Gore, Blinken was qualified to
represent Idaho in the U.S. Senate. During the campaign, he pounded on a
theme that should have resonated in Idaho - the need to attract
better-paying jobs - and spent $380,000 of his own money. When the final
count was in, however, Blinken had won only 33 percent of the vote.
 
Yet, gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brady, congressional candidate Betty
Richardson and Blinken served a greater purpose that year. They legitimized
the top of the Democratic ticket, inspired the base and helped the Democrats
almost double their representation in the Legislature. Importantly, the
Democratic ticket forced Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Congressman Butch Otter and
Craig to address issues rather than help other Republicans up and down the
ticket.

After an off year in 2004, Idaho Democrats can expect more of the same next
year as a result of this week's announcement by Brady, former owner of the
Idaho Falls Post Register, that he will run for governor again. In 2002, the
Democrat won Ada County and 42 percent of the vote after challenging
Kempthorne on jobs and his decision to cut education funding for the first
time in Idaho history.

"We've had pretty much lock-step leadership of one-party control," Brady
told the Associated Press prior to announcing his candidacy. "There's very
little balance. The state worked very well when it had a Democratic governor
and a Republican legislature, and I'd like to restore that."

The state also worked well under moderate governor Phil Batt, who won the
respect of Idaho's Indian tribes by dealing with them in good faith and who
forced reluctant legislators to extend worker's compensation coverage to
farm workers. Now, with the state's relationship with the tribes strained as
a result of overreaching legislation, Batt and other Republicans admit a few
more Democrats are needed in Boise to balance discussion and to check
Republican excess.

By starting 20 months early, Brady should be able to hold supermajority
Republicans accountable for refusing to address the field burning issue in
North Idaho, for failing to properly fund education at all levels, and for
continuing to conduct important public business behind closed doors. 

With a high-profile head on the Democratic ticket, such as Brady or possibly
state Sen. Clint Stinnett of Ketchum, new party Chairman Richard Stallings
should be able to recruit quality candidates to challenge for statewide and
legislative offices. Two years ago, Democrats took a major step backward by
not fielding good candidates to face either Otter or U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo.
In the process, they lost three legislative seats.

It's too early to advocate for any candidate. But it isn't too early to long
for balance and clear, credible choices on the ballot.

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Tell your children that you care on April 26th.

Vote YES on the school levy.

Take care, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

PS - I do not have any children.  I simply care about tomorrow.  It is that
simple.

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of
others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of
hope."

Robert F. Kennedy
(1925-1968, American Attorney General, Senator)