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

[Donovan Arnold]

Mr. Hansen,

Are you at work when looking for, reading these articles, and typing this 
stuff all day?

Take Care,

Donovan J Arnold

>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] It's Time for Balance in Idaho's Government
>Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 07:30:28 -0700
>
> >From today's (April 12, 2005) Spokesman Review's Opinion section.
>
>Suddenly the skies over Idaho look a little bluer.
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>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.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>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)
>
>
>
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