[Vision2020] A Rather Interesting Article

[Tom Hansen]

A brief commentary before the article . . .

>From the article:

"Hal Styles Jr. has never been to Idaho, but he'd like to be the state's 
next U.S. senator.

 . .

Styles said he's planning to move to Idaho, probably in about six weeks, 
though he's long been a resident of Southern California, where he's a real 
estate broker, flight instructor and retired securities broker."

What makes me think that Mr. Styles is going to find it nearly impossible 
for him to be elected as Idaho's next U.S. senator?

Could you imagine Mr. Styles on the campaign trail up north in, say . . . 
Naples or Bonners Ferry, walking into a local tavern on a Friday or 
saturday evening, and introducing himself . . .

"Hi.  I'm Hal Styles.  I am a real estate broker from southern california 
and I want to be your next U.S. senator."

I'm guessing that Mr. Styles will get as far as "I am a real estate broker 
from southern Cali" before some fifth-generation Idaho logger get up from 
the bar and introduces Mr. Styles to some Idaho real estate in a fashion 
that 19 years ago convinced me to remove the California license plates 
from my Jeep Wrangler.

That said . . .

>From today's (March 22, 2008) Spokesman Review -

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Senate seat attracts 13 candidates 
List includes Risch, LaRocco and a true outsider

Betsy Z. Russell 
Staff writer

Hal Styles Jr. has never been to Idaho, but he'd like to be the state's 
next U.S. senator.

Styles noted that current Idaho Sen. Larry Craig is leaving office, "as 
well he should," and said, "Idaho being one of the 10 best places to live 
and heavily Republican, which is what I am, I thought, well, this 
particular man can no longer serve the constituents well, and I can. So I 
threw my hat in the ring."

Styles was one of 13 candidates to file for the post by Friday's 5 p.m. 
deadline, including eight Republicans. Among the hopefuls: Idaho Lt. Gov. 
Jim Risch, a Republican; former U.S. Rep. Larry LaRocco, a Democrat; Coeur 
d'Alene businessman Richard Phenneger, a Republican; and Pro-Life, an 
independent who legally changed his name from Marvin Richardson. 

 
Styles said he's planning to move to Idaho, probably in about six weeks, 
though he's long been a resident of Southern California, where he's a real 
estate broker, flight instructor and retired securities broker. By law, 
Senate candidates are required only to reside in the state on the date of 
the November election.

Asked if he's been to Idaho, Styles said, "In a word, no. However, I have 
read enormous quantities about it, and so I know that it is a beautiful 
state with more high mountains (and) … beautiful people. It's heavily 
Republican, and it's my kind of state."

Styles, who's been an unsuccessful GOP candidate for Congress and for the 
California State Board of Equalization, said he first thought of moving to 
the Gem State about a year ago when he read that it was ranked among the 
10 best places to live. He now lives in Desert Hot Springs, near Palm 
Springs.

The woes of Idaho's senior senator – Craig said in September he'd resign 
after news surfaced that he'd pleaded guilty in an airport restroom sex 
sting, but then changed his mind and decided to serve out his term before 
retiring – clinched the decision for Styles.

He said he stands for lower taxes, less government, strong 
defense, "traditional American virtues of family," patriotism and Ronald 
Reagan-style Republicanism. "You put all those together with the love that 
I have for the gorgeous state of Idaho which I've read about for years and 
years and years, and I will make, without a doubt, the most outstanding 
senator that Idaho has ever had or will have," Styles declared.

Other candidates in the race:

Republicans: Risch; Phenneger; Fred M. Adams, of Idaho Falls; William E. 
Hunter III, of Rexburg; Iraq veteran Scott A. Syme, of Wilder; Brian E. 
Hefner, of Sweet; and Neal Thompson, of McCall.

Democrats: LaRocco, the former two-term 1st District congressman; and 
David J. Archuleta, of Fort Hall.

Libertarian: Kent A. Marmon, of Caldwell.

Independents: Pro-Life, formerly known as Marvin Richardson, an organic 
strawberry farmer from near Emmett; and Rex Rammell, a former elk rancher 
from Rexburg.

--------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho


"People who ridicule others while hiding behind anonymous monikers in chat-
room forums are neither brave nor clever." 

- Latah County Sheriff Wayne Rausch (August 21,
2007)

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