[Vision2020] VanderSloot: Idaho's shadow shogun

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (January 4, 2015) Lewiston Tribune.

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VanderSloot: Idaho's shadow shogun
Chris Carlson
Throughout much of Japanese history, the Emperor has been a figurehead, the titular head of the nation, but considered semi-divine and thus above politics.
True power resided with a figure behind the scenes, a figure who wielded the real power through personal influence and patronage as well as being the chief administrative officer in the government. Often this figure stayed completely in the background, working in the shadows. In today's political jargon, one often will hear the phrase "he leaves no fingerprints," but one knows the shadow shogun has instigated an action.
The most powerful and influential figure in Idaho politics today is not Sen. Mike Crapo. Neither is it Rep. Mike Simpson, Rep. Raul Labrador, Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter, Lt. Gov. Brad Little, House Speaker Scott Bedke, Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill nor Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis - though a good case could be made for each and every one of these folks.
The most powerful, politically influential figure on the Idaho landscape today holds no political office.
Rather, he wields his power through minions who do his bidding. Like the shadow shogun he is, he prefers to stay behind the scenes. He rightly expects loyalty and he gets it because he is loyal to those who are loyal to him.
There isn't a Republican in any office in Idaho who doesn't know who he is, and would think twice before crossing him.
He appears to even own judges, for most judges are keenly aware that he quite legally took out a judge who crossed him by putting up a candidate of his liking who defeated the wayward judge.
It is also well known among legal circles that Attorney General Lawrence Wasden pays close attention to the shadow shogun's views.
His net worth reportedly exceeds $1.5 billion, making him the richest person in Idaho. What differentiates him from other Idaho billionaires, such as the late J.R. Simplot, is that he is absolutely unafraid of using his wealth to get his way.
Thus, he contributes to candidates for many offices, not just the major ones. He spreads his wealth around, viewing it as a form of investing. Of course, like any good businessman, he expects a decent return on his investment.
He fully understands that money is the mother's milk of politics.
He knows, though, that politics is all about cultivating personal relationships, not just giving money. Thus, he entertains various political figures and by all accounts he can be as charming as he can be alarming - depending on what the situation requires.
This shadow shogun is, of course, Frank VanderSloot, the 66-year-old chairman and chief executive officer of the Melaleuca Corporation.
A graduate of both Ricks College at Rexburg (before it became Brigham Young University-Idaho) and of Brigham Young University of Provo, Utah, he is a member in good standing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (he gets the Temple Pass, needless to say).
It came as no surprise that fellow Mormon, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, named VanderSloot co-chairman of his fundraising for his 2012 presidential run. Nor was it a surprise that virtually every Republican statewide officeholder dutifully lined up behind Romney's candidacy.
VanderSloot displayed his fundraising prowess in Idaho by easily raising several million dollars for Romney, including more than $1 million from his own personal coffers.
Cross-reference Romney's Idaho contributions with a list of Republican officeholders, other prominent Republican contributors and the list of LDS ward and stake bishops and presidents - and it is easy to see that very few said no to VanderSloot's "request."
Some of Idaho's political cognoscenti were bemused when VanderSloot criticized fellow Mormon and wealthy Boise businessman A.J. Bulakoff, the Democratic candidate for governor, for trying to buy the Idaho governorship by spending more than $3 million of his own money on the race - a severe case of the pot calling the kettle black.
If Romney decides to make a third run (and there are persistent rumors he will), VanderSloot will again play a prominent role. He will also continue to dominate the Idaho Republican Party through the state national committeeman, his employee and vice president for government affairs, Damond Watkins.
He is incontestably the most powerful behind-the-scenes figure in Idaho politics since the late Lloyd Adams of Rexburg.
He is the true shadow shogun.
I doubt very much I'll be receiving a phone call because of any disagreement with this assessment.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
  
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