Otter: States will save the nation

POST FALLS — Idaho Gov. Butch Otter was music to local Republicans’ ears on Monday night.

Not only did Otter help rally about 250 attending Panhandle Pachyderm Club’s “One Voice for Victory” dinner about the November election, he played the guitar and sang Glen Campbell’s “Gentle on My Mind” before saying a word at the podium.

Otter shared the music time with teenager Colby Acuff, but his message to attendees wasn’t so gentle.

The country can’t continue on its trail of budget misery, so that’s why change in leadership is critical in November, Otter said.

“I believe we are the last great hope (to turn the nation around),” he said during the event at Red Lion Templin’s Hotel attended by several Republican groups.

“No matter how many times our president apologizes for this great nation, we’re still the greatest nation in the world. We can remove all doubt about that this coming November.”

But Otter, who endorsed Mitt Romney for president, said he doesn’t believe the country will be saved in Washington, D.C., because it’s not in lawmakers’ collective best interest to do so.

He believes it will happen with the states.

“The only way we’re going to save this great republic is the same way it was created,” Otter said. “It was the states that created the federal government, not vice-versa. If we run our states on balanced budgets based on the Constitution, then we’ll win back the republic.

“And Idaho is one of the best places to start.”

Idaho has done its part with balanced budgets and to hold back on spending in recent years, Otter said.

The state’s budget when he started as governor six years ago was $3.2 billion and $180 million of that was put into savings.

The budget shrunk to nearly $2.3 billion last year.

“We’ve been wise to manage the state according to the Constitution,” Otter said.

Otter last month signed off on a $35 million tax cut for the Idaho’s corporations and high-income earners, making for what he believes is a more business-friendly environment to emerge from the recession.

The measure cut the top individual tax rate from 7.8 percent to 7.4 percent and the corporate rate from 7.6 percent to 7.4 percent.

Idaho’s improving economy is projected to generate a $105 million surplus in fiscal year 2013.

Ron Nilson, owner of Ground Force Manufacturing who served as the dinner’s master of ceremonies, said now is the time for Republicans to put down their differences and unify for November.

“Let’s don’t fight over the color of the carpet or the glass of wine at our table,” Nilson said. “We need to elect people who stand for our values and foundation. If we don’t stand united in November, God help each and every one of us.”