Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Trump campaign alive and well - in Idaho

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is making history, but not in the way he wants.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Senators say the West deserves more fire respect

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon doesn’t mince words when it comes to wildfire management, and who should pay the bill.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Risch on civil discourse: Not in this society

Picture this. The Boise City Club wanted somebody to talk about the subject of civility in politics. So who did the club ask to be the speaker at its recent luncheon?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Labrador 'conversations' play to his strengths

Congressman Raul Labrador has come up with a creative way of campaigning for re-election — without making stump speeches. He had a better idea this time, scheduling 20 “Conversations with the Congressman” events throughout the district during the congressional recess.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Presidential politics play bigger in Nevada than Idaho

As an Idahoan who has lived most of my 66 years here, I can offer plenty of testimony on what there is to love about the Gem State. But it’s a pretty depressing place during presidential election years.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

More gun laws aren't the answer

There are two things that you cannot win in Idaho: An argument with someone who is drunk in a bar, and a debate over guns — especially if you’re on the side of imposing more gun control laws.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Brad Little ready to take his turn

As Lt. Gov. Brad Little approaches an age when people start thinking about slowing it down with their professional careers, he’s looking to accelerate his – as a candidate for governor in 2018.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Despite divisions, GOP in Idaho restores order

Dave Johnston, the executive director of Idaho’s Republican Party, is only 27 years old, but he’s quickly mastering the art of herding cats. Those skills are handy in his line of work, where peace and harmony do not always prevail.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Idaho Democrats have rising star in Erpelding

Remember this name: Rep. Mat Erpelding of Boise.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Conservatives might not get a better deal with Trump

Congressman Raul Labrador says he could get behind efforts to knock out Donald Trump at the Republican convention, but only if different kingmakers were leading the charge.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

GOP establishment is out of touch, not Trump

Given the voter sentiment about politics-as-usual on both sides, Donald Trump probably would do just as well for himself by telling “establishment” Republicans to jump in the lake.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Want to improve primaries? Kill 'em

Idaho Secretary of State Lawrence Denney, who as House Speaker was instrumental in bringing the closed-primary system that discourages large numbers from voting, is now working with colleagues from other states to promote higher voter turnouts in primary elections.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

If Hillary wins, blame bumbling GOP

With all the drama in the Republican Party during this presidential election, it’s easy for Idahoans to forget about the elephant in the room.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Keough's clout critical for voice of North Idaho

Sen. Shawn Keough of Sandpoint may be in one of the most dynamic and powerful positions in the Idaho Legislature, but there’s not much glory in how she begins each day as co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Idaho's Sen. Risch: Don't write off Rubio

Just as I was ready to go “all in” for Sen. Marco Rubio … along came his awful debate performance in New Hampshire in which Rubio allowed himself to be Chris Christie’s punching bag.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Motherhood, apple pie and good jobs for all

Megan Ronk is a mother who wants her two young sons, ages 5 and 2, to explore the world, as she has done.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

PAC battle just shows fight for GOP control

When I heard recently about Gov. Butch Otter forming a political action committee, the first question that came to mind was … why?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO

When Obama speaks, gun sales skyrocket

Given his position as a longtime board member with the National Rifle Association, former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig would do well by endorsing Hillary Clinton for the presidency.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO

Fewer editorials appearing in some Idaho newspapers

Marty Trillhaase of the Lewiston Tribune is part of a dying breed in Idaho — an opinion page editor who produces hard-hitting copy almost daily — and several times on Friday with the “Cheers and Jeers” commentary.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Partisanship doesn't always rule in nation's capital

Sens. Mike Crapo, an Idaho Republican, and Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, are as different as night and day on political perspectives.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Idaho might soon be cooking with gas

Granny, Jethro, Elly May. We struck oil and we's movin' to Hollywood. Eeeee-haw!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Idaho's top education job sure isn't for amateurs

Tom Luna was elected as Idaho's superintendent of public instruction partly because of his ideas for reforming education. He was re-elected four years later, partly for his accomplishments.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

The Medicaid debate: Is health insurance a right?

Thank goodness for health insurance.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

This nice guy deserves to finish first

Ben Ysursa had big plans when he retired this year as secretary of state - including traveling with his wife, Penny, spending time with his grandchildren and playing golf with friends at Plantation Country Club. Not long ago, he bought a townhouse near the course and a golf cart.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

The inspiring story of an Idaho school district

The New Plymouth School District has all the reasons for having low reading scores, with a high poverty rate and limited resources.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Dems have issues with Crapo, but no candidate

While most politicians will do almost anything to attract media coverage, Sen. Mike Crapo is going in the opposite direction in the early stages of his re-election campaign.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

GOP budget resolution fine print

The Republican Party's battle cry in next year's congressional elections could be this: "At least we did something."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

If Rand Paul wins, so does Labrador

Congressman Raul Labrador, the only member of Idaho's congressional delegation to endorse someone in the GOP presidential race, may have learned something about himself when sitting on the sidelines four years ago as candidates were posturing for the 2012 election.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

With Keough, the North could rise again

North Idaho, the state's forgotten stepchild, is on the cusp of getting a slice of political power in the state. Finally!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

'Party of inclusion' sure didn't help Idaho Dems

Richard Stallings had everything going for him during his four terms as Idaho's 2nd District congressman.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Digging graves with knives and forks

Food has become the new cigarettes of our time, and sooner or later politicos are going to have to figure out what to do about it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

TV talk shows boosts Risch profile

Idaho Sen. Jim Risch has been called a lot of unflattering things over the years, so he is not troubled by suggestions that he and 46 other Republican senators are "traitors" for sending a letter to the Iranian government concerning negotiations with the White House. Nor is he bothered by …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Attitudes, age and Lt. Gov. Little

Sixty is the new 40.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Idaho primary elections: Go on, get rid of 'em

I love playing golf, but I hate hitting irons.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Thankful for ability to defeat silent killer

Ten years ago this month, a cardiologist told me I was a prime candidate for dropping dead at any moment because my heart was clogging up, as if Elmer's glue was flowing through my veins. I checked into the hospital the next day, and doctors were cracking open my chest …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

What it takes to fill key office

I like Lawerence Denney.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Popkey could be big help to Labrador

"WHAT? Dan Popkey is going to work for Raul Labrador?"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Sales tax exemptions a dilemma for Idaho

The popular notion is that public schools, which receive more than $1.3 billion, is the largest item in the state's budget.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO