Wow.

Whoa.

Kinda creepy in that weird sorta way.

Like that time that one weird Uncle revealed that really icky secret after he had too many wine coolers at the family reunion.

Right after he said it, there was a whole bunch of strained silence and then some other Uncle bursts out with a, “WELL NOW…How ’bout them Broncos?!?”

Reminds me of the time an employee at my office went on vacation. She and her husband were in the process of separation but she still had a picture of him, their daughter and herself on her desk. While this employee was gone another employee took the picture out of the frame, copied it, whited out the husband, and put the newly revised picture back in the frame in front of the original picture. The new black and white version showed just Mom and baby. It took a few days back at the job before she noticed. She was a good sport about it and all the rest of us fell on the floor laughing.

I did something similar with my paper cutter and all pictures of myself with people I no longer like. It is very liberating. Good for you, short timer Risch. Now go back to your old unimportant job and take lots of naps. Collect your check.

I stopped at the Commerce Dept. (“hall of mirrors”) a few weeks back and picked up a couple highway maps. I complained to the lady that they still had Dirk’s photo. She apologetically said they only get printed once a year. (So… will next year’s have Jimmy’s photo, or Butch’s?)

I’ll have to go with the Guardian’s “Dirk groupie” theory. Ask ANY woman in Idaho or any other state – Hollywood Dirk is the dreamiest governor ever!!!

So, Sisyphus, you think he will run against Otter in the next go ’round, or later down the road? He definitely hasn’t been sitting around eating bonbons. I’m just speculating what he will do with all that political capital.

You’re right that he didn’t campaign directly for Lt. Gov., but was making the most a bully pulpit and attendant media attention doesn’t hurt. Didn’t know he had a DC aversion. I know I’d rather be in Idaho any day.

Look deeper into your crystal ball Sis, and tell me who will run in the 2nd district to replace Simpson. Perhaps one of the recently unemployed Ada county Republican legislators?

As for Craig, even if he does run, I can’t see Vasquez playing nice. I don’t think that story is over quite yet.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I’m grateful for all who participate in the discussion here, and for the Guardian for giving us a forum to do so.

I was told the clipping was the second choice for the Capitol Building tour guides. Risch wanted an entirely new batch printed for the six months he was in office, but the money and time wasn’t there to get the job done. He did, however, manage to send out a portrait of himself to all state agencies within days of his move to Governor with the request that Dirk’s photo be replaced with his on all offices walls ASAP.

It would be interesting to know how many thousands of those Idaho Corps of Discovery Passports with Dirk’s picture, were destroyed because Jimmy ordered new ones printed with his photo, even though the program expires in December. Talk about wise use of the taxpayers dollar!

Hi Idagreen, I think Risch just might run against Otter for the top job, depending on Otter’s performance. When Jim decided not to run this time he sat down with Otter, told him his decision and that the race was Otter’s to lose. I’m sure there was more than one occasion during the campaign Risch felt his prognostication was hitting too close to home and wished that he’d made a different choice.

But defeating an incumbent in a primary is a tough row to hoe and while Risch’s ambition may at times overpower his better judgment, everyone will agree the man ain’t stupid. You are definitely right that Risch got that political capital for a reason and I’m just as curious as you how he’ll spend it. I’ll be shocked if he takes it to Washington however.

As for District 2, hard to say. For the Ds Jim Hansen could build on the groundwork he’s laid. Also Clint Stennett is talked about but carries the baggage of where he’s from. The Rs in District 2 would probably look to legislative leaders again, like Bart Davis, Bob Geddes, or dragging Bruce Newcomb out of retirement. I doubt that an Ada County moderate would try for it but Debbie Field would have a good shot.

District 1 is far more interesting. I’d look for another primary battle there between the moderates and the wingnuts. My pick there is Brad Little. I’m very much looking forward to the primary between Vasquez and Craig for the same reasons you are. I’m thinking May 2008 might be more exciting than the general as it often is in this state.