Party Politics vs. Party Principles …

                       Party Politics vs. Party Principles
               By Rex Rammell (sent to all the newspapers Oct. 12, 2007)

         Let the games begin. The 2008 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate between
Jim Risch and my self will answer the question, "Can party principles beat party
politics?" Jim, to no one's surprise, has laid his cards down early on party politics by
having Butch Otter, Mike Crapo, Kirk Sullivan, and others stand beside him. The
strategy is simple: get endorsements from the power holders, show up at every dog and
pony show held in Idaho, and never take a principled stand on anything that may be
controversial. Many elections have been won this way.
         The other approach, which I will take, is take a principled stand on hard issues
that are in line with the party platform, convincing the voters that if elected they can
actually count on me to stand for something.
         Jim has been playing party politics for years, patiently waiting for an opportunity
to call in some favors. Surely you remember how kind he was to Butch Otter not to
challenge him in the 2006 primary for Governor. It looks like it paid off; Butch owed
him, so he stood beside him. Don't think for a second Butch agrees with Jim's past
voting record. Butch has proven he is a conservative and Jim has proven he is a
moderate. Conservatives are principled people and as a rule will not break ranks to
endorse moderates. Notice Bill Sali wasn't standing beside Jim. And neither would
Larry Craig if his situation was different.
         Why did Mike Crapo stand beside him and Mike Simpson did not? Everyone
knows Simpson wants to be a Senator and Mike Crapo wouldn't risk offending one to
endorse the other, unless he owed Jim.
         Unfortunately for Simpson, who is a party politician his self, when you live by the
sword you die by the sword. If Simpson was a principled man he'd go after what he
really wants. But he is not, so he won't.
         The only thing Jim hasn't calculated in his rise to power is the power behind
principles. I think Idaho has had enough party politics. This time they'll go with
principle. I'm betting my reputation on it.

       Rex Rammell
       367 Talon Dr.
       Rexburg, Idaho 83440
       208-356-3690
       Candidate for U.S. Senate