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General election candidate endorsements

by David Keyes Staff Writer
| October 31, 2010 7:00 AM

The Daily Bee today continues its tradition of endorsing candidates.

The endorsements are written by me, the publisher of this paper, with input from the newsroom staff. The endorsements are placed on the Opinion page of this paper for a reason. They are our opinions, pure and simple.

The endorsements are based on interviews with each candidate, performances at forums, resumes, their track record and several other factors.

We take endorsements seriously but also realize that voters should do their own research. You will find profiles and more information about the candidates and issues at bonnercountydailybee.com.

We also don’t endorse only those we think will win, but in the past 11 elections our endorsements are more than 97 percent accurate in predicting a winner.

The opinions expressed on this page should not be confused with how our reporters cover these races or do their jobs. Endorsements are our opinions and that is the reason these endorsements run on the same page we run letters to the editor — our readers’ opinions.

Remember to vote Tuesday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information about where to vote or to see if you are registered, please call 265-1437. Bring your ID to the polls.

Candidates:

- U.S. Senate — Mike Crapo. Idaho’s senior senator has done a good job representing Idahoans and should be returned to office.

- U.S. House, First District — Walt Minnick. This Blue Dog Democrat has put his business sense and common sense to work. His conservative approach to the economy mixed with his ability to work with the opposition party will be needed next year in. Washington, D.C. Raul Labrador was seen as an opponent to funding North Idaho roads  in the state legislature. Minnick is the clear choice here.

- Governor — Butch Otter. Keith Allred has not made a convincing enough argument that he could better solve the crushing financial crises facing Idaho than Gov. Otter. No matter what happens Tuesday, the GOP will control state politics and Otter will be able to get a lot more done from the majority party than Democrat Allred.

- Lt. Governor — Brad Little. Qualified to be second in command and equally qualified to be governor.

- Secretary of State — Ben Ysursa.

- State Controller — Donna M. Jones.

- Supt. of Public Instruction — Tom Luna.

- County Commissioner, District 2 — Mike Nielsen. Mike has brought a high level of energy and organization into his campaign for commissioner. He will need both in the coming years. We also feel he is on the right side of pushing forward to build a juvenile detention facility here. While we like Brian Orr, a lot has changed in the county since he served as commissioner here for six years. This job needs a new approach and Nielsen has shown us he is the best man for the job.

- County Commissioner, District 3 — Lewie Rich. For Rich’s first year in office, the word on the street was that he wasn’t doing as poorly as some expected. Since then most have been pleasantly surprised that Rich seems to do his homework, puts in many hours on the job and has been a voice of reason on several occasions. Challenger Mel Davis has Rich on style points — she is a better public speaker, for example. The bottom line is that her intentions are great but her resume is thin. The county commission is a tough position for on-the-job training. We hope Davis stays engaged and puts some time in before the next time she runs for this office.

- Clerk — Marie Scott. The incumbent has done an admirable job in the numerous responsibilities that make up the many hats a clerk of the court must wear. It would take an outstanding person with many qualifications to do a better job than Scott has done.

Bud Mueller doesn’t have any qualities that would remotely make him qualified for this important job. Mueller runs on the hope that most of the electorate has forgotten how horrible he was as county commissioner. He has not shown an ability to work with people who might differ from him and, in fact, he seems to seek out confrontation — in stark contrast to Scott.

Mueller is a technophobe and has shown an inability to comprehend modern technology.

We are proud to live in a country when anybody can run for office. We are pleased there is such a clear-cut choice in this race.

Marie Scott has earned our highest possible endorsement not only because of what she does and has done in office, but also because we worry what Mueller would do if elected.

Amendments:

- Yes on Idaho Tuition and Fees Amendment (SJR101). This repeals an 1890 provision which prohibits tuition from being charged at the University of Idaho. The other Idaho universities charge tuition because they are not land grant colleges like UI. This levels the playing field.

- Idaho Hospital Debt Amendment (HJR4), Airport Facility Bond Amendment (HJR5), and Municipal Electricity (HJR 7) all would change the mechanisms allowed for financing capital improvements and in most cases would take these decisions out of the voters’ hands. We don’t know enough about these amendments to endorse so we recommend you read up on them at www.sos.idaho.gov/

Do you agree? Do you disagree? Participate in the online poll at bonnercountydailybee.com or post comments at the bottom of this editorial online at bonnercountydailybee.com.

• David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.