OK, this is just weird. Gov. Butch Otter today released a list as long as my arm of names of people “who so far have expressed an interest in being appointed to the U.S. Senate if a vacancy occurs with the resignation of Senator Larry Craig.” He said it didn’t include anyone who told him not to release their name; it didn’t include those suggested by others but who had not yet themselves told the governor they’re interested; and it didn’t include “the few individuals from outside Idaho who indicated they would be willing to move here if appointed.”

Here’s who it does include:

State Representative Scott Bedke of Oakley, Bob Cox of Boise, Steve Coyle of Star, Lawrence Gardner of Meridian, Ben Jepson of Nampa, State Senator Mike Jorgensen of Coeur d’Alene, Thomas Kim of Island Park, David Leroy of Boise, State Representative Russ Mathews of Idaho Falls, State Senator John McGee of Caldwell, Christopher Patterson of Coeur d’Alene, Blaine Price of Malad, Steven Ranstrom of Burley, Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, State Representative Ken Roberts of Donnelly, State Senator Gary Schroeder of Moscow, Larry T. Smith of Nampa, Sheila Sorensen of Boise, Tom Stevenson of Gooding, Robert Vasquez of Canyon County, Jim Waite of Idaho Falls, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Dane Watkins of Idaho Falls, Jay Wilde of Glenns Ferry.

That’s everyone the governor has named so far – including those he went to and asked if they’d be interested – along with a bunch more. Otter’s spokesman, Jon Hanian, said, “If they’re on this list he’s considering them.”