An article today on Politico.com says Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick has floated a new plan for financial regulation reform - an alternative to President Obama's proposal - that's drawing support from his fellow Blue Dog conservative Democrats and others in Congress. Minnick told Politico, "I'm trying to serve as a broker and a catalyst to the process, within the confines of the Financial Services Committee." The article notes Minnick's surprising credibility on the issue as an Idaho freshman, due in part to his degree in economics and Harvard MBA, and his career as a timber industry executive. You can read the full article here. A followup article on the Huffington Post, however, notes opposition to the "Minnick alternative," including from key Rep. Barney Frank.

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