Here’s the early leader for blog comment of the year — on one of my posts about embattled State Tax Commission chief Royce Chigbrow. “The stench of Idaho politics is making the Chicago machine look clean.” Now, I’m a dream-big and aim-high sort of guy, but let’s not flatter ourselves. Commission staffers have accused Chigbrow of some sleazy behavior — intervening on behalf of his son’s clients, harassing the company that had fired one of his friends and political allies. When it comes to corruption on a virtuoso scale, Chicago we ain’t. In the land of Ditka and deep-dish pizza, the mere suggestion constitutes fighting words/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Does anyone out there truly think that Idaho politics are as corrupt as Chicago? Do dominant Idaho Republicans do a good job keeping tab on their wayward colleagues?