Campaign ‘96

Presumption or prediction?

A few weeks ago, someone walked into the Kootenai County Commissioners’ office with a letter for “Commissioner-elect Ron Rankin” and asked if it was appropriate to leave it there. No word on what the response was, but you have to wonder about the timing. The election that will determine if the newest commissioner is Rankin, attorney Chuck Sheroke or a write-in candidate isn’t until November.

Propaganda, pulp and (tax) payments

St. Maries, meanwhile, is the clear leader in the contest to bring one-stop shopping to the typical North Idaho voter/timber owner/ taxpayer. A simple trip down main street reveals that Ferris Forestry Management, St. Maries Tax Service and “Republican Headquarters” are all housed in the same building. You can even play meet the candidate here. Another sign on the building reveals “Ferris for State Senate.”

My speech coach is, well, my daughter

Walt Minnick - U.S. Senate wannabe, independent Democrat, former Boise timber executive and dad - concedes incumbent Republican Larry Craig has all of the tools to whip Minnick in a political debate. But “I’ve raised teenagers,” Minnick said, when asked if he fears Craig’s verbal prowess. Of course, his daughter notes, “he doesn’t always win.” There’s a record to take to the mat when you challenge the incumbent to 10 debates.

It’s our script and we’ll not be spontaneous if we don’t want to

The GOP National Convention in San Diego last week was a chance for every Republican to get a little time in the spotlight. Rep. Helen Chenoweth also logged two firsts in her career: her first address to such a group, and the first time she’d used a teleprompter. “We were coached on it before we went up,” she said. “Our coaches were very precise about their instructions.” Told that the carefully scripted convention was being referred to by pundits as an “infomercial,” Chenoweth laughed but didn’t dispute it.

Scripted in San Diego, Part II

A photo of a convention attendee, wearing a Chenoweth T-shirt, made the Associated Press wire, no doubt a made-for-media event of its own. The only problem is that State Sen. John Sandy, the model of campaign wear, is from Hagerman, Idaho - far out of Chenoweth’s district.

Scripted in San Diego, the musical

Craig also had his melodious moments in the spotlight: He and his three fellow singing senators rendered a tribute to “Republican Women Elected Officials.” The quartet was dressed in red, white and blue vests, blue pants and white shirts, indicating that perhaps the Republicans think the second coming of George Washington actually will be in San Diego. Sorry, guys, even if George returns the ocean is a bit tougher to cross than the Delaware River.

San Diego, the final anecdote

Finally, former state Sen. Skip Smyser, a Parma, Idaho, delegate who was attending his third GOP convention, said the made-for-TV extravaganza in San Diego had a distinct advantage over past ones: no more marathon speeches. Instead, delegates were treated to a quick parade of Republican up-and-comers, in user-friendly short bites. “Nobody is good enough that you want to hear ‘em for an hour,” Smyser said. Will somebody please call the Democrats with this news before we’re treated to the self-congratulation endurance contest that party is planning in Chicago?

, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during the campaign season and is compiled by staff writer Ken Olsen from staff reports.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Ken Olsen from staff reports.