Independent and third-party presidential candidates have always had a strong attraction to this highly independent state.  And in 92, Perot almost beat out Clinton for second place here, receiving 27% to Clinton's 28%.

    Republican Senator Larry Craig is not friendly to ARP Issues.  He is adamantly opposed to campaign finance reform, and is a diehard tax-cutter and supply-sider.  There are three figures in Idaho politics who appear potentially to be sympathetic to ARP positions.

    The first is ""Cowboy Democrat" J. D. Williams," as the Almanac puts it, who has run races on the basis of an "America First" stance when it comes to trade, which is his main issue.

    The second figure is Tony Paquin, a Republican who challenged ultra-right Helen Chenoweth unsuccessfully in her 98 Republican primary.

    At one point, the figure who I believed represented the most realistic and promising option for ARP was the former speaker of the Idaho State House, Republican Mike Simpson.  When former Senator Kempthorne decided to run for governor in 98, the Second Congressional District incumbent, Mike Crapo, decided to go for the Senate, leaving the Second open. Mike Simpson joined the spirited Republican primary that followed in that district, and promptly found himself in a fierce battle with the Christian Coalition backed candidate.  Surprisingly, considering ultra-conservative Chenoweth's successes in this state, Simpson actually prevailed and went on to win a narrow 53%-45% victory over conservative Democrat, ex-Congressman Richard Stallings.  But his record since while in Congress shows no sign that he is prepared to depart from the dogma of the conservative GOP House leadership.

    I suggest therefor that we try to involve Paquin or Williams to run as our Senate candidate in 2002, either as a Republicrat with our backing (likely in the case of Williams) or, in the case of Paquin, possibly as a disgruntled ex-GOPer defecting completely to our banner.

    Republican Senator Mike Crapo is cut from the same cloth as his fellow GOP Senator from the potato state.  As with Craig, we should challenge here in 2004.  The same candidates listed above would again appear to be the most logical options.
 

    Republican Helen Chenoweth is on the wrong side of extremism, a pro-militia rabid anti-environmentalist.  In her last time up for election, she was challenged in her own party by Tony Paquin.  It would seem logical that, if Paquin decides to try again, the ARP should join up with him in '00.  And our job may be made simpler by the fact that Chenoweth, a term limits advocate, has declared her intention not to seek re-election in 2000.  In addition, according to the Cloakroom's Buzz, the Democrats are strongly considering giving most congressional races in this state a pass, leaving us a clearer field. By the way, in 98, rumors were rampant that Perot was going to target her, and run a strong Reform Party candidate.  Subsequently Reform Party candidate Chris Carlton emerged.  The word is he will be trying again in 2000.  ARP therefore has an important decision to make:  a) shall it allow Perot/Carlton a clear field here, on the off-chance that a Perot/Carlton victory for a House candidate will translate into an ARP-sympathetic incumbent, or b) should we try to get our challenger, such as Paquin, in here first before Perot/Carlton gets a toehold, or c) should we openly declare that we are either supporting, or opposing or mounting a challenge to, the Perot/Carlton candidacy?
 

    Republican Mike Simpson ran against the Christian Coalition candidate in 98.  He is known as a consensus-builder and excellent nuts-and-bolts legislator, not at all the type of fiery off-the-cliff right-winger that seems too often the hallmark of Idaho Republicans.  Moreover, he won his freshman race last year by a scant 53%, meaning he would probably welcome our help.  But his first chance to take a stand on as issue of importance to ARP did not go well, from our perspective; he voted against the bipartisan Blue Dog budget which received 26 votes this year from Republican Representatives.  So far, therefore, it must be said on the basis of very preliminary data that this Representative is following in the footsteps of his right-wing GOP leadership.  Therefore I believe our position should be to support Cowboy Democrat State Controller J. D. Williams, a militant fair-trader who probably shares our skepticism on issues like NAFTA and fast track.  Remember again that this Williams is not to be confused with the more conventional Idaho Democrat, Dan Williams, who is not only not a standard liberal Democrat but even supports the right-wing GOP supply-side large tax cuts philosophy with which ARP's fiscally responsible stance is totally at odds.