Risch best for Idaho
Our View: Lieutenant governor has proven his effectiveness
As Larry Craig departs the U.S. Senate, five candidates seek the open seat. Two of them are seasoned and capable politicians, and at least two are not.
As alternative candidates go, Libertarian Kent Marmon at least reflects an established third party's familiar ideology: Keep government as small as possible. Meanwhile, independent Rex Rammell is a veterinarian and former elk rancher who's nursing a grudge against Lt. Gov. Jim Risch because Risch ordered that Rammell's escaped animals be shot to prevent their contaminating Idaho's wild elk. A second independent, once known as Marvin Richardson, is running as Pro-Life after a legal name change. Enough said.
The viable contestants in Idaho's U.S. Senate race are Republican Risch and Democrat Larry LaRocco, a former two-term congressman and aide to the late Sen. Frank Church.
It's been 14 years since LaRocco was in the House, but that experience is more relevant to the job than Risch's long tenure in state politics. Still, Risch's record as a legislative leader, lieutenant governor and, for seven months, as governor, demonstrate a command of the political process.
LaRocco's four years in Congress also give him credit on the seniority scale, an important advantage when it comes to committee appointments and rank.
As a Democrat, whose party controls both houses of Congress and could seize the White House, LaRocco believes he'll be better able to get things done for Idaho. But in the long run, it's questionable how favorable a commanding Democratic majority in Congress would be toward conservative Idaho's interests.
Actually, both LaRocco and Risch stress an ability to work across party lines in a pragmatic spirit. Indeed, Risch worked out an Idaho roadless rule that met federal approval and achieved the backing of state timber interests as well as many in the environmental community.
Following ex-Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's appointment as President Bush's secretary of Interior, Risch quickly set about revamping certain state agencies and led the charge for a state tax revision. He took criticism because his property tax reduction was coupled with a sales tax increase, but his plan shifted part of the burden to out-of-staters while effectively giving Idaho homeowners more discretion to manage their personal tax burden. (It's easier for most people to adjust their spending practices than to move out of their homes.)
Speaking of discretion, we are disappointed that both Risch and LaRocco tied their own hands with politically popular pledges. Risch vows never to vote for a tax increase. LaRocco says no reduction in Social Security benefits is acceptable. Those are honorable intentions, but if self-imposed taboos stand in the way of fiscal prudence, they become liabilities.
Difficult times will demand compromise and cooperation, especially as strong signs point to a Democratic White House and solid Democratic majorities in both House and Senate. The Senate's unique, filibuster-backed need for a 60-vote supermajority may be all that restrains a runaway majority. In the interest of discipline and deliberation, we think Idaho would be better off with Risch.
