... um, woman, of course ... but you don't belong on Boise City Council. Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey blows the whistle on how the Idaho GOP has shamelessly inserted partisan politics and religion into the usually nonpartisan city council races with its overt support for fundamentalist Christian candidate Brandi Swindell.
"The unprecedented move is risky," Popkey writes. "It could turn away independents and moderates. As Ada County grows, Democrats have taken seats in the Legislature from socially conservative Republicans by focusing on everyday issues like schools, transportation, quality of life and taxes.
"City elections are nonpartisan for a reason: land use, planning, parks and public safety call for common-sense problem solving, not ideology. That's why thoughtful Republicans are uncomfortable with the GOP role in Swindell's race."
Swindell is running against the incumbent council president Maryanne Jordan, who's proven herself to be a no-nonsense community leader and small business owner. If you'd like to be sure Jordan holds her seat on November 8, get in touch with her campaign manager and offer to help.
Mayor Dave Bieter is a perfect example of why we should know where a candidate stands politically before voting them in. I don't like Swindell, but I don't like the incumbent either. And frankly I don't know who deserves the position or who should be put in. But I see nothing wrong with inserting politics at the city and county level. It lets the people have a clear understanding of who's in office and who they're going to vote for.
Posted by: Shane | October 17, 2005 at 09:06 PM
Also,
"The GOP foray into non-partisan politics could make the telegenic Swindell — who's been arrested five times for civil disobedience —"
I thought liberals stood for civil disobedience, why is it made out to look like a bad think in Popkeys editorial?
The Idaho Statesmans writers aren't exactly objective.
Posted by: Shane | October 17, 2005 at 09:10 PM
Perhaps he was just pointing out her arrest record for public information. Personally I see Brandi going a long way in Idaho politics. With the pachyderm's supporting her in this one party state she could be heading to congress in a few years. Look what pretty boy Dirk did. Don't laugh. Idaho has a long history of sending buffoons and crackpots to congress. "Boot washing" Symms, Helen "canned salmon" Chenowitch,and "tight jeans" Otter, just to name a few. I only hope the voters of Boise see her for what she is, a member of the American Taliban and send her back to the church where she belongs.
Posted by: mtnbkrid | October 18, 2005 at 06:26 AM
Extreme? Yes.
American Taliban? No way...
And you know exactly why Popkey did that, he's trying to make her look bad. It's no surprise.
"I only hope the voters of Boise see her for what she is..."
Me too! So what's wrong with the GOP backing her and her running on a Republican Platform?
Posted by: Shane | October 18, 2005 at 03:04 PM
Shane wrote: "But I see nothing wrong with inserting politics at the city and county level. It lets the people have a clear understanding of who's in office and who they're going to vote for."
There's one reason that instanteously jumped in my mind when I read what you'd written. As written here in The Statesman (10/16/05): "Councilman Jerome Mapp and his challenger, Jim Tibbs, both independents, said they would reject partisan aid because injecting party politics into city business would compromise their job performance.
It's unfortunate that the mayoral race is partisan. Not everything needs to be partisan because it truly does compromise job performance and affects the needs of all residents & the community as far as infrastructure, etc.
What's the "perfect example" with Dave Bieter?
As for the 'American Taliban' - Yeahh, way!
Posted by: Kitt | October 22, 2005 at 09:26 AM