Larry Grant redux, Risch nemesis returns, & "Free Tacos" Adamson to run for Congress... as a Democrat?

Unlike his last campaign, Grant already has at least one primary opponent, and may soon have two. Rand Lewis announced his candidacy last May, and Boise attorney/businessman Walt Minnick has had his people calling Idaho Dem movers 'n shakers to see if he should jump into the race.

I know some people here in the state aren't too thrilled with the idea of a 3-way Democratic primary, but any of our (potentially) three candidates would be so far above Silly Sali in talent, dedication and intelligence, it would have to be measured in parsecs. As long as it doesn't get nasty, it will only make the primary winner that much stronger of a candidate (and with the quality of character these three guy have, I strongly doubt anything approaching nasty would enter the picture).

As far as Idaho's 2nd CD goes, so far no Dem has made any announcements. Many folks believe last year's candidate Jim Hansen may take another shot at it, but so far he hasn't said anything about running. (Note to self: ask Jim about it sometime. And pick up more milk.) I've heard a rumor of a possible candidacy by someone in Bannock County, but since he doesn't appear to be rattling cages as of yet, I'll keep his name on the q-t. I will say he has political experience and a winning track record (so far), so there may be some potential there.

Whether Sali's new bestest buddy, 2nd CD Congressman Mike "Plastic-Surgery" Simpson, runs for his same seat again depends largely on whether Senator "Big Gay" Larry Craig stays in or drops out to start a dude ranch staffed with well-oiled young men. If Lare-Bear calls it quits, it's expected Simpson will run for his seat (so to speak). That would likely put him in a primary cage match against former temporary Governot and current Lt. Schmuckinor Jim "Short-Man's Syndrome" Risch, who hasn't been very subtle in his ambition to shove Senator Craig out the door and off a cliff.

But the best-laid plans of mice and Risch -- but I repeat myself -- aft gang aglay. The D-Con sprinkled on Risch's rancid cheese appeared this week in the form of Idaho hunting disgrace Rex Rammell.

Rammell, poster boy for Shooter Bull operations and unethical hunters, has grown to hate Jim Risch with the strength of a thousand white-hot suns. You may recall that Risch, in his temporary pretend-role last year as Idaho Governor, ordered Rammell's elk to be shot on sight after they escaped their pens, on fear of them breeding and contaminating the wild elk population.

Since Rammell really, really dislikes anyone to shoot his hand-raised ungulates (unless they're willing to fork over nearly $6,000 for the privilege), he raised a stink over it, tussled with some law-enforcement types overseeing the shooting, and got himself arrested.

He eventually won the case, and would now love nothing better than to go rata e rata against Jimmy-boy and make his campaign life a living hell. Rammell says he won't run if Craig stays in, so let's hope Larry the (alleged) Union Station Boy-Butt Bandito rides off, slappin' his chaps, into the sunset. And I wouldn't be surprised to find more far-right clowns waiting in the wings to jump into the race if Craig retires to live his own "Queer Eye for the Political Guy" episode.

If Congreasyman Simpson does run for the Senate, I've heard another blast from the recent-past is interested in becoming the 2nd CD's newest congresscritter. Dan "Taco Time" Adamson, who ran as a Republican against Butch "Viagra 'n Metamucil cocktails" Otter in last year's primary for Idaho Governor, is supposedly considering a campaign for Congress if Simpson jumps.

The weird part (and when talking about this guy, weird is certainly the operative term) is that Adamson may decide to run as a Democrat. Why, I know not, but that's what I've heard. Supposedly there was a write-up about this scenario in the Idaho Falls Post-Register, but I haven't been able to find anything on it yet through Google. However, it would explain why Adamson (who seems to have lots more money than sense) has kept his huge freeway billboards up, long after getting kicked to the curb in last year's primary.

Here's a prediction you can take to the bank -- the upcoming Campaign Season 2008 is sure to be an E-ticket ride. (Please keep your hands inside the vehicles at all times, and no spitting.)