The Idaho Senate race is a smorgasbord of win. Does any other state have a senator retiring because he tried to fuck a guy in an airport shitter? Does any other state have a conservative in the race just because another guy in the race killed his elk? How about a candidate who changed his name to Pro Life? No, they don’t. Idaho wins.

Everyone knows about Larry Craig.

I think you’re awesome, Larry, and I will miss you. Obviously, a right wing state like Idaho can’t have a senator who likes to blow dudes in public bathrooms, so Larry is retiring. And now the Democrats actually have a chance to pick up this seat. Seriously. I know, it’s actually more surprising than a Senator blowing a dude in a bathroom, but it’s true. Democrats could actually win this.

The Dems are fielding former Congressman Larry LaRocco and the GOP is putting up Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch. This is not a great year to be a Republican candidate anywhere, so Risch automatically has that black mark by his name. In addition, his comfy relationship with radioactive toxic waste is not doing him any favors.

Right. Wouldn’t want that shit laying around in Kuwait, when it can find a nice home in Idaho.

Even though Idaho is a big time red state, odds are they aren’t big on importing radioactive waste from the Middle East. The Iraq war will also hurt Risch, and he has been very quiet on the issue. Also, Idaho Republicans are more libertarian leaning than other states, which means they are not happy with the GOP’s stances on civil liberties. LaRocco has been pushing the civil liberties issue, big time.

Risch is currently ducking debates, which will not go over well in a Senate race, especially with what is at stake. Strangely, he has also been walking around DC with Larry Craig, getting to know everyone. Note to Risch: Don’t spend time with the guy who is retiring because he wanted to blow a dude in a bathroom. Meanwhile, LaRocco has a strong grassroots campaign going, Democrats have a lot more money to spend and Obama will probably have coattails, unlike McCain. And finally, during the primary, 35% of Republican voters punched their ballot for fringe candidates, instead of Risch, the former governor and current lieutenant governor.

Those are the issues and the stats. Now we get to the best part of the race. The right wing independent candidates are fucking fantastic. Let’s start with my main man, Pro-Life.

In 2006, organic strawberry farmer Marvin “Pro-Life” Richardson ran for governor, but the state wouldn’t let him list his middle name on the ballot, because they don’t allow slogans. Marvin is no idiot, so he officially changed his name to Pro-Life. And holy shit, is he pro life.

Good luck with that. Pro-life activists are actually concerned that voters will become confused and vote for Pro-Life, not knowing it’s a dude. In 2006, he received fewer than 2% of the vote, but with his new name he is hoping for 5%, mostly via confusion.

Well, then it won’t be worth it, Pro. Can I call you “Pro?” Or "Mr. Life?" Or insane lunatic? Whatever, I love you. Deeply.

My favorite candidate is Rex Rammell.

I love a guy who runs for Senate out of spite. Rammell is simply running to stop Risch from winning, because Rex hates Jimmy. The feud between the two started back in 2002, when some of Rammell’s elk escaped from his ranch. Risch was acting governor and he ordered state wildlife officials to kill them. 89 elk and 20 calves were killed. Risch had his reasons.

Rammell, a veterinarian, did not agree with the states new elk laws, which had been changed in 2001. He didn’t understand why elk ranches needed a license, but sheep, cow and horse ranches did not. The stand off ended in the death of many of his herd and an undying hatred for Risch was born. He vowed to make sure Risch was never elected to office again. And he's a pretty serious dude. At one point, Rammell took part in a sit in - on top of a dead elk.

Rammell was acquitted of the obstruction of justice charge. He successfully argued the dead elk was his property and he could do what he wanted with it. Take a moment here, close your eyes and picture Rex laying on top of a dead elk. Now picture him running for office. Nice, isn't it?

The feud even trickled down to the Miss Idaho USA contest in 2006. Rex’s daughter, Amanda, won the pageant, but refused to be photographed with Risch, who was the governor.

Holy shit, I just linked to Pageant Cast News.

Word. So, whom do you think the Libertarian leaning Idaho Republicans will vote for? Hint: Ron Paul won 20% of the vote during the primary. But that’s not all. Rammell is also a Mormon. They typically vote for the GOP candidate, but with an independent Mormon running, they might switch.

Due to all of these factors, Idaho could actually be a pick up for Dems. This is the reason Republicans desperately wanted Larry Craig to retire last year. It’s turned into a bit of a perfect storm situation. If the Dems do win Idaho – they’d be looking at a 60-vote majority.