Tell me a little bit about Sen. Mike Crapo

[Daylin Byak]

I would like to know alittle bit about this guy,all I know about him that he ran unopposed last time he was up for re-election and he's real quiet on the Senate floor(unlike Larry Craig)

Thoughts?

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. Crapo's not cut from the same Idaho political cloth

Like you pointed out, he is quiet, and unlike quite a few other Idaho politicians (mostly R's), he's not part of the in-your-face, individual-rights-trump-all crowd that you normally find here. I've met the man, and he's like that IRL also; very polite and well mannered. He's very intelligent and thoughtful, and if you met him in real life, your first impression wouldn't be of a politician. A doctor, maybe.

All that being said, people in Idaho vote for him because of the R next to his name, and because he seems to go out of his way to avoid negative situations. Craig has a lot of detractors, but also a fiercely loyal constituency who knows that Craig is able to get them their share of the federal largesse. Crapo, on the other hand, doesn't have a lot of detractors, but also doesn't have that sort of cult following you find with pols like Craig. People have little more than a luke warm attitude towards him (that includes both Idaho Reps & Dems). A good, well funded Dem might have a chance against Crapo, but only in the right year.

As for Crapo's politics, he's your run-of-the-mill, middle of the road Republican. He generally votes the way leadership wants, without rocking the boat. Pro-life, pro-gun, pro death penalty, etc. etc. etc. He tends to be a little less corporate than other Republicans in the state (but I'm only basing that on the speeches and rhetoric I've personally experienced). I haven't checked out his voting record, so I don't know for sure. I definitely didn't vote for him (I abstained from voting in that race last time out), and won't vote for him next time.

I know one thing for sure, he's not a friend of Dems or liberals. Even though an intelligent man, Crapo's overarching religious beliefs won't allow him to ever open his mind or heart to embrace another point of view.

Just my observation and 2 cents.

[Hippo_Tron]

3. Nice analysis

[CabalPowered]

2. It should also be noted that he has cancer.

He hasn't been on the Hill as much this year. We lobby him and Craig often and Crapo's aides are always more helpful then Craig's.