Political parties huddle on platforms

Handeen COEUR d’ALENE — They’re not waiting for the Fourth of July. Fireworks are expected when Idaho’s Democratic Party and Republican Party hold their respective state conventions today through Saturday. REPUBLICANS At Idaho State University’s Holt Arena in Pocatello, Republicans from across the Gem State will hear from keynote speaker Lt. Col. Oliver North, USMC (Ret.). The National Rifle Association’s incoming president will rally the troops on all things Second Amendment, said Idaho Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Parker. “There are controversial platform and rules change proposals, and plenty of resolutions to be considered for anybody into that,” said Bjorn Handeen, Idaho Republican Party Region 1 chairman. The Coeur d’Alene resident will serve on the redistricting committee, which is tasked with examining the legislative district reapportionment process, alongside former local Reps. Kathy Sims and Phil Hart. The most important proposals in this year’s rules committee have been sponsored by Bonneville County delegates, said Handeen. One would reinstate the “integrity in affiliation” rule, which mandated that candidates declare their support of the party platform, or at least state with what parts of it they disagree, Handeen explained. Another proposal would establish a grievance process for precinct committeemen who believe they’ve been wronged by their party leadership. Sixteen resolutions will go before the resolutions committee on topics as wide-ranging as guns in schools, Israel’s 70th anniversary, Medicaid expansion, and the confiscation of white South African farmers’ homes. DEMOCRATS At the College of Idaho’s Jewett Auditorium in Caldwell, the pop star-like celebrity status […]

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