Idaho Statesman:
WASHINGTON -- President Bush has chosen Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to be Interior secretary, Republican officials said Thursday.
Bush is to make the announcement in the Oval Office later in the day.
Now, this, should be interesting...
Destined to shake things up here in Idaho this election season it looks like President Bush has added yet one more "yes man" to his cabinet. Not that I'd expect anything less, er, ah, more.
It's going to be a wild election cycle this year, and Idaho Democrats do have a good chance at winning some seats. With everyone's support (remember the whole "50 State Strategy" thing we like to talk about), including dKos we can send some Idaho Democrats to Washington, and make some headway in our own state legislature.
i.e. Larry Grant, here is his blog...
I'll add more to the diary as the information comes available.
Some Kempthorne background...
Again, The Idaho Statesman:
Kempthorne, a former U.S. senator, has served two terms as governor and has said he would not run again in the election this year. He’s spent the past year pushing for more state parks and revamping and expanding the road systems with money raised from bonds.
In the last legislative session, he vetoed several bills until his road bill was approved, essentially stopping the legislative process until he got his way. As leader of the National Governors Association, Kempthorne emphasized the challenge of providing long-term health care, citing his experience with his own parents.
Born in San Diego, he grew up in Spokane, Wash., graduated from the University of Idaho in 1975 and worked for FMC Corp. and the Idaho Homebuilders Association before being elected mayor of Boise in 1986. He served as mayor until 1993, going on to serve six years in the U.S. Senate, filling the seat vacated in 1992 by incumbent Steve Simms.
...
His political career has touched on several land and wildlife issues. Kempthorne has sued the Bush administration over its November 2000 decision to reintroduce grizzlies into the Bitterroot range, a proposal that was ultimately withdrawn in 2001 by U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
He was also part of a four-state salmon recovery effort, working with Indian tribes in the region as well as the Northwest Power Planning Council.
Kempthorne and Wolves:
Idaho submits plan to ease wolf protection
Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho - Idaho is floating a new proposal that it hopes could speed the removal of federal protection for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains.
The animals have been protected since 1975 under the Endangered Species Act after being hunted to near extinction.
In early August, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne gave officials with the U.S. Interior Department a plan calling for removing the wolves from protected status in parts of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Washington and Oregon.