Eminentoes
Tyrannosaurus Rex
In Idaho, Rex Rammell is the liberals’ dream Republican candidate.
There have always been politicians and wannabe candidates who seem to have been sent by Providence to provide comic relief in humdrum political seasons. James Traficant comes to mind, as does Ralph Nader. Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson, Charlie Rangel, John Edwards, Mark Sanford, the list is almost endless. In Idaho, we have Rex Rammell, a Gem State gem.
Rex isn’t well known outside of Idaho, but within the state’s borders he enjoys a certain comic cult status. It’s fun to watch him. He hails from the eastern side (born in Tetonia, 1961), and for most of his life this devout Mormon and family man had prospered as a veterinarian (Dr. Rex) and elk rancher. Oh right, the elk ranch.
Rex owns a ranch where until 2007 he raised elk for “canned hunts.” He was doing well charging city slickers $6,000 a pop to shoot a trophy bull. These operations –while legal — are controversial and regulated because elk raised like livestock in an enclosed setting are more susceptible to disease, especially “Chronic Wasting Disease” (CWD), which can be spread to wild elk populations with devastating results. Rex was almost constantly at legal loggerheads with the State of Idaho over inspection practices, which in Idaho are lax at best. His elk didn’t sport the orange ear tags certifying them as disease-free. Rex considered this a governmental intrusion on his rights as an elk rancher. He did, however, tag his with brown ID’s, which would later make them easy to identify.
Anyway, one day in 2006 an enterprising elk on the ranch located a hole in the fence and tipped off 160 fellow wapiti, and the herd promptly escaped Rex’s ungulate gulag and headed east toward the western border of Yellowstone National Park, thereby alarming both state and federal wildlife officials.
Idaho’s then-governor, Jim Risch was furious, and ordered state fish and game personnel to shoot on sight as many of Rex’s wayward elk as possible. Many were shot; some 40 were captured and returned to the ranch; and a small number actually escaped into Yellowstone. The defiant legal contretemps continued. “America will soon know there’s a mountain man out here,” said Rex.
Well, all this radicalized Rex (even more?) and marked the birth of his ongoing quixotic political aspirations. In 2008, he ran as an Independent for retiring Larry Craig’s (him of the wide stance, and someone I neglected to include in my list above) Senate seat against Republican former Governor Jim Risch (who won) and Democratic former Congressman Larry LaRocco, and garnered 5.4% of the vote. This year he’s in the gubernatorial contest as a Republican, and faces incumbent Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in the May 25 GOP primary. Rex is again crisscrossing Idaho as he tries to hang ten on the edge of America’s current tsunami of raging populism. He’s slated to campaign in my town of Salmon on April 2, and he’s putting on a free spaghetti dinner. Eliminate Idaho’s income tax? Banish those pesky wolves? Free spaghetti? I wouldn’t miss it!
Rex is outdoing himself with his current gubernatorial run. At a townhall meeting in Twin Falls last August, the subject was Idaho’s then-upcoming first legal wolf hunt, and licensing or “tags.” A woman in the audience called out: “What about Obama tags?” Rex chuckled along with the crowd, and then added: “Obama tags? We’d buy some of those.” Some reporters were present and made note of the gaffe. It touched off the predictable liberal media storm (Rex even made the Huffington Post), as the editorial page and political reporters at the Idaho Statesman and New West’s Jill Kuraitis (the closest you come to a Helen Thomas in Boise) cynically attempted to tie right-radical-Rex to Idaho’s mainstream GOP establishment. The stern Statesman called Rammell’s faux pas “deplorable rabble-rousing.” Kuraitis was her usual hysterical self: ”What would Rammell’s mother say? Mine would have said: threatening a president is a felony, and you will never say anything like that again. Clear?” GOP pols got the media message. Senator Mike Crapo: “Rex Rammell’s comments were in poor taste and should not have been said.” Changing the subject, Rex responded to Crapo by chiding him for “giving away” two million acres “to environmentalists.” (the Owyhee Canyonlands wilderness legislation). Ex-Governor Phil Batt weighed in, calling Rammell’s comments “totally irresponsible, maybe criminal.” In response, Rex suggested that “Phil Batt should go to jail for allowing wolves to enter Idaho in the first place” (in 1995). For the record, Rex never apologized for the gaffe, but did issue a statement: “Anyone who understands the law knows I was joking, because Idaho has no jurisdiction to issue hunting tags in Washington, D.C.” You’ve got to love Rex.
Then there was the “White Horse Prophecy” affair of last December. Rex initially sought to convene a January meeting in Idaho Falls of male Mormon Church leaders that excluded all females, non-Mormons and the press, and discussed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) founder Joseph Smith’s 19th century revelation, which says that during a time of future civil strife it will be left to a select group of Mormon “Elders” to uphold the U.S. Constitution. “The Latter Day Saints, the Elders of Israel, will step forward to its rescue and save it,” quoth Rex. This sparked another media uproar. The LDS Church distanced itself from Rammell because it doesn’t consider the prophecy to be official LDS doctrine. Rex eventually opened the controversial meeting — and three subsequent meetings — to the public.
Despite Rex’s fringe status, Idaho Democrats (actually in sheer numbers a fringe party themselves) and the media never tire of attempting to tie him to mainstream Idaho Republicans, and those Republicans continue to dismiss him as a crank. At a recent GOP dinner in Idaho Falls attended by both Governor Otter and Rex Rammell, the latter challenged the governor during some allotted time at the podium to a debate of the issues sometime before the May 25 primary. The Governor sat silently but later told the Idaho Falls Post Register that he would consider such a debate, but first he needed to continue wrangling with the state legislature about Idaho’s current budget problems.
In the meantime, T-Rex soldiers on. I wonder what’s for dessert after the spaghetti dinner?
About the Author
Bill Croke, formerly of Cody, Wyoming, is a writer in Salmon, Idaho.
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Kitty| 3.9.10 @ 6:36AM
You can add Jesse Ventura to your list.
...
basur | 10.27.10 @ 7:20AM
You beat me to Ventura, but I humbly add "Ahnold" to the list.
Cheer up though, because some would add Ronald Reagan to this list, but he sure proved 'en wrong, eh?
Jason B. Kane| 3.9.10 @ 7:50AM
Mr. Rammel appears to have the same qualifications for public office as Joe Biden: a fst running mouth coupled to a never functioning brain. Maybe Vice Presidential timber?
albert constantine, jr.| 3.9.10 @ 9:37PM
Per Mr. Biden at the VP debate, all the folks at Katie's Restaurant in Wilmington would be real proud to hear that.
Richard Baker| 3.9.10 @ 7:52AM
Go Rex! Enough of the processed and blow-dried political leadership afraid to speak their minds.
Bill H| 3.9.10 @ 8:59PM
Rich - You are part of the problem.
Jeff S| 3.11.10 @ 2:29AM
I hope and pray that the Idaho Republican Party does distance itself from Rex. Our State Republican party is about as conservative as the New York Times (just like most national party RINO's). Rex is exactly what you all are not... truly conservative, constitutionalist, God fearing and a believer in limited government. I am so sick of hearing Repub's in our state now repeating the mantra "constitution, constitution, constitution" and "founding fathers, founding fathers, founding fathers", when most of them have been in office for years. Did they just wake up and realize that they swore an oath to the Constitution? Or do they really think we're so stupid we'll fall for them again simply because they add a few "tea party" sounding words into their rehashed stump speeches. Go and meet Rex. Go to his website and read his platform. It boils down to... eliminate personal/corporate state income taxes, return the responsibility for education to the counties where it belongs, end ALL federal mandates and retake our state lands from federal control. How can you people even attempt to call yourselves conservative and not be in support of someone who stands by true conservative principals. Shame on you! Will you again, as in decades past, vote into office someone who tells you the "buzz words" you want to hear, and then proceeds to throw their promises and principals out the window? Please, before you believe what someone says about Rex, including me, find out for yourself what he's about and make your own informed decision this time.
Tina| 3.11.10 @ 12:49PM
Totally agree re the RINO's and the Republican party
It is very refreshing to hear a politician say what he really thinks instead of toeing the party line
I am a former Republican now Independent who will never vote for a candidate I don't like again(McCain) because the RINO leadership of the Repub party has shoved the candidate down our throats
If the Repubs want people like me back they will start electing true Conservative candidates and quit the "Can't we all just get along, we have to be inclusive" balderdash.
All the inclusion movement has done is moved the Repub party to the left of center we do not have a 2 party system in this country any more we have a 1 party system.
Jeff S| 3.11.10 @ 4:44PM
And that's why I joined the Constitution Party.
I was snubbed at a Lincoln Dinner last month and I told the organizer "that's why I joined the Constitution Party". She said, very snippy, "how's that working out for you?" I said, "at least they treat me with respect".
I'm sick of the Republicrat party. But I'll support Rex.
He wants to put the "REPUBLIC" back in the Republican Party!
Majito| 3.9.10 @ 8:58AM
but does can this guy, like Mrs Palin, field dress the elks, or he is just a pansy that all it does is place them at the drinking fountain for a flake to shoot?
Doctor Right| 3.9.10 @ 9:37AM
The President of the USA is an anti-American, Marxist/Leninist rabble-rouser (Chicago-style) who cavorts with our enemies, offends our friends, and is actively destroying the US economy...
...And I'm supposed to be bothered by a slightly kooky, colorful Republican from Idaho...?
For all I care, the good people of Idaho could nominate Napoleon Dynamite, as long as he's a Conservative.
Michael | 3.10.10 @ 10:57AM
Please be more delusional and dense. Obama's a pol, just like all of them. Your vitriol and inability to understand the different between Obama's platform and that of Karl Marx tends to make even Rammell look smart.
Read a real book. Thanks.
Tina| 3.11.10 @ 12:57PM
Nice job calling "Dr. Right names"
He is dead on about Mr. Obama and his platform
Debate his statements with facts to support your claims and quit acting like a Libtard and caalling him names
Brian H| 3.13.10 @ 11:35AM
Hear, hear. Calling Obozo "just another pol" is insulting deception. His murky background and horrific policies are way beyond the bounds of anything America has ever had to deal with. T-Rex is far more accomplished and saner.
owyheewine| 3.9.10 @ 9:38AM
Rex Rammell is a personable, and engaging person when you meet him face to face. He is also not without resources. He tours the state in a motor coach worthy of a first rank country or pop music star, with a custom paint job proclaiming "Rammell for (fill in the current office he's seeking)".
When he starts talking about politics he descends to the level of "Pro Life", a man who legally changed his name to get his issue on the ballot, and the scattered Democrat, whose mantra of bigger state government and higher taxes explains why they are so scarce here.
Hey California has the Botox queen, and New York has more crooked politicians than Idaho has population. We're entitled to our colorful cranks.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡| 3.9.10 @ 12:51PM
Anyone who “descends to the level of ‘Pro Life’” is infinitely preferable to anyone slithering in the gutter of ‘pro-choice’ which is, after all, but a euphemism for killing babies. Maybe you can sell ear tags for these innocents?
Gill O’Teen ✝✡
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
Celebrate Galt Day 4/15/2 Yo (aka 2010 A.D.)
Only 1,048 days to go!
Frank Lee| 3.13.10 @ 7:43PM
I'm surprised they don't sell them as Soilent Green or Shrunken Heads on a stick - since it's all about $$. As long as it's in a back room out of sight, abortion is ok for the sophisticated among us.
Pingback| 3.9.10 @ 9:48AM
The American Spectator : Tyrannosaurus Rex American Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Petronius| 3.9.10 @ 10:33AM
Koolaid anyone?
Pingback| 3.9.10 @ 11:45AM
The American Spectator : Tyrannosaurus Rex capital university links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jeff Perren | 3.9.10 @ 12:11PM
I've lived in Northern Idaho for 8 years and never heard of this fellow. That shows how little visibility state politics has here, and why it's one of the best states in the country in which to live.
That's exactly how it should be with the Federal government; you should hardly know they're there. Imagine it; a country in which the biggest threat you have to worry about from the government is whether they're going to clamp down on the equivalent of elk breeding for sport.
Northern Rebel| 3.9.10 @ 12:46PM
Kitty:
You beat me to Ventura, but I humbly add "Ahnold" to the list.
Cheer up though, because some would add Ronald Reagan to this list, but he sure proved 'en wrong, eh?
sestamibi| 3.9.10 @ 1:04PM
Makes me long for the measured, reasoned approach of Helen Chenoweth.
Interested Conservative| 3.9.10 @ 2:10PM
This is all interesting and such, and though I worked in the Tetons one summer long ago, it's been decades since I've been there, so I've lost touch with the local flavor, and Gov. Palin's Minnewegian isn't sufficiently restorative. Thus, what's most praiseworthy about this essay is the following phrase:
". . . one day in 2006 an enterprising elk on the ranch located a hole in the fence and tipped off 160 fellow wapiti, and the herd promptly escaped Rex's ungulate gulag . . ."
Bravo Bill! "fellow wapiti" and "ungulate gulag" in the same sentence fragment! Folks, that is mastery of the language, style simply unteachable at the finest eastern universities. Both Strunk and White would applaud.
Makes me want to come to the fundraiser in Salmon.
Pingback| 3.9.10 @ 2:34PM
The American Spectator : Tyrannosaurus Rex USA Cws links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
ric822| 3.9.10 @ 6:03PM
My State would never elect such a nut job, not once I tell you. However, here in California we might do it three times, as Jerry Brown is running for Governor again.
Pingback| 3.9.10 @ 6:59PM
Death Note Episodes | Current Events: mySpot4news.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
renee6| 3.9.10 @ 8:08PM
I grew up in Idaho. I now live in North Carolina, but Idaho will always be my home. This article makes me nostalgic.
Dai Alanye| 3.9.10 @ 10:34PM
These so-called shoes probably fall apart after walking thru a few puddles. They're absolute trash that only a fool would spend money on.
Mickeymate | 3.10.10 @ 5:04AM
Rex for Prez. Are you kidding me? He's great. The quip he has no jurisdiction for tagging in DC alone gets my vote. There's someone who understands whats happenin....
Dennis D| 3.10.10 @ 7:30AM
Its obvious he was joking
Richard Baker| 3.10.10 @ 10:00AM
Bill H:
The problem is finely dressed and coiffured political weasels who stick their wet fingers in the air, via polling, to decide which way to proceed. The country is ill served by these chameleons, Charlie Crist coming to mind, and it's waaaay past time to remove these jokers from public "service." If he or anyone else is not as described in the beginning of this message, then more power to them. Most people outside of the political hustle speak their minds. Go Rex!
Thomas Alva| 3.10.10 @ 12:53PM
I'm a big Rex fan. He easily the smartest man to run for the office in recent memory. I asked him some tough questions at a public meeting and he performed very well. A friend of mine describes his platform as "drool worthy."
Tex| 3.11.10 @ 11:06AM
I wish that guy Nemitz would run again against Simpson, one of Idaho's congressmen. Simpson's a RINO, voted for the 1st bailout, and has been in Congress far too long to be trusted.
NVRAT| 3.11.10 @ 11:31AM
We will send you Slime Ball Harry Reid you send us the REX. believe me we will get the best deal.
Rickfel| 3.12.10 @ 2:35PM
We will send you Moe, Larry, and Curly from Montana for REX.
Kelly| 3.11.10 @ 12:22PM
Why is the media so hung up on the little things? I don't care. I don't care about Rex's or anyone else's little quirks. I don't care if they make a fool of themselves. (Which Rex has done) I don't care if there politically correct. This isn't a beauty contest. I really don't care what there values are, SO LONG AS, the one value they do possess is to uphold the Constitution and keep government the hell out of my and my fellow mans lives.
After all the ONLY oath our politicians, military, & police take is on the singular value I speak of. The oath is to uphold and defend the Constitution against ALL enemies both foreign and DOMESTIC. Why is this the ONLY oath they take? Why is it that so many of our public servants (Probably 90% or more) have not read and do not understand the Constitution? Answer these questions and you've solved America's problems.
Rex maybe a wild eyed crazy cook but he's got it right when it comes to the oath he'll be taking. He's got my vote!
walt dukehart| 3.11.10 @ 12:41PM
Hey Croke, you left off your list the biggest buffoon in American history - Bill Clinton.
Tim| 3.11.10 @ 5:31PM
I was willing to agree with the main point of the article--that Rex Rammell doesn't represent main-stream Republicans--until I read the comments.
Now I'm not so sure.
Osamas Pajamas| 3.12.10 @ 2:41AM
Hmmm. I remember ABC News outing the identities of the US Iraq interrogation advisors in an attempt to get them assassinated by ABC News-sympathizers or by Democrat-sympathizers or by jihadi loonytoon-sympathizers --- it's hard to distinguish one gang of these criminals from the others. Where's the outrage?!
shipley130| 3.12.10 @ 7:07PM
Maybe I missed it, but did any of Rex Rammell's elk have any disease? The federal government is up in arms because the Japanese refused to import American beef over the foot in mouth disease, just in case. This seems to be kind of the same thing.
Comparing Rex Rammell to some of these skanky politicians is just plain wrong.
ogame | 11.5.10 @ 4:10PM
tahank you for posted me
ogame | 11.27.10 @ 5:36PM
How can you people even attempt to call yourselves conservative and not be in support of someone who stands by true conservative principals
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