Governor's race 2010 (Boise: how much, business, mayor)

[jufrbo]

I know its way early, and I don't know how much traction this will get, but I'm a political junkie, so here goes.

I work at the Capitol annex, and there is some word that Gov. Otter (a fierce libertarian-conservative turned hard core moderate) may not seek a second term. The main front runner for the GOP at this time is the current Lt. Governor Brad Little, a moderate Republican. For the Democrats Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, a run of the mill Democrat who hails from the North End.

There isn't a lot chance of a Dem getting elected, but Otter was faced with a fairly strong showing by Jerry Brady, someone with very little political cred. Early in the election he was actually losing in some polls. I'm just wondering if anyone else has given this race much thought yet, or what anyone's thoughts are.

For those outside of Boise, is it even conceivable to elect a North End Democrat to the state's highest post? Even though I am a Libertarian I think that things function best, when the legislature and the executive branch are of different parties, and I have voted for Bieter in the past, and think he has done a good job as mayor.

Any thoughts, or still too early?

[Syringaloid]

How popular do you think Otter is and has been around the state during his term so far? I do not really hear a lot of positive remarks about him and a lot of people seem embarrased he is our gov. I believe that most of the State has realized during Otters term thus far that as a voter you cannot vote in a Gov simply because he is Republican.
Kempthorne was Republican but he was much more involved around the State and was aggressive and business savvy. Otter has been a different story.
I feel our state has regressed since Otter has been the gov.