Idaho political thread

[War on Want]

Yes seems very boring but here I will analyze politics in Idaho and why it is a deep red state and who makes up the Republican Party here. I hope this gives you a better understanding of western politics and if you want I can do one of Utah(simple), and few other areas.

First off religous analyzing is crucial here. In Idaho the Republican Party is made up of two major groups, Mormons and Evangelicals. The Evangelicals are really only powerful in North Idaho and parts of Boise, Nampa and parts of Pocatello. The Democrats are made up of an odd combination of Athiests/Agnostics, mainline Protestants, some Catholics and an odd mishmash of a few more liberal evangelicals and some Jack Mormons. Unfortunatley for the Democrats, the Republicans are really not divided in any large way besides on some referendum(casino stuff) and really the main way to distinguish the divide is to split is to look closely at committee bills and referenda where Mormons are significantly more socially conservative and the Evangelicals are much more libertarian.



The above map is from 2002 and significantly shows the divide between Mormons/more radical Evangelicals/some Catholics and more moderate Evangelicals/Indies/Democrats. It is on tribal gaming laws, Green is Yes and Red is no.

I will do a more detailed analysis later.

[War on Want]

Just for reference here is a list of religous membership comparing Kootenai County(Coeur D' Alene, where I live) compared to Bannock County(Pocatello) to show major differences between religous adherents. This was from the 2000 census and I can tell you that almost for sure that Evangelical membership has grown tremendously, while Catholics and Mormons have flatlined in Kootenai County.

Kootenai County:
1. Catholic Church- 12,573 members
2. Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints(Mormons)- 4,808
3. Assemblies of God(Evangelical)- 4,877
4. Lutheran Church Missouri Synod(really Evangelical)- 2,227
5. Evangelical Lutheran Church(regardless of name more liberal)- 1,119
Total Adherents: 35.2%

Bannock County:
1. Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints(Mormons)- 35,659
2. Catholic Church- 4,281
3. Luthern Church Missouri Synod(Evangelical)- 1,435
4. Southern Baptists- 1,018
5. Methodist Church- 752
Percent of total Adherents: 62.6%

Partially the reason why the amount of adherents is so low in Kootenai County is the amount of Evangelicals that migrate from church to church.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I'm Evangelical Lutheran. I'm surprised there's that many in Idaho.

[CultureKing]

Interesting. Considering that I am going to be living in Spokane this fall I should probably learn up a bit more about Idaho politics (and local Spokane politics).

[minionofmidas]

Gee. Would the vote in Lewis County have something to do that even though it's just 4% Native American, almost all of it is technically on a reservation?

[War on Want]

Gee. Would the vote in Lewis County have something to do that even though it's just 4% Native American, almost all of it is technically on a reservation?

Yeah pretty much. As you can see Benewah County was also very close and it is on a reservation.

[bgwah]

Interesting. Considering that I am going to be living in Spokane this fall I should probably learn up a bit more about Idaho politics (and local Spokane politics).

Are you going to Gonzaga or something? Whitworth?

[CultureKing]

Interesting. Considering that I am going to be living in Spokane this fall I should probably learn up a bit more about Idaho politics (and local Spokane politics).

Are you going to Gonzaga or something? Whitworth?

Gonzaga. Whoot! I really did not think much about it until I had a visit there and then basically fell in love with it, hopefully it will live up to my expectations.