Minutes after a bipartisan ethics committee voted unanimously to clear Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, of wrongdoing, Idaho state GOP chair Norm Semanko rose to Pearce's defense.
Said Semanko: "Rather than facing up to high gas and energy prices and the real issues confronting our state and nation, the Democrats are reduced to playing 'gotcha' games; unfortunately, this is a pattern that we have seen from Democrats throughout the legislative session."
Democrats called for the ethics investigation after Pearce, the chairman of the Senate's resources committee, revealed he had oil and gas leases on his ranch. The disclosure came after oil and gas rules and legislation had been approved in Pearc's committee.
Here, in full, is Semanko's statement:
Proving once again that no good deed goes unpunished, politically desperate Democrats who are as out of touch as President Obama and their Washington, D.C., counterparts on energy issues, filed a baseless complaint about a state senator who revealed a potential conflict of interest before a floor vote on oil and gas issues.
Rather than facing up to high gas and energy prices and the real issues confronting our state and nation, the Democrats are reduced to playing 'gotcha' games; unfortunately, this is a pattern that we have seen from Democrats throughout the legislative session.
With Senator Pearce being cleared of any wrong doing by the Senate Ethics Committee, I now call on the Idaho Democrats to explain to Idaho families why they are opposed to the responsible utilization of our natural resources, including oil and gas development rather than hiding behind baseless ethics charges.
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Gotcha!
Republicans don't have to follow the rules? What makes them so special?
Semanko
For h-e-double toothpicks sake, someone buy Semanko a ticket to the southern US
I'm sure he has one to
I'm sure he has one to Tampa. Unfortunately, it's probably a round trip flight.
Oh, Brother..anyone surprised that Semanko would whine
and make this about the Democrats in Washington, DC? Talk about out of touch.
I actually think this is a good wake-up call for members of the legislature. People are watching. It's not hard to declare a conflict. They should all know that.
Mr. Semanko you have damaged our Party....
Hey! I’m a Republican! I’ve only voted for one national Dem my entire life. I was flying the Gadsden flag before flying the Gadsden flag was cool.
Republicans, Dems, and Indies worry about scofflaw legislators and political hacks from all areas of our Great State of Idaho.
Mr. Semanko, Idaho Citizens, Republicans, Dems, and Indies call on the Idaho Legislators to explain to Idaho families why they are opposed to the passage of responsible, effective Ethics Legislation.
Mr. Denney, Mr. Hill, Mr. Semanko, your “baby steps” to Ethics statement regarding Ethics Legislation sounds more like the “Tammany Hall two step” to Idaho Citizens. You need to get out more. Listen to your constituents. You have damaged our Party.
Your “baby steps to Ethics” comment generates more laughter among conservative than when we watched former Democrat Presidential Candidate Mike Dukakis in his borrowed oversized army helmet in his hilarious "tank commander" political advertisement years ago.
Yeah Norm,
time to get back to the real important issues that confront our state, like puppy bait for wolves, tents on the old Ada Co. courthouse, tax breaks for developers, control over a womans body, lawsuits against the federal government, peppergrass, trashing the folks chosen to re-draw district maps because it wasn't to your liking, ignoring quetionable actions by other legislators, (Hart comes to mind) making ignorant, disparaging remarks on the senate floor. Yeah Norm, back to business as usual for the Idaho Legislature. Yep, gotcha loud and clear.
He represents well those who vote for him; idiot...
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
Wow, what real issues.
go4it did a great job in showing us the real issues. With the number of Democrats in the legislative, Norm is blaming them for not addressing the job issue in Idaho. I believe Rommey even says: Jobs is his biggest concern. The Republicans control the State of Idaho, it is amazing how bad the Idaho Democratic Party has destroyed the States economy. If you believe this, I have some prime beach front property in Twin Falls County for sale.
Dumb and Dumber
Norm we have not forgotten about all the time you wasted in your sleezy attempt to by pass the AG's office with attempted coup of the redistricting committee. Each time you open your mouth you prove yourself a bigger fool.
Semanko
Seig Semanko! Seig Semanko! Seig Semanko!
Prove it
The proof will be in the ballot box.
Norm just wants to be the next Larry Craig
To qualify, I wonder if he has the wide stance?