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Nels Mitchell on Principles & Values |
"Jim Risch wants to run as the anti-everything candidate because he has a dismal record of working for Idaho," Mitchell said. "It's no wonder he says it doesn't matter if he's on the job or not, because when you vote the way he does, it really doesn't."
"It's easy to vote 'no' when you're on the extreme fringe and your vote doesn't count," he said. "What's harder is to roll up your sleeves and get to work for Idaho. That's what I'll do."
"Instead of bragging about how far right he is, Jim Risch should apologize to the people of Idaho for doing little but promoting gridlock and dysfunction," Mitchell said.
Risch stands in contrast to his Republican Senate colleagues, not so much because he's more conservative but because he doesn't seek the spotlight like some, including three possible presidential candidates. Risch cedes the point. "I'm not running for president, and I don't have a book that I'm selling," he said. "So given that, there's a lot more work to be done right in this room than there is to walking over to the rotunda and getting on Fox or what have you."
Those who know him say he's a strict constitutionalist, a believer in small government and states' rights. His voting record is more conservative than those of Minority Leader McConnell (#25) and tea-party stars Cruz (#4), Paul (#19) and Rubio (#17).
"I don't think I've ever been within 150 miles of Harry Reid," Mitchell said of Risch's accusation that he was handpicked. He fired back that Risch has spent his term in Washington serving the interests of himself and hardcore conservatives.
Both camps hope to define the other as "extreme." Mitchell's campaign is focused on labeling Risch a "fringe" tea party conservative. The campaign's message aims to isolate Risch from at least two of his peers in the Idaho Congressional delegation. Mitchell said, if elected, he would team up with Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and champion federal protection of the Boulder-White Clouds tract through legislation. He also said he would have partnered with Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and co-sponsored VAWA.
Mitchell said, if elected, he would team up with Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and champion federal protection of the Boulder-White Clouds tract through legislation. He also said he would have partnered with Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and co-sponsored VAWA.