BLOG ENTRY: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4, 2006
Everything you need to know IF your candidate filled in the survey.
Full story

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, OCT. 02, 2006
Understand the number in concrete terms. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 29, 2006 NY Times story gives new meaning to government fear.Full story

BLOG ENTRY: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27,2006 Boise Weekly's annual Best of Boise gives Andy's campaign a "best of" Full story. See the rest of the Boise Weekly story on "Best Of Boise"

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 25, 2006 Opinion writer Jim Fisher of the Lewiston Tribune shows just how out of touch he is in hewing to the Democratic Party line regarding our First District Congressional race in an editorial carried in the Trib last Sunday. See Andy's response

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 22, 2006: Brad W. Gary of the Lewiston Tribune reports on our candidate's crash party last night in protest over not being included in the debates.See the full story

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2006: We're headed north Thursday, even though we weren't invited. Andy will be outside the Lewis-Clark College library, 500 7th Ave. in Lewiston during the Idaho Press Club debates from which we have been unfairly excluded. See the press release

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 2006: Idaho election law says a party may remain on the ballot indefinitely as long as it continues to run at least 3 candidates (the package of president, vice-president and electors counts as one). This year, the United Party of Idaho (a centrist party, somewhat like the Reform Party) nominated 3 candidates. However, one of them moved out of his legislative district, and was removed from the November ballot. See the site

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 2006: Andy's hitting the streets hard again this week, talking up his candidacy in visits and "walk & talks" around Boise and north Idaho. Among the highlights, we'll be in an important meeting before the Idaho Statesman's editorial board Thursday morning before we head north to "crash" the north Idaho First District Congressional debates, to which we were UNFAIRLY NOT INVITED.The weekly schedule

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 2006: As our campaign continues itsbattleto get into this Thursday's north Idaho congressional debate in Lewiston, sponsored by the Idaho Press Club, Tim Lohrmann weighs in with a letter to KLEW TV's (Lewiston) station manager Fred Fickenwirth. Plus, we review the email exchanges with various parties over this matter.Read the correspondence

BLOG ENTRY, FRIDAY, SEPT. 15, 2006: In 1978 I was publishing a weekly paper in a small town, trying to build a business by helping others promote and grow theirs. That year brought one of the worst winters on record. Snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures that lasted for weeks on end brought local commerce to a near full stop. Some of the local business owners were even afraid they'd go broke. Andy's latest editorial

BLOG ENTRY: THURSDAY, SEPT. 14, 2006: We don't get it, but the Lewis-Clark chapter of the Idaho Press Club has decided to exclude us from the north Idaho debates they are organizing Sept. 21. We're not giving up without a fight. Our press release

BLOG ENTRY, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13, 2006: Republican Bill Sali says he supports a bill that would mandate the use of English in federal government business, showing he's determined to stick to a strategy of raising red-meat issues that don't mean much to Idahoans. By Greg Hahn, Idaho Statesman. Andy's quoted. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2006: Let's hear it for Jim Risch and Butch Otter. Together, they have destroyed an Idaho tradition that made the only candidate debate that is televised statewide a command performance. The Lewiston Tribune wonders if these GOP party leaders have set the stage for other Republican candidates to not debate the issues. Editorial by Jim Fisher

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2006: In his farewell address to the American people Sept. 17, 1796, George Washington devoted five full pages to warning our young nation about the danger of political parties. After observing the Democrats and the Republicans in Idaho's First District Congressional race, it's easy to see why Washington was so concerned. Read Andy's editorial

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 11, 2006: We're the recipient of some sunny Monday-morning correspondence from the news director at ABC affiliate, Channel 6, Scott Picken. Our kind readers will note that ABC apparently didn't vet the polling information delivered last week in any standard journalistic way, but simply rehashed what their colleagues over at market leader NBC affiliate KTVB Channel 7 had rejected as being damaged goods. See the emails

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 11, 2006: They can argue about the reliability of Greg Smith's recent poll in the First Congressional District and, in fact, we're pretty dubious. But one thing from the study smells valid: 61% of those who were asked said they were undecided. That's our opening. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 8, 2006: Now we're down to the hard work, and the candidate has his walking sneakers on. Yesterday, Andy wowed them at the Eagle Senior and Community Center with his message of pulling together to overcome the bitterness and corruption in Congress. Today, he's visiting with seniors and business owners in Caldwell. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 8, 2006: Now that we have our online subscription to the Moscow Daily News, we've spotted an earlier piece of reporting from Andy's most recent visit to north Idaho. The Daily News liked Andy's take on small business. See the story

BLOG ENTRY: THURSDAY, SEPT. 7, 2006: Bumper stickers, badges, brochures, roll stickers, T-shirts. Get them and display them proudly! Many of you have already requested some of our campaign materials, which are now in distribution and on the streets. But we need to continue to spread the word and get our guy's name before the public. YOU CAN HELP!

BLOG ENTRY: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6, 2006: Idaho Gov. Jim Risch, who is seeking his second election as lieutenant governor of Boise, has agreed to debate his opponent, in Boise. If that doesn't sound quite right to you, it's probably because you don't live in Boise or its environs, also known as the Great State of Ada. Editorial by Jim Fisher, The Lewiston Tribune. (Related site posting).

BLOG ENTRY: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6, 2006: Here at Hedden-Nicely U.S. Congress, we're keeping a close eye on Texas, where author, singer and provocateur Kinky Friedman is injecting some life into the gubernatorial race with his independent campaign. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, SEPT. 5: The Opinion page of the Idaho Press- Tribune looks underneath the hype over "Republicans for Grant," and finds they're actually a group of Democrat Larry Grant's corporate pals, some of whom have greased the palms of politicians in both parties down through the years. See the editorial

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 4, 2006: Apparently, the Idaho Statesman doesn't need to hear any more about the views of the candidates in Idaho's First District Congressional race! Sunday's Opinion page telegraphed the newspaper's endorsement of corporate lawyer Larry Grant, the Democrat, over GOP scourge Bill Sali (as usual, completely ignoring OUR campaign) - a full two months before the election. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 4, 2006: Lewiston Tribune editorial writer Jim Fisher asks Bill Sali's financial Sugar Daddy, the anti-tax Club for Growth, what it thinks about the candidate's recent "yes" vote that raised Idaho's sales tax 20%. See the editorial

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, SEPT. 4, 1006: Jim Risch, our Girly Governor, has now officially bowed out of the League of Women Voters lieutenant governor debate on Idaho Public Television (IPTV), according to the Associated Press. It means he won't take part in the only forum where folks all over Idaho have a chance to hear the candidates speak (it's a statewide broadcast). The official reason was that Risch feared "disruptive behavior" by Democrat candidate Larry LaRocco. What's that? Was he afraid LaRocco would punch him out? Or strip naked? Apparently Risch feels assured of better security arrangements at NBC affiliate KTVB, the top-ranked local station but one whose broadcasts are limited to the Boise region (in other words, the population center of the state). KTVB will put the candidates side-by-side Oct. 10. Risch agreed to that one. Earlier story

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 1, 2006: Ray Heidt of Marsing takes Republican Congressional Candidate Bill Sali to task over the potential financial impact of immigration legislation that Sali supports. Ray, did you say $1.1 trillion? Heidt's letter was carried in today's edition of the Idaho Press-Tribune.

BLOG ENTRY: FRIDAY, SEPT. 1, 2006: Twelve First District voters who guessed the correct number of lawyers in the U.S. Congress (175) have won a lunch with Andy. They were among more than 800 voters who took part in our jelly-bean-count contest over the past month. We're in the process of notifying the winners and will list them next week. All participants will receive free Hedden-Nicely bumper stickers.

BLOG ENTRY: THURSDAY, AUG. 31, 2006 / / / In the Idaho lieutentant governor's race, both the Democrat, Larry LaRocco, and the Republican, Gov. Jim Risch, come off looking pretty bad in the brouhaha over their participation in the League of Women Voters debates. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: THURSDAY, AUG. 31, 2006 / / / Andy's been invited by ABC affiliate Channel 6 of Boise to meet up on camera with Today's 6 News anchor Don Nelson. Channel 6 said in a letter to Andy that the station will explore the various issues in the campaign one-on-one with the candidates as opposed to any kind of forum. Candidates will have up to one minute to respond to Nelson's questions which, apparently, will be forwarded in advance. The segments will begin airing the week of Oct. 8 and will run until the election on Nov. 7.

BLOG ENTRY: THURSDAY, AUG. 31, 2006 / / / Note to Bill Cope: Thanks, but we don't need any campaign advice even though you're not offering. It's nice that you're thinking about us, though. (Note to reader: You have to read through another long diatribe against the Republicans to get to the non-offer).

BLOG ENTRY: WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30, 2006 / / / United Party Candidate Andy Hedden-Nicely has confirmed his participation in the First District Congressional debate jointly organized by the League of Women Voters of Idaho, the Idaho Press Club and Idaho Public Television. The debate is set for Oct. 24, 2006, 14 days before the Nov. 7 election. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, AUG. 29, 2006 / / / The Democrat in our First District race, former Micron Corporate Lawyer Larry Grant, has opened a sub web site, Republicans for Grant, where all of his apparent new friends, the guys who hate Bill Sali so much, have gone for some psychological comfort. Presumably having given Grant dough and lent their good names to his effort, they are sleeping a bit better at night. Full story

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, AUG. 28, 2006: / / / Cascade - Andy Hedden-Nicely has finished a two-week campaign run through northern Idaho in his "Unit 1" camper and likes what he heard. In each community he visited, the former publisher and candidate for Idaho's First Congressional District met people who are disenchanted by a two-party system they feel leaves them out of the political process. Read our story by Dan Gallagher, Long Valley Advocate.

BLOG ENTRY: TUESDAY, AUG. 29, 2006: Sorry, but the 10 free Official Hedden-Nicely U.S. Congress T-shirts were claimed within the first two hours yesterday. Congratulations to the winners and we expect you to wear them proudly, continuously from now through the election Nov. 7. Those of you who were too late but who'd like to have a shirt can contribute to the campaign or join the party.

BLOG ENTRY: MONDAY, AUG. 28, 2006 /// Andy's National Political Awareness (NPAT) profile has now been posted on www.vote-smart.org, a national library of factual information about candidates and elected officials. Project Vote Smart's NPAT data base describes candidates and elected officials in five basic categories of information: biographical background, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings. Andy's handsome picture is there too. Democrat Larry Grant answered the questions but Bill Sali didn't. For that omission, Vote Smart spanks Sali in red.

UP research shows voters' perspective on politicians

BLOG ENTRY: AUGUST 25, 2006 / / / A United Party-funded research project reveals that voters think they're being treated with little respect by their elected leaders. "It's clear the public is fed up with the Republicans and the Democrats and the mess they have created in Washington," said United Party Candidate Andy Hedden-Nicely, who's running for Idaho's First Congressional District seat. Research results (Don't click if you are easily offended)

Facing the music: Give Sen. Craig credit

BLOG ENTRY, AUGUST 24, 2006 / / / Republican Sen. Larry Craig again faced angry constituents over his stand on the immigration debate, this time Tuesday at Couer d'Alene, according to the Couer d'Alene Press. One angry participant in the town hall meeting said, "I am sick of listening to these lies," before storming out, the AP also reported. North Idaho College Board of Trustees candidate Steve Hess was reported to have yelled at Craig while others in the audience booed. Give Craig credit for not hiding in Washington and instead heading out into his state to put forth his views on immigration, which are less punitive and, in our opinion, more rational than those who just want to throw a net around all aliens and drag them to the border -- with no concern for the impracticality of that approach, the physical impracticality and the impracticality such a policy would mean to the Idaho economy. We know it's a difficult subject that not everyone will agree on, and we think that the more radical elements on this issue always tend to be louder (and more rude) than those who have more balanced views on the subject. Our views are rather in sync with Sen. Craig on immigration, despite our reservations about his lock-step blind support of big business generally. "I thought the lack of decorum and the lack of respect for a U.S. Senator was inexcusable," North Idaho College President Michael Burke said Wednesday. "This was a first for me." Burke and Kootenai County Commissioner Rick Currie reportedly left the meeting before it ended, in disgust.

Friendly reminder to the BW: It's not just Grant and Sali

BLOG ENTRY: AUGUST 23, 2006 / / / (EDITOR'S NOTE: The following was sent to Boise Weekly editor Nick Collias) / / / Dear Nick: / / / It's not as if you're not covering our campaign. And we appreciate the coverage so far. But in the minor references you guys still fall into the trap of framing the First District Congressional race in terms of Republican Sali vs. Democrat Grant. I refer to "Cheney on the stump, rock on the grove" (p. 8) and "The Trifecta" (p. 9) in the August 16-22 issue.

We're running a highly active campaign and attracting greater and greater support, especially after Andy and Debi's two-week trip to North Idaho. We EXIST and we're going to be a major factor in this election (we intend to win it). Just please consider this another friendly reminder that Andy is into this thing with both feet. Your readers deserve to be reminded of that every time you write about the First Congressional District race. /// Regards, Kehrt