Developing: Bridge Collapses Near Seattle…Unknown Injuries…See the Photos

Doc Thompson’s 24-hour radio marathon, ‘#24forok,’ continues until 9 am ET — Listen Live!

Business

Idaho’s Gov. Otter Switched from Fighting ObamaCare to Participating – Watch Him Explain Why

Mar. 22, 2013 8:27am Christopher Santarelli

As the governor of Idaho, C.L. “Butch” Otter gained national attention when he switched from standing up to ObamaCare to later deciding to push his state to participate by setting up a health insurance exchange of its own.

Otter, a Republican who says his state is the reddest of the red states, explained in an interview with TheBlaze that he is far from backing down. Rather, his change of strategy is positioning Idaho to lead the fight against in what he thinks is President Barack Obama’s real end goal: a single-payer system run by the federal government.

It is better for the state to administer its own system than to cede that authority to the federal government, Otter said, adding that it will be harder to create a single exchange if every state has its own distinct system.

Otter, who is currently serving his second term as Governor of Idaho after six years in the U.S. Congress, is a businessman-turned-politician who previously spent 30 years with J.R. Simplot Co., one of the biggest suppliers of French fries to the fast food industry.

In an exclusive interview with TheBlaze contributor Mallory Factor, Otter discussed how Idaho could teach Washington how to balance a budget and why Americans should consider moving from blue states to red states.

Watch the full interview below:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (84)

djmaine
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:48am
Can you say “Deal”?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- JRook
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 2:24pm
  Because similar to Ohio and Florida it is all about the money. Which is why we have 3 times as many military bases as we need, a tax code that brings effective tax rates for large corporations to near zero and banking regulations that allow great citizens like Romney to place his money offshore to avoid paying taxes like the majority of real citizens.
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 4:26pm
  This is what you get when the Federal Government is all powerful… The states have no power to stop what the Federal Government implements because the Senate is independent from the States… As a result of the 17th Amendment, the senators are elected by voters directly rather than by the state legislators as originally designed… The States are not represented anymore… http://www.repeal17.net Read, think and donate…
  
  Report this comment
- jlfonz
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:41pm
  Gov Walker in Wisconsin didn’t do it because it would cost the taxpayers a minimum of 65 million dollars a year in uncompensated expenses to run the exchange FOR the federal government with even larger amounts every year after that.
  
  Report this comment
- marssnw
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:54pm
  Yeah, I and the rest of Idaho voters will remember that when it comes election time again. Douche bag!!
  
  Report this comment
rjdeh74
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:21am
We in Idaho hae been teling him not to do this, but he doesn’t listen to us. He does what he wants and we all are planning to vote him out of office.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ONLY4UANDME
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 12:24pm
  Same thing here in Ohio. We voted 2 to 1 against Obama care and Gov Kasich is doing the same thing and the timing is the same. They made a deal and these Gov have got to be voted out.
  
  Report this comment
- SimpleTruths
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 1:18pm
  You will lose.
  
  Report this comment
- orkydorky
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 1:30pm
  A lot of politicians here in Idaho will be voted out of office, just because they promised one thing and did exactly the other against the wishes of the people that put them into office. The same old bait and switch and climb into bed with the lobbyists. The people of Idaho will, and are going to stand up to them and believe me will not be a part of going along to get along mentality on the health issue or the gun issue.
  
  Report this comment
- okaaay
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:21am
  I know who I won’t be voting for!
  
  Report this comment
remnantofjoseph
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:06am
Otter, you should have joined with some of the other states and NOT participated at all. In Idaho those arguing for the state plan and those arguing for the fed plan were all basically saying the same thing. They don’t get it. They should have opted out!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
searcher
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:32am
Otter is an idiot and has no balls.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ONLY4UANDME
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 12:26pm
  That’s ok. No need for pocket pool with all the money that will fill them. He’ll be smiling bigger than ever.
  
  Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:30am
Lets say you don’t go to the doctor and get your physical, maybe they don’t fire you on the spot, that would be too obvious? They get you for selling boy scout cookies, even though you’ve been doing that for years? They will find ways to get rid of you over a few months?

It’s not going to stop at reporting you weight and blood pressure? They will demand you take medications to control your “condition” what ever that is? This is straight out of Hitler Nazi Scientist Germany? They should call it “The Affordable American Lab Rat Act”, you will be a lab rat for insurance companies?

If you don’t own a gun, get a prescription for depression drugs for “mental wellness”, and watch how fast you are promoted to a new position in the company? Once you are on their mind drugs, you pick up the prescriptions, they only cost $5 at Walmart, you just never actually take them? Underwrite that calculation? Never mind, they might catch on to it? Only highly trained specialists who have no fear of getting fired can do that?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- wwotp
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:36am
  Your use of a question mark instead of the period at the end of the sentence makes what you write utterly irritating. Use a period on a declarative statement, use a question when the sentence actually asks something. I like your points, but, your question marks make my head hurt because in rereading to find out what question was posed, I find no real question asked.
  
  Report this comment
freedomcatcher
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:57am
Beware of republicans bearing gifts.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Proverbs17-12NLT
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:54am
I live in democrat controlled Washington State and had to travel to Idaho last year. It was like entering a different world, the people were way nicer, no face piercing or neck tattoos on people, no beggars on the street corners, the streets were cleaner and maintenance with no pot holes, the businesses were set up better, there were no police radaring traffic, there were no Obama stickers on Volvo’s, Prius’s and subaru’s. On my drive home in Washington I counted 18 WSP radaring cars, people were rude while driving, roads were littered with potholes, garbage and bumpy, traffic was terrible and congested, every other car had Obama stickers and driving oblivious. When my family and business decide to leave this God forsaken craphole of a state we will be moving to Idaho. By the way Glen I live in Bellingham and went to SHS 2 years behind you. Nice to hear your live show on KGMI when you were traveling through last year.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Northrockies
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:19am
  It would be best to make that decision sooner, rather than later. Come to Idaho! We need more people like you. Many of my friends are those who moved after being fed up with Washington…both Washingtons!
  
  Report this comment
- PK_SEA
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:19am
  I grew up in ID and now live in western WA. I miss Idaho.
  
  Report this comment
- vpeva1
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:43am
  Idaho is the countrys best kept secret….thanks to our potatoes. No one wants to be from potato land. I was born and raised here and have tried moving but always find my way back. You can tell you’re here by how nice everyone is. Kids still play outside on the streets, neighbors still talk (except one close by from CA. They NEVER come out and even have three young boys. It’s so strange. They once said how they see eveyone out and they feel uncomfortable. Poor souls!). We need good people to keep our way of life. It’s heartbreaking when I see a car (which is about once a day) with an Obama sticker. I just remind myself that the rest of us without stickers don’t want him….that makes a whole lot. The best part about Idaho though….is that maybe one day DC will outlaw us since if you turn our state on it’s side we look like a gun pointing right at them!
  I Love ID! All are welcome….except those who want change!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Dunedainn
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 5:53pm
  We do in fact have panhandlers here in Boise; in fact in the last couple years their numbers have been steadily increasing (huh, wonder why that might be?).
  
  And if you get too close to the Boise State campus you’ll see some distasteful (read as: pro-Obama) bumper stickers. These people may as well be driving around with swastikas on their cars for all the similarities between their idol and Hitler.
  
  Report this comment
- okaaay
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:24am
  Except for Sun Valley unfortunately. All the wackos are here. Although they actually voted for Romney instead of Obama this last election, which was startling.
  I love Idaho too.
  
  Report this comment
- Moosedrool
  Posted on March 27, 2013 at 6:27pm
  Really? At first I thought you were being sarcastic, but then you seemed serious. Potholes, tattoos, piercings (and holes in ears the size of quarters), Obama stickers on Libarus. I see those everyday in the Idaho I live in. Oh, and the WA state drivers are real jerks.
  
  Report this comment
CrazyAzBiker
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:52am
Stand up for the Constitution! Healthcare is not what the government is supposed to be doing! Its unconstitutional… I dont need some judge that no one elected to try and make me believe that it is Constitutional. He is not upholding his oath to protect and defend the Constitution and should be thrown out of office!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- termyt
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:17am
  States are in a pickle, though. If they don’t act, the Federal Government will ceding even more power to it.
  
  This is why the Senate, according to the Constitution prior to the 17th Amendment, the Senate was elected by the State legislatures. It wasn’t because the Founders didn’t trust the people to elect Senators. It was because the Senate would give voice to the sovereign States. It would be their house. Unfunded mandates as well as extreme over-reaches of Federal power would not pass the Senate if the Senators had to answer to their legislatures to get elected.
  
  Repeal the 17th Amendment.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:45am
“Otter, …that he is far from backing down.”

It’s hard to win a battle if you keep retreating, and ceding strategic positions to the cockroach enemy. By letting the poison gas a little more in the door doesn’t make it more manageable. Idaho will not teach Washington anything, Washington DC is incapable of learning. They are permanently brain damaged, and insane with power lust. To cooperate with them is to sign your own death warrant.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Stoic one
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:42am
Most politicians seem to be about only money,

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Vision Harry
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:41am
I’m trying to figure out why individual states and or companies can’t start their own medical services. Why do we need to be recognized by the federal government as a legitimate entity? I would be more than willing to give my money to any consortium other than the feds. I say, bring the power back to the states and to individuals. Governor Otter represents me in Idaho and normally does a nice job,but this is what happens when the country boy finds the bright lights and bustle of the big cities. Unfortunately, we as states have been snookered into two false choices as per the health exchanges.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- PK_SEA
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:21am
  Because the federal government will withhold funds if your state does not comply. Mainly federal transportation funds, which can have a huge impact on state budgets if you need a bridge built/repaired, interstates repaired, etc.
  
  Report this comment
- rosegrower
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:42am
  Obamacare effectively eliminated any of the state-run attempts at low-cost health care by imposing mandates for coverage. In Indiana, lower income people could purchase very reasonably priced catastrophic care policies from the state – these covered things like hospitalization, surgery and other “big ticket” procedures while leaving day to day doctor visits etc. for the patient to pay. When Obamacare became law, these people were told they either had to pay for an upgraded policy that covered “wellness” visits, contraception, etc. or be shunted into the Medicaid program. Obviously, most people dropped all coverage and are now waiting to get sick before buying a policy of any kind – since Obamacare also mandates that all insurers have to provide coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
  
  Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:39am
Great article on how “we” got here.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/53400

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
servant100
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:25am
Can you say RINO….

Can you say Political Whore…..

Can you say Sellout….

Can you say TOAST!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SGT Rock
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:10am
If you have not sign up for twiter and follow The Dear Leader, I swear every tweet is aimed at slamming blame for everything on the Repubs, no wonder thelow information, heads into their cell phone kids beleive everything he says. Dear Leader does not even offer proof just false claims, boy he is the Lord of Lies or Flies can’t decide yet.
Repubs are full of progressives and that is why we are seeing a one party system where the progressives are on each side. Real Democrats died with JFK and real repubs died with Reagan, since then we have had porgressives (commie lovers) leading both parties. We need to embrace ANY politician that has conservative ways. No longer should we be Repubs or Democrats but Conservatives or Progressives. We should bring the old school Democrats into our folds and creat a Conservative party and I do not mean a religious based party since that scares the Democratic conservatives. We need to redefine conservativism as what the rot word means, CONSERVE.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:20am
  You’re on the right track and I propose we put an end to our one party system and insist that whoever is in power governs within the bounds of the constitution. It’ll take many many years before that happens though because most Amerikans as proved through the last two presidential elections wouldn’t recognize a politician who governed within the bounds of the constitution if their lives depended on it.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:02am
  SGT: Interesting in looking back at the last campaign , remember how the Democrats accused the Republicans od being out to destroy / make Obama a one term president ?” Now look t their concerted effort to divide / destroy the Republican Party . Pure Alinsky : accuse your opponent of doing what you are actually doing ! The radicals are always on the Offensive and the too polite/unorganized/ un-united Republicans are always in a weak Defensive position. No way to win. The American taxpayer loses big time !
  
  Report this comment
- RaydocX
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:05am
  you’re both spot on, and the ‘instant’ social medias of twitter, facebook, tumblr and the like flood open and biased minds alike with unsourced glossy statements day in and day out…
  
  a strangely radicalized atheist Leftist friend… or former friend, though we are able to have ‘we agree to disagree’ discussions, every day posts at least 4 or 5 ‘republicans are mean’ posts… most recently trying to insist that 6 trillion of the new debt under BHO is ‘the republicans fault’. no data… no statistics… no source. But i find myself dissuading my kids of similar notions their friend post.
  
  Social media amplifies the Left’s tactic of ‘repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.’ It’s clearly the way Obama operates, witenessed by his statements while in Israel and the occupied territory…
  
  The only problem with such thinking is it may make the majority BELIEVE a lie is true, but the underlying inherent truth is not altered. Our economy isn’t better off… Global warming isn’t definite and definitely isn’t man made as primary cause… Palestinians will not be allowed to live peacefully with Israel by their own militants… the Second Amendment is NOT for hunting… Housing and Medicine and Food are not inherent rights to be guaranteed by the government.
  
  Believing those to be true does not make them so… it merely creates another generation of sheeple… fools willing to believe anything they are told, truth and facts be damned.
  
  Report this comment
Sargeking
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:08am
Whatever it takes to stop Obamacare, in whatever fashion, is a good thing. The bottom line with the UNAFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT, as well as gun control is to give the Libs NOTHING!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Grace1798
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:07am
Obama’s plan is to bankrupt this country. He’s happy because he’s doing it. We may move out of USA for a good long time. asap.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:23am
  That’s it , bale on your fellow patriots when they need you most. Go on, get out of here. How brave of you.
  
  Report this comment
Windozed
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:01am
Was anyone else distracted by the lady eating in back? I think she spilled something on herself

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
progressiveslayer
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:55am
Our one party system rearing it’s ugly head again folks and it won’t be long until the progs reach their nirvana of a single payer government health care for all. Think of it as one giant VA hospital where we can all go and die slowly.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- barber2
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:55am
  Yes. And we will soon have the same “quality” care as Cuba or the old USSR ! Viva Chavez !?
  
  Report this comment
Wigidy
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:55am
I remember when those property taxes took affect. In replacement, sales taxes were upped and my local government filled in the property tax cut by increasing their end. Coincidentally by the same percentage as the cut.
As far as the exchange, I’m confused on what approach is best. Whatever the strategy, we need uniformity with the other states.
In closing, I disagree with the governor…those from the blue states, “Stay the **ll out! Unless you adore freedom over security.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
dwf1
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:52am
Why? Power and Control, the new PC.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
freeberty
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:48am
Wow, it’s seems like the republican governors are trying to be as clever as the republican congressmen. Their motto seems to be “We’ll show Obama by voting for everything he wants, that’ll teach him a lesson”

At least the countries French fryers still have their king in good old Butch.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:45am
.
Just Say NO!!!!!…..

I wish the Hospitals & Doctors would GO ON STRIKE and put and end to this crap……

What difference would it make ObamaCare is gonna Kill you anyway…..

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:51am
  You won’t have to wait too long for doctors to quit because half the docs in this country are getting out of the business when that hellish law is fully implemented.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:54am
  POR: With doctors retiring or saying that they will ” not accept new patients,” Obama is putting seniors on the symbolic iceberg where they can drift off to no health care . Obama is ” redistributing” health care at a time when older taxpayers will suffer so that Obama’s base can get more ” free stuff.” Our radical Democrats are just a French Revolution redux using a slow redistribution in place of a fast guillotine . The radical Democrats hate ” the rich who don’t pay their fair share .” The ” rich” are Obama’s new jews – the scapegoats for unifying their angry base.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:44am
So how many threats did Obama make against him and his family to coerce him to change his ways and mind in the end?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
allensmithee789
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:40am
The word principled and politician have only a few letters and no meaning in common. How sad?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Gonzo
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:35am
Republican governors have been placed in a precarious situation and it is no coincidence. Every piece of legislation this administration has passed involves a political calculation designed to demonize it’s opposition.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:53am
  GONZO, So true, but we still need some true RED blooded Republicans to at least be willing to fall on their swords for the good of their state and the nation. Giving in is just more CYA for his political job.
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:06am
  RJ I’m not a defeatist by any measure but I’m a realist and SCOTUS has ruled,I think improperly of course but they upheld that hellish law. No the only answer now is to let the system fail and it will fail because of cost alone,it’ll bankrupt us. One of my favorite quotes is appropriate here.
  
  If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.
  
  Milton Friedman
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:12am
  R.J. my governor is refusing and I’m glad, but it’s going to blow out state budgets all over the country.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 2:16pm
  We can b#tch and moan all we want to but the reality is the only way Obamacare gets repealed is with a GOP congress and President in place together.
  It is my belief that Obamacare as it gets fully implemented in 2014 will be a disaster and even more unpopular than it is now. And just wait for the Roberts Tax to hit the LoFoVo’s who think they don’t need to be insured. The only people who’ll want it to remain will be those not paying into medicaid and quite honestly, their protests to preserve it won’t be enough. Already physicians are seeing Obamacare forcing preventative procedures like mamograms and paps begin to have longer waits between exams. What was once a year between exams will now be 18 months, then 24. The quality of medicine will go down as a result, people will die as a result because the bottom line with Obamacare is cost. Quality of care will not concern the panels it creates. The left is counting on the usual canard..”it’s hard to take away something once you’ve given it” but in this case, what you’ve been given is terrible.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 2:20pm
  Let it GONZO..let’s let Obamacare “Cloward Piven” itself. The premise with Cloward Piven is to overload a system so it collapses..ok..let’s employ the left’s own tactic. Destroy Obamacare using it’s own cost to do it.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.