Wednesday's GOP gubernatorial primary debate in Idaho should carry a disclaimer: NOT a Saturday Night Live skit.
It was that amazing.
And it had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict between tea party and the Republican establishment.
In fact, the sober-suited Gov. Butch Otter, running for a third term, and his tea party challenger, state Sen. Russ Fulcher, were largely relegated to serving as bemused bystanders as the proceedings were happily hijacked by two highly entertaining, long-shot candidates.
There was Walt Bayes, a full-bearded Santa Claus lookalike and abortion opponent who's the father of 16, and Harley Brown, a leather-clad biker with a pocketful of cigars, a history of being slapped with restraining orders and, according to him, a direct line to God.
(The Almighty allegedly wanted Brown, who has a "master's in raising hell," to run for president.)
"I'm about as politically correct as your proverbial turd in a punch bowl," Brown explained.
As you watch highlights here, give thanks to Otter, who made sure Bayes and Brown got their moment on the stage by insisting on their presence at the debate. We all owe the governor a debt of gratitude.
Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/
