New York Times columnist Gail Collins has put forth another option for Republican seeking an alternative to the current field of presidential candidates.
Ms. Collins, writing in her weekly column for the New York Times, has put forth Idaho Republican governor Butch Otter as a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination
“The Republicans are running out of governors to put up against Romney. This week the cry has been for Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey to get into the race, although I am personally rooting for Gov. Butch Otter of Idaho because of his strong record of fiscal conservatism and the fact that I really enjoy writing ‘Butch Otter’ over and over and over,” Ms. Collins wrote Saturday.
Mr. Otter, a Republican, has yet to comment on the story. Mr. Otter’s name is the latest to pop up on the radar as Republican voters continue to express discontent with the current field of candidates. A number of political analysts and news media have speculated that New Jersey Republican governor Chris Christie may enter the 2012 race. Mr. Christie, a rising star of the Republican Party, has repeatedly denied any interest in entering the race.
The Idaho Republican announced earlier this month that he would accept federal funding related to President Obama’s health care law. Mr. Otter has vocally opposed Mr. Obama’s health care law, saying states should remain tasked with creating statewide health care systems. In a statement, Mr. Otter said the decision was “a difficult choice, but one I find far preferable to submitting to a federally established insurance exchange.”
