just got back from fishing Idaho steelhead. Did OK. While talking to several locals I found out that the salmon run on the snake was the best this year since 1938. I don't think the dams were there in 1938. I have not heard anything from any GOP campaign about Slade being considered and think that this is probably not accurate. If it is accurate however, I would hope that Slade declines and lobbies for a spot on Indian affairs. I am not sure that slade would be the right person for interior. I think my vote would go to Lou Guzzo of Dixie fame. I also noticed that every farm between the cascades and heller bar on the snake had a Slade poster if anything. Not just the "rich" farmers but all of them. I still find it curious that the folks on the west side of the state are so willing to sacrifice the livlihoods and communities of the east side of the state when rarely do many of you go fish there. If the dams are killing the runs, why do I see Cowlitz river guides at heller bar every year. I can't think of any puget sound or oly pen river that is affected by the lower snake dams. Nearly every community on the east side is, however, affected by them. The lewiston-clarkston area is the steelhead capitol of the land and the people there don't want the dams gone so why do you villify Slade for listening to the folks on the east side? I think Slade agrees with the conservative view more often than not which makes him preferable to the opposition and if he wins will probably not be asked to take an interior job. The chances of replacing him with a republican vote in the senate (which Bush will need) is slim to none and both of them know that. The interior post will be offered to someone who will not damage the GOP position legislatively and you should all know that by now. Politics is and always will be about what is probable not possible. Regards,

P.S. Hooked and landed a fairly new 9.8 merc outboard in about 4 ft of water. Didn't fight much but I bonked it and headed for the launch.