Phenneger Announces Bid for U.S. Senate
POST FALLS - Based on a new poll, 79% of Idaho voters want a new face representing them in the U.S. Senate, says businessman Richard E. Phenneger in announcing his bid for the senate seat. Phenneger, who will run for Republican U.S. Senator, is the founder and President of Phenneger & Associates, Inc., an Idaho consulting firm that specializes in design, finance, implementation and administration of highly leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plans for clients throughout the United States
Phenneger decided to run for Idaho Senator, following the results of an independent comprehensive study of the opinions of the people of Idaho, conducted by Robinson Research in December of 2007. The study identified that:
- 80% were not satisfied with the ethical standards observed in DC.
- 87% were not satisfied with the levels of accountability in DC.
- Only 21% were happy with Jim Risch and Larry LaRocco being the major party candidates for the U.S. Senate.
- Only 21% believed that the State Chapters of major political parties should pick and endorse candidates before the primary election takes place.
- Honesty and Integrity were the two most important character traits Idahoans wanted in their Senate candidate. Ethical Conduct was third.
- Regarding personality traits, Honesty, Integrity and Listening to Voters were the top three.
- The top three concerns regarding the direction the U.S. is heading were: (a) Losing in Iraq, (b) Political corruption, and (c) The economy.
- The most important issues for which Idaho’s Senators must take a strong stand are: (a) Water rights, (b) Illegal Aliens, (c) Water pollution and (d) Education. Health care costs and political corruption were next in line.
In 1990, Phenneger began mentoring young men of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity in the Northwest, emphasizing the fraternity’s core values of ethics and accountability. Phenneger also noticed that these same traits existed among the successful small-business owners he worked with. “They were always solid, ethical people,” Phenneger said.
“I kept looking at Washington DC and was seeing example after example of the lack of accountability and ethics … at least that I observed,” he said.
“That’s when it came to mind that if business people like myself aren’t willing to step forward and go to Washington DC, and aren’t willing to do something when we know something is wrong there, then we’re not using the talents the Lord has given us. That’s when I started thinking I should run,” Phenneger said.
“How can I sit here and teach ethics and accountability and not try to do something about what’s going on back there?” Phenneger said.
“Idaho needs a Senator who will first commit himself to re-establish and uphold the concepts of integrity and accountability before any of the many problems facing Idaho and the United States can be addressed and solved,” he said.
“Until now, not one candidate has taken the time to find out what Idahoans think and want going forward,” Phenneger said. Phenneger commissioned the recent poll.
If elected, Phenneger pledged to be guided by the following vision statement: [I envision] “That I will be a senator that operates with indisputable integrity, founded on morals that come from an unquenchable belief in God; A government that is fully accountable, that excites all citizens to be engaged rather than disengaged with our democratic process; A government that exalts the values of our forefathers.”
“The first task is to re-establish principles of integrity, ethics and accountability in government operations and eliminate the systemic corruption that currently exists,” Phenneger said. “Once this is done, ANY problem can be solved by men and women who espouse these principles. Without these principles being firmly in place, you will never get responsible solutions to the very difficult problems this Nation faces, such as immigration, social security and the war on terror,” Phenneger said.
“Currently, over half of the U.S. senators are attorneys,” he said. “This is an imbalance that needs to be corrected.” Phenneger said.
Phenneger is one of the Northwest’s most recognized leaders in helping to keep companies locally owned. For over 30 years, Phenneger has been in the business of bringing management, labor unions and employees together to solve difficult problems. “When there is trust you can solve any problem,” Phenneger said. For the last 17 years he has been mentoring young college students throughout the Northwest in ethics and accountability.
Mike Marquardt Says:
January 7th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
We need to get back to basics. We need to recognize what made this country great (God) and go back to our roots as a Christian nation.
I believe this can only be accomplished by voting in Godly men and women into office. Men like Richard Phenneger who aren’t afraid to do the right thing.
Christopher Judd Says:
January 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Not only is our Country continuing its downward spiral, the rate of decay is accelerating. Ethics, Integrity & Values, the ideals on which many potential leaders attempt to base their campaigns, are becoming increasingly rare. Rarer still are those individuals which utilize these benchmark traits throughout every aspect of their lives.
Richard Phenneger has proven time and time again that there is no substitute for these core values. He is a man of the highest ethical standards. I look forward to a much needed change within our Government.
Mike Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Looks like yet another token candidate who has no chance of winning the nomination. Why doesn’t somebody explain how he’s going to beat Jim Risch?
Erv Johnson Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Congrats Dick. I look forward to voting for you, brother.
-kai-Erv Johnson
Richard Phenneger Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Mike,
First I apologize for being late in responding to you. Your comment sums up the helplessness many Idahoans feel, who have been disenfranchised by the ongoing cycle of career politicians. I too have lost confidence in many of those who are supposed to represent us. And I can no longer sit on the sideline and not try to do something about it. And, I can assure you that mine is far from a token effort.
But how can we win? It takes very hard work. I am fully aware of that as I travel the state getting our message out, trying to galvanize voters who share our vision for change. It seems that we have struck a vein and are reaching a consensus among voters like yourself, who are tired of the same old song and dance and are embracing the opportunity for change.
We need politicians who demand ethics and accountability and walk the talk, have a record of bringing divergent groups together, are honest and accountable for their actions and never forget that their position is the ultimate roll of servitude.
We are facing an uphill battle, but my supporters and I have an indelible belief that what we are fighting for is right. And that energy and conviction is translating into results and attracting attention. And that fuels our commitment toward the goal.
I hope that this helps answer your question and invite you to join the quest to make our vision a reality.
Jared Nichols Says:
February 4th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I am inspired by your vision now, as I was in 1992, when you began mentoring me at the collegiate level. If I could speak to all the residents of Idaho, it would be to say that without a doubt, you are the right man for the job. Bringing people together to find solutions is what you have always done, and taught. Your leadership is needed.
Lee M. Spencer Says:
March 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Brother Betas,
I am disapointed but not surprised by Mr. Phenneger calling Winston Churchill one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.
Here’s a history lesson they don’t teach you in school. By the end of the First World War, Britian was greatly weakened, and they were considering how they were going to continue to run Asia, now that they didn’t have the military force to actully occupy it.
The suggestion was to use air power to attack civilians. Churchill thought this didn’t go far enough. He was in favor of using poison gas “against recalcitrant Arabs.” Not really Arabs, they were talking about Kurds and Afghans, but by racist standards, anybody you want to kill is an Arab.
At the time, poison gas was the ultimate atrocity. It was the worst thing you could imagine. Let me quote Mr. Phenneger’s hero Churchill on this subject:
“I do not understand this squemishness about the use of gas…I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against incivilised tribes.”
There were many great leaders in the 20th century, such as Mandela, Ghandi, King, Chomsky, ect. who stood up for the victims of atrocities committed by people like Churchill. Wouldn’t these be better people to admire?
Yours in —kai–, Lee M. Spencer
David Says:
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I have heard from many different Idahoans…politicians, lawyers, businessmen, young adults, and so on. that they wish and seek change. But at the same time, I have heard from the same people, “I didnt vote”, or “Im not voting”. I say to these people, that if they are not willing to stand up and take their freedom and use it, then tyranny and freedom will be on the shoulders of a few people.
Those that seek change, this here is an opportunity to make change, not change to the wrong, not change away from what this great country was and still is in many ways, but what America was, here is a man that has given the ultimate sacrifice so that Idahoans and Americans can be free. Do not let his sacrifice be in vain by not voting. and more importantly do not let his sacrifice be in vain for not voting for a man that will fix this country and Get it on its original roots.
Phenneger has served in the military, ask his opponents if they ever gave the ulimate sacrifice as Phenneger has.
According to a new poll; almost 50% of Idahoans do not even know of the candidates;therefore if you want to honor and respect this country take up your DUTY of being engaged in the political process and tell at least 20 people about Phenneger. Then challenge them to do the same.
Perhaps I may help Mike in his question…its the snowball effect. If you vote and support for Phenneger and I vote and support Phenneger and ask at least 20 other people to vote and support Phenneger and those 20 people do the same soon you will have everybody. But it takes some effort, if you want change you have to do it and make some effort. God Bless.
Joy Compton Says:
April 15th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I think the only real chance this country has at this point is to replace as many entrenched career politicians as possible. I am a Conservative and proud of my pioneer heritage in southern Idaho. The extent of corruption at all levels of government, local, state and federal, which is now apparent, cries for new office holders wherever there is an opportunity and an honest and honorable person willing to SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NOT THEIR OWN. Perhaps Mr. Phenneger is such a person, but it takes a giant leap of faith for a critical thinking voter to beleive in anyone, anymore.
Mike Says:
April 16th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I totally agree with David, I’ll be voting for Phenneger in May 27th and will encourage everyone I know to do the same. At the same time I saw this article http://www.idahostatesman.com/idahopolitics/story/353336.html today in the statesman that didn’t even mention Phenneger. It mostly talked about how much Risch has raised up to this point, nearly a million dollars! Risch is making this look easy, all he has to do is stand up and talk about “change” for a min or so and people donate to him since he’s the anointed candidate. I’m afraid that come November the only real conservative will not be Phenneger, but will be Rex Rammell, and it doesn’t look like he’s doing very well with raising money either. Any thoughts?
Jeff Hoopes Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I am sitting here looking over all the candidates. I come to Phenneger’s site, and am told to check his blog for frequent “updates.” There are two posts, both over 4 months old. If someone cant update a blog regularly, or keep a promise to do so, how in heaven’s name can he accomplish anything in Washington? Richard, I would appreciate any comments you might have on the lack of new posts to this blog.
Ernie Prigge Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Seems to me there was a guy named Wilberforce in England a long time ago who was constantly told he couldn’t win either? If you don’t try, you never lose, but then don’t expect things to ever get better. If we can all at least agree to start trying to take our country back with honorable men like Mr. Phenneger, then we have a chance , otherwise hope is “just words”.
Jean Wild Says:
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:01 am
everyone says the same without real solutions.
We are strong supporters of THE FAIR TAX as stated in bill HR 25.
We feel that this inclusive tax would fund all of the solutions that everyone whines about but be very sure when looking at this FAIR TAX that you know the difference between inclusive and exclusive.
What say you?
Richard Phenneger Says:
May 4th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Jeff,
You correctly identified a problem with my website. Following postings were not entered. Number one will posted by the end of day tomorrow. The rest will be posted later in the week. Number one is such a serious issue that I am having it posted first:
1. The “Betrayal of Trust” of our National Guard and Reserves returning from the battle fields in Iraq and Afghanistan (”If you send them to war then you must take care of them when they return home - or don’t send them in the first place.”)
2. Exposing Lt. Gov. Risch’s Tax Relieve Package as being a Tax Shift of millions of dollars to hundreds of thousands of Idahoans.
3. Latest scientific studies on the movement of salmon through our Snake River Dams.
Other issues currently being studied will follow.