Suburban woman says Idaho Gubernatorial candidate was a 'bad boyfriend'

Will allegations of being a "bad boyfriend" bring down this Idaho gubernatorial candidate?

The Idaho Gubernatorial election isn't until 2010, but a Chicago suburban woman is about to launch the first attack ad.

The woman, whose lawyers have advised us to call her Girlfriend X, claims that she dated W. Lane Startin, Democratic candidate for Idaho governor, when he lived in the Chicago area in the late 90s.  Her lawyers say that when she heard about his candidacy, she had to reply.

The Babbler obtained an exclusive copy of her ad, which will be on YouTube this August.  X, who will reveal herself in August, says this about Startin.

"People of Idaho.  Choosing a governor is like choosing someone to date for four years.  You need to know all the facts before making this important commitment.  When Lane lived in Chicago, I dated him.  Lane was a bad boyfriend.  If he can't be a good boyfriend, how can he be a good governor?  For more information, go to (address withheld) and learn the truth.  This ad paid for by Ex-girlfriends for Good Government.  Because bad boyfriends shouldn't be in government."

Girlfriend X refused to be quoted for this article, but her comments suggest that Startin and her simply grew apart.  It should also be noted that Startin is now married and has a daughter. 

The creator of the Ad, Jason E. Lunger of Chicago's Lunger Consulting, says while the relationship may have been normal, he thinks it will still be a problem for Startin.

"Our initial numbers suggest that many rural Idaho residents spend their entire lives in the state and marry their high school sweethearts.  So if it's revealed that he dated someone after high school in another state, they are going to consider it quite a scandal."  Said Lunger. 

Lunger also admitted who was really behind the campaign.  "Since I'm new to this, I don't know if I should tell you this.  Anyway, the group was formed by Idaho Democrats who are thinking about running for governor, but don't want to declare right now.  They were really mad when Lane announced his committee three years before the election.  They don't want to be on the campaign trail that long.  So they formed this group to counter his campaign.  Plus they got a little funding from the Security Democrats Caucus."

Startin, however, may be planning a counterattack.  The Babbler obtained a script for a rebuttal ad, loosely inspired on his current YouTube ad.  In this alleged new ad, Startin stands in front of a camera.

Startin: Hello.  As you have now heard, my critics have launched some vary harsh ads against me.  Now if they thought they could hurt me with these unbelievable attacks, they were wrong.  But did they stop to think about (Picks up daughter) my family?  Now I come from a Christian tradition, and I am required to forgive my opponents.  And I hope you will too.  Then during the 2010 primary, I hope you will do the right thing, and send a powerful message to my opponents.

Evelyn:  I love you daddy.

Startin Logo

No one from the Startin campaign would comment for this article, but a pro Startin blogger did release this statement:

"I'm sure Lane fails to see the problem here.  Once people realize that he's the smartest man in Idaho, the voters would be fools not to elect him.  He is a Mensa member after all."

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