Idaho just hosted the best political debate of the year

Republican gubernatorial candidates in Idaho debated Wednesday night in what turned into one of the most entertaining political events in recent memory.

The sitting governor of Idaho, Republican Butch Otter, has three challengers: Russ Fulcher, a Republican state senator; Harley Brown, a veteran and leather-clad biker; and Walt Bayes, a homeschool activist who says he spent time in jail for his religous beliefs.

Otter insisted that all of them have an opportunity to debate him.

Here are some of the many of the highlights of the evening...

Brown's opening statement Wednesday started out strong.

"Don’t think I’m crazy. Because I’m not.”

Then Bayes introduced himself. 

“I went to jail for homeschooling," he said. "I’ve got 77 descendants.”

The debate turned to the topic of discrimination.

Brown offered his thoughts on gay marriage.

"I used to drive taxis in Boise for 20 years at night and I’ve picked up my fair share of the gay community," Brown said. "And they have true love for one another. I’m telling you, they love each other more than I love my motorcycle. And I’ll tell you, they’re just as American as a Medal of Honor winner. Liberty and justice for all, equal protection under the law, I’m glad the judge made that decision. I’m glad that they want to get married and live like that. I know I’m not really talking like a Republican.”

Bayes disagreed. Then he started reading the New Testament.

That's when Brown really let loose.

“A substantial portion of my political campaign is to campaign against political correctness," he said. "Those 'Harleyisms' as I call them, I had a warning on there that you might find it offensive. I hit everybody: Jews, Polish people, Irish, Italians, religious jokes and black jokes.… We took the real hardcore zingers out.… I don’t like political correctness! Can I say this? It’s bondage! I’m about as politically correct as your proverbial turd in a punchbowl."

The debate turned to the subject of wolf hunting. Bayes couldn't care less if you know that he thinks the law is stupid.

"I did kill a wolf," Brown admitted. "While it was still an endangered species!"

The moderators moved on to taxes. Which prompted Brown to go on a rant about federal control of Idaho land.

Said Brown: “The key is getting our land back from the feds. And here’s my plan of attack. The three best men for the mission are myself as governor,  because I’ve got a master’s in raising hell. ... Here’s my plan of attack, OK? You go in there and you use spiritual warfare. Everybody talks about the natural, but I want to talk about the other realm we exist in. You bind those evil spirits that are behind the feds with the blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus and the power of entombment of the Holy Spirit, the power of agreement, the word of God. Take air superiority and then roll in with your tanks on your ground….Blitzkrieg!

A moderator interrupted him.

“Mr. Brown? The question was about taxes.”

Oh, the governor of Idaho was there, as well as a state senator. They also made some strong points. Probably.

You simply must watch the whole thing: