When a politician starts off denying he has a conflict of interest in a matter, it's because he can't see it. For everyone else, it's a conflict too obvious to ignore.

Such was the case recently when Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, launched into a tirade against Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Tony McDermott of Sagle. McDermott, who represents the Panhandle, was up for a confirmation vote. In the end, Siddoway, himself a former member of the Fish and Game Commission, persuaded nine of his colleagues to join him - including Lee Heinrich, R-Cascade - but McDermott was confirmed.

Siddoway contends Fish and Game's wolf hunting quota of 220 was too low.

Siddoway is a sheep rancher.

"My objection has nothing to do with me being a rancher," said Siddoway. "It has everything to do with the responsibility a Fish and Game commissioner has . . . for the benefit of the hunters and fishermen of this state." -Copyright © 2010 Lewiston Morning Tribune