Hart fundraiser in Cd'A attracts about 40

COEUR d'ALENE - Surrounded by historic firearms and old guitars, Rep. Phil Hart welcomed friends and supporters to a fundraiser at Northwest Pony Express on Saturday night.

Owned by Joe Ellithorpe, the shop at U.S. 95 and Canfield Avenue hosted close to 40 people.

"Joe and I have been friends for about a year," said Hart, who represents District 3 and lives in Athol. "We share some of the same views on things. I've got some extra expenses lately. He said, 'Hey, let me help you out.'"

In recent months, Hart has clashed with the IRS over tax issues and faced scrutiny from a House ethics committee. His troubles have been well-documented.

"I believe he's been improperly dealt with, and I just want to support him, because it's costing a lot," said Cornel Raisor, a Bonner County commissioner and friend of Hart's. "He's an honest man. To have all of his business deductions disallowed (an IRS penalty) ... I have a business and I couldn't survive."

Hart addressed the visitors and passed out copies of his book, "Constitutional Income." He said the turnout was greater than he had expected.

"It's something that we as the voting public, we who are caring about the future of our country and our state, need to do something," Ellithorpe said of the fundraiser.

Hart said his position as legislator has opened his life up to public scrutiny. His experiences might even affect candidate qualifications in the future, he said.

The congressman also remarked on the current legislative session in Boise.

"We have budget deficits, that's on everybody's mind," Hart said. "But there's also a mood of sticking up for our state."

He was referring to lawmakers' efforts to nullify President Obama's health care plan in Idaho.