Don't miss Friday night's main attraction

In dis cornah, weighin’ in at 41,917 pounds, from all over Nort Idaho, they’re anyting but invisible, IN DE VISIBLE!

And in dis cornah, weighin’ in at 209 pounds, from Carolina, Puerto Rico, da Freedom Caucus Crushah, Ra-oooooool LA BRA DOOOOOR!

Yep: The Friday Night Fights are coming to town. Fellow Republicans will no doubt be cheering their champion, 1st District Rep. Raul Labrador, during the congressman’s town-hall-throwdown that begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Lake City High School auditorium. But Vegas is giving 9-to-1 odds that at least one-third of da joint will be filled with full-throated Indivisible members rooting wildly for anybody not named Labrador or Trump.

There was some unbridled and at times uncivil exuberance unleashed Monday night during a local town hall undercard, but excitement like this we haven’t seen since Labrador’s predecessor, Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick, braved a storm of 600 strong at North Idaho College during a tempestuous town hall Aug. 25, 2009. The event, moderated by the fellow who’s writing this editorial, focused largely on then-President Obama’s controversial health care proposal. With just a few exceptions, the crowd was respectful and fully engaged. And that’s why we’re hoping for a repeat this time around.

If you’ll recall, a number of duly elected Democrats took their mouths and ears to their constituents back then, and it was not unusual for a member of Congress to get shouted down by furious folk. That’s no way for citizens to behave. Similar verbal assaults are happening now.

They happened a couple of times Monday night, and they happened on April 18, when Labrador dipped his toe into the frothy Meridian wake of citizens feeling like they’re swimming against a strong Trump current. That town hall was described by the Meridian Press as “loud, passionate and sometimes ornery.”

Ornery: OK. Obnoxious: Not OK.

Speaking assertively: OK. Shouting and interrupting: Not OK.

Before this Friday night’s featured event, there are a couple things visitors should probably know.

First, “mealy-mouthed” is not an apt description of Labrador. He has a pugilist’s heart, and in more than one editorial board meeting with the Coeur d’Alene Press he hasn’t hesitated to uncork a little of his own passion. He’s nobody’s sissy and he’s not going to be cowed or intimidated by any individual or group.

The other is that Republicans have openly welcomed Indivisible and anyone else in District 1 to join the fun. That’s what good governance should be all about.

In our view, Labrador, who’s widely expected to run next year for governor, deserves respect for his willingness to speak with and listen to his constituents of all stripes.

Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch do a good job for Idaho, but neither has dared tread where Labrador will boldly walk Friday night. In contrast, he’s making them look like political lightweights.