In Idaho, A Debate Like You've Never Seen Before

by Liz Halloran

May 15, 2014 2:50 PM ET

Wednesday's GOP gubernatorial primary debate in Idaho should carry a disclaimer: NOT a Saturday Night Live skit.

It was that amazing.

And it had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict between the Tea Party and the Republican establishment.

In fact, the sober-suited Gov. Butch Otter, running for a third term, and his Tea Party challenger, state Sen. Russ Fulcher, were largely relegated to serving as bemused bystanders as the proceedings were happily hijacked by two highly entertaining, long-shot candidates.

There was Walt Bayes, a full-bearded Santa Claus look-alike and abortion opponent, who's the father of 16, and Harley Brown, a leather-clad biker with a pocketful of cigars, a history of being slapped with restraining orders and, according to him, a direct line to God.

(The Almighty allegedly wanted Brown, who has a "master's in raising hell," to run for president.)