(Editor's note: An earlier version of this column misstated Gov. Butch Otter's birth order in the sixth paragraph.)

The Idaho House is taking a four-day weekend, but there are no signals Gov. Butch Otter will grant them their wish to end to the second-longest session ever.

As long as the Senate sticks with Otter, stalemate continues. The House will be back Monday, because the Constitution requires it.

The only difference? Representatives' wallets will be fattened by four more days of per diem collected for four days of leisure, at $49 a day for those living nearby and $122 a day for those with a second residence.

Otter knows the politics of the moment argue stoutly against a fuel tax increase during a recession. But his core tells him it's his duty to lead for the long term. He won't quit trying to raise new money to maintain roads and bridges.

Make no mistake: Otter has the mettle to withstand whatever the House throws his way.

The sixth of nine children and the son of a union electrician, Otter was a middling student. But he graduated from college and married the daughter of the richest man in the state.

He accomplished his dream to be governor by overcoming an embarrassing DUI conviction, followed by a divorce. He spent six years battling the federal government over his carving a lake on his property near the Boise River and wound up paying a big fine. He got elected to Congress and then outfoxed Jim Risch, scaring Risch off from challenging Otter for governor in 2006.

"There is no doubt the governor is a survivor," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John McGee, R-Caldwell.

I've covered Otter since 1987, when he began the first of his four terms as lieutenant governor. When I was recovering from my own divorce in 2001, Otter sat me down for coffee. He told me that setbacks are overcome by adjusting to the new reality, using the metaphor of a right-handed person suddenly having to rely on the weaker hand.

Not long afterward, Otter sent an autographed portrait with a reminder: "Fortune always favors the bold! Even if you're left-handed!"

The Senate still has his back, in part because 21 of 28 Republicans already voted for a 6-cent-per-gallon fuel tax increase.

This session has deepened the divide between the House and Senate, particularly between the strongest personalities on both sides - House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis of Idaho Falls.

Davis sees no sign of weakness: "I saw no erosion in the position of the governor," Davis said, after meeting with Otter Wednesday.

Moyle and Otter have been nose-to-nose this session, voices raised behind closed doors, a tribute to mutual boldness. Otter chewed out Moyle for his role in unseating Otter's choice for GOP chairman last summer, a wound that still stings.

Moyle acknowledges the transportation fight is harming his party's leader, but insists he will back Otter for re-election next year. "Hell yeah, I'm supporting Butch Otter," Moyle said. "I lose sleep at night because Butch is my friend. But this is where my caucus is at, this is where the House is at, this is where I am at. We're not going to raise fuel taxes this year."

McGee said the House's latest offer - $25 million to $30 million in new revenue and an interim study committee - falls short of what Otter and the Senate need.

"I look forward to working with the House next week," McGee said.

Otter's office issued a statement saying he appreciated the House getting "about one-third of the way to where we need to go" and reiterating his call for at least $75 million.

House members took pleasure in the rough treatment Otter got Tuesday when he held Capitol for a Day in Midvale. He got an earful about federal matters largely beyond his control and heard little support for raising fuel taxes.

"I think the governor got that message (Tuesday) when he was in Midvale," said House GOP Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts of McCall.

I was in Midvale. The House is making too much of the event. Otter mixed it up joyfully. He came away invigorated, not deflated.

This is a guy who's been arm-twisted by Dick Cheney. He can handle the House.

The only way that changes is if the Senate abandons Otter. If that happens, the right-handed Otter will switch to his left and let the Legislature go.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438