3rd District foes trade blows

PROVO — With a week left in their bid to unseat six-term Utah Congressman Chris Cannon, Jason Chaffetz, David Leavitt and Joe Ferguson threw some haymakers at the incumbent during a debate Saturday in Provo.

Chaffetz even threw a couple of roundhouse rights at Sen. Orrin Hatch and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., to the delight of most in the audience of more than 100 delegates to next weekend's state Republican convention.

Chaffetz, Leavitt and Ferguson said Utah and the state's 3rd Congressional District do get some benefit from Cannon's seniority in Congress, but all three said he'd made enough missteps that he should be replaced.

"Seniority does not necessarily equal influence," said Chaffetz, who then criticized Hatch for being unable to move Congress toward passing an immigration reform bill this year. Chaffetz said he was "terribly frustrated" when Hatch told the state Legislature in February that reform would have to wait another year. Hatch is in his 32nd year in the U.S. Senate.

"Why are we sending you back for Year 34 if you can't get this issue moving?" Chaffetz said.

Chaffetz also chided Huntsman, his old boss, for embracing global warming. Chaffetz was Huntsman's campaign manager and first chief of staff.

"Note to Jon Huntsman," Chaffetz said. "Global warming? It's a farce."

Recent comments

• Story photo

• Most Popular
• Most Commented

1. BYU football: Cougars preparing for productive New Mexico ground game
2. Utah Jazz: Sloan rips Jazz intensity in loss
3. Shame on LDS Church
4. Utah Jazz: Sloan says this season's team is his most talented
5. High school football: Felt's Facts — Week 8
6. Grand opening, but ... Real Salt Lake fails to make up ground in MLS playoff push
7. MormonTimes.com: Y. law professor details Book of Mormon, Old Testament legal parallels
8. Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field
9. You've got to have faith in ABC's 'Eli Stone'
10. Real Salt Lake fans get a kick out of Rio Tinto Stadium

1. Shame on LDS Church 356
2. LDS Church urges pro-Proposition 8 calls 264
3. Calls about Prop. 8 not imminent 210
4. High school football: Top 25 188
5. Sparks fly over lousy economy 164
6. BYU football: Cougars slip a spot in rankings 148
7. Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field 144
8. Hats off to Sakoda, Rams, Aggies, Cougs 117
9. Details on new LDS temples revealed 99
10. LDS general conference: Stand fast, love others 96
11. (Stories published in the last five days with the most comments)

• A & E
• LDS news
• Sports