From Deseret News archives:
Candidate Swallow chokes on part of the GOP platform
Out of the 98-page national Republican Party platform adopted this week at the party's convention in New York City, Swallow says he really only has a serious disagreement with one plank.
The 2nd District Republican candidate doesn't like President Bush's No Child Left Behind education testing/funding program, believing education should be a state and local school board issue that the federal government doesn't meddle in.
But besides that and a few shades of disagreements over immigration and the budget with a GOP majority in Congress that he says is "spending too much" Swallow walks the platform line.
But he doesn't see it that way.
"I will not following lockstep with any national platform or party. I'll follow my conscience. And I believe I'll vote the conscience of my district; I think I represent their values," said Swallow.
Having said that, Swallow also said he agrees with nearly all of the GOP national platform.
Likewise, Swallow didn't attend his party's convention, which ends tonight in New York City's Madison Square Garden. Both candidates are in a tight race and said their time would be better spent campaigning.
Swallow said he had only "quickly reviewed" his party's lengthy platform. He agrees with several planks that have already been criticized by Democrats; called by some moderate Republicans as too conservative.
For example, Swallow agrees with the national platform's call for a federal constitutional amendment to protect a "traditional marriage" between a man and a woman. He said he'll also vote for Amendment 3 on the Utah ballot this November, which would change the state constitution to outlaw same-sex marriages.
He likes the "pro-life" plank in the national platform.
Swallow also supports Bush's platform stand on stem-cell research, and so falls counter to the broader stem cell research advocated by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and gubernatorial GOP candidate Jon Huntsman Jr.
While Swallow supports a federal constitutional amendment on marriage, he said he didn't know enough about the no-flag-burning amendment to take a stand. (Hatch has sponsored a flag desecration amendment for years and the platform endorses it.)
By and large, Swallow said he doesn't like constitutional amendments, even though national Republicans call for several.
Comments
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- $47B in suspect Medicare claims 11:11 a.m.
- 3 dead in Reno helicopter crash 11:02 a.m.
- Galaxy headed to MLS Cup 10:45 a.m.
- Veteran climber dies in Himalayas 10:36 a.m.
- Slovakia beats U.S. 1-0 10:30 a.m.
- Suicide attack kills 11 in Pakistan 10:28 a.m.
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- D-Will home for daughter
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
351 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
117 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
AMERICANS have two plans from which to choose. The DEMOCRAT plan or ...
If Science is prostituted, what makes these people tick?. Is this also called...
An 80 year old getting chemotherapy... The basis for a patient qualifing...
I really don`t expect to win at Cleveland,but lets go in and give em all...
I have first hand witnessed kids in my neighborhood teasing my dogs when I...
With all the money "Brother Alamo" I can not remember his original name...
Tanner hinds is a stud running back and a great kid! My daughter is a...
My wife and I knew Cory while he was at BYU. From the moment you met him you...
Governor Herbert says he's going to gut state programs. I hope this isn't one...
Good job, now there will be a medical marijuana dispensary that will not have...


You can be the first to comment on this story.