Reader comments
Wanted: Someone to take on Matheson

Winston Wilkinson | 6:05 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Matheson might get a pass in 2008 but I can assure you he will not get one in 2010.

half-finger | 7:27 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I agree with Wilkinson but I think it will change in 2012. I think it will take someone from Dixie to beat him and I think they're just waiting till the fourth seat comes. He would be gone if they had got him in 2002. He only won by about 1500. The next time, they didn't run a good campaign. He's done just enough to mollify the conservatives in the district. They're not outraged enough to vote him out so he loses in Republican counties but the margin isn't high enough to offset his support in liberal Salt Lake. I notice he's been pretty quiet about the voucher issue.

TX GOP | 7:47 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I'm not sure a US congressman needs to have an public opinion about a state voucher issue.

Comments continue below

Pubber #1 | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I'll take him on. butt i am sure that IHC and others will back him with their endless supplies of money. gotta have money to fight the good fight unfortunately. the political arena in the US has been and always will be UP FOR SALE.

Supporter | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Or it could be that not all Utahns vote as blindly as the GOP would like. I generally vote Republican. I voted for Matheson because he was the right candidate, not because of his party.

Amazed | 8:02 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Utah politics drive me nuts. How can people that are generally well-educated be so politically uninformed. Matheson is a US Congressman. US. United States. Why would he voice his opinion on a state voucher issue?

sob | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

the congressman has done a lot for many different groups and individuals in southern utah, especially veterans. as a viet nam combat and gulf war veteran i am glad to have him represent me, and agree that people should not reject or accept someone strictly based on party label. his father proved that as gov, wise up those of you who are rabid about not having a "republican" around.

mamapapaluv | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Matheson is safe. We have to remember that he's a Republican, having voted with the Bush people time and time again. He is a Democrat in name only. He really is a sheep in sheeps' clothing.

Smart Politician | 9:04 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Matheson is a very savvy politician. He has found a way to endear trust among Utahï¿½s by voting with Republicans just enough times to stand out from the Democratic pack. He has also played the sympathy card every time a Republican calls his positions in to question and it has worked to his credit. People see the criticism as being "dirty" politics, and in Utah especially, we don't like it when people play dirty.

I think Matheson is a shoe in for this election and unless he makes a major mistake, he's set for life.

Republicans are still frustrated by their party's lack of leadership during the majority years. Itï¿½s going to take some time for the conservatives to get over their frustration and become positively energized again.

Marcus | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Sure let Shurtleff run against Matheson. I would love to see the AG putz go down in flames, and Doug Wright.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! only in Utah. At least KSL would improve.

Outside Advisor | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

One thought is Dave Buhler. This assumes that he loses the Salt Lake City mayoral race, but not by much and does a good job campaining. He would have had time to build up name recognition, which seems to be the biggest thing to taking on any incumbent.

to: mamapapalu | 10:14 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Get some facts. A republican? I've interned in Washington for a Utah Rep. and I can tell you he is anything but a republican and he only votes with the Republicans on bills that are obviously going to fail or obviously going to pass.
A republican please. If you saw him back there you would never never never say that.

to: mamapapalu | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Seriously a Republican. Get some facts, view his voting record. I've interned in Washington for a Utah rep. I've seen him speak, vote, and work in commitee's and believe me he is no republican.
He only votes with the Republicans on bills that are obviously going to win or lose. Anything close and he follows the Democratic leadership.
He sells Utahn's out and than comes back with some comment like I had to cause this ammend. wasn't right or too much pork.
A smart politician he is. Two faced he is. But a republican or even a conservative.
He may talk conservative but he doesn't vote it. Check the voting record.

From a Vet | 11:28 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I'll take Matheson anytime over some of the past GOP folks we've had in the seat (Cook and Greene). Rep. Matheson's office helped me with a VA/military pay compensation matter and were terrific. I tend to vote GOP but after witnessing what Cannon has failed to do for the 3rd district, I am glad Matheson is representing Utah.

been there done that | 11:35 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Anyone familiar with past races quickly realizes that Matheson solidified his position through the fortune of being able to run twice against John Swallow. Swallow poor and negative approach may it much more difficult for anyone to take on Matheson. In other words, Matheson was vulnerable a few years ago but Swallow blew it with a heavy dose on incompetence.

To: to: mamapapaluv | 11:46 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

As a Utah Republican completely disgusted with the recent record of congressional republicans I'm glad Matheson is not acting like most republicans in DC.

I'll be happy to vote for Matheson again. He's done more for veterans than Bishop and Cannon combined not to mention is much more fiscally responsible.

swrl | 11:50 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

This guy is the only check to the totalitarian attitude of Utah puublic officials. The 5 or so Demos in the State races deserve some credit for declaring that they are demos, but as far as work product they have gotten rejection so much that all they can do is act like Uncle Tom.

Party System Sucks | 12:21 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I'm sure I'm outnumbered here but I think Matheson has done a great job representing this State, especially when you compare him to our other US reps and senators.

For at least six consecutive years he has opposed the automatic pay raises for Congress and despite being defeated every time, still opposes the measure. He has been donating his automatic raise to charity.

He has trust among Utahns because he has worked hard to earn it. And he actually takes the time to vote how he thinks is best for his constituents. Now that doesn't mean he's right 100% of the time, but at least he isn't just a party yes-man.

I hate our party system politics, but republicans are just mad because they couldn't get the 'evil' democrat out of office even after they restructured voting boundaries to clearly tip the playing field in their favor.

Bottom line: it's silly and fiscally irresponsible to just throw some last minute candidate into the race just to try and get someone with an 'R' next to their name into office.

Attitude adjustment | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

@ Swrl.

Our society is built on a principle known as Social Contract. Wiki it if you are unfamiliar with this Founding Father Principle.

Essentially one point of Social Contract is that if you don't like the laws of the area that you live in then you leave the are and settle in an area where you agree with the laws. So if you really think Utah has a totalitarian attitude liberal States like California and New York have plenty of room for you.

randy herbert | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

got this all wrong folks, anybody can beat the incumbant, the shift in thinking is that the senator and congressman from utah needs to be replaced by anybody because in utah we now want to give as many utah voters a chance at the specialized retirement and voted for pay raises .. it is foolish for utah to keep the same gov't people anymore .. they dont get anything done like robert byrd from west virginia moving the fbi fingerprint lab from dc to clarksburg wv, or get a bridge built that goes to nowhere, or 250 federal employees at all times a gov't facility, i offer that at each election the current person goes out and a new person goes in so we in utah can spread as much as possible the specialized retirement (voted for by the senators and congressmen -with zero input from the united states citizens who fund their specialized benefits and perks) and allowing this new person the pay allowance and expense packages only given to that office .. gov't has turned into a farce, kick them all out and at least give the money and retirement to as many utahans as possible

The Q-bicle | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Matheson is an over-cautious, buck-toothed nervous fellow who covers his own hide. Sad to say, his name is what got him into politics. Too bad these days you don't win an election based on your ability as a politician. He treads the murky waters of sophistry and wallows in a mud of illusionary pretensions.

I don't care for him as a political figure.

To the DC Intern | 1:36 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

I'm glad your 3 month internship in DC allowed you to delve into DC politics and gave you the wisdom and experience to see who's selling out Utahns.

Perhaps people will take you more seriously if you instead join the Army, serve a 15 month tour in Iraq and then come back and see which congressman will do the most for you when the VA is unresponsive to legitimate issues.

You'd definitely not have the naivete view you seem to have now.

registered republican | 1:47 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Matheson is the best elected official that we have from Utah.

Me | 1:57 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Honestly Matheson is a little too conservative for my liking. I'd love to see him get a good challenge from the left.

A challenge from the left? | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

How could someone challenge Matheson from the left when he already is there- way out there- in left field? Find someone to run against him, fellow Republicans!

AdjustableSpanner | 3:12 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Big surprise - nobody wants to spend a lot of money to lose to Jim Matheson. Maybe John Swallow will run against him yet again - that guy's pretty funny, he has absolutely no concept of what Congress does or how it operates. Listening to him in debates was a hoot!

Spanish Fork | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Registered Republican, is right Matheson is be best elected official from the governor up to our congressional delegation. That is probably because he has to make special effort to get to know the people of the Second District. That was the way it was for Bill Orton a few years ago until he was ruined by his own president and party. Matheson is pretty much home free until 2012 and the state has been re-districted by the republican legislature.

Douglas | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

How about Joe Cannon?

Douglas | 9:07 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

If 2 of Utah's 3 congressmen are the Cannon brothers then its a sign of the times and I'll be on my way to Missouri.

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