Reader comments
Caucuses may give big edge

"Chaffetz is counting on the fact that delegates historically have been less friendly to Cannon than the 3rd District voters who have handily elected him to six terms."

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Two years ago, for example, Cannon got 59% at the convention, and 59% in the primary.

The caucus system remains a great way to have the informed grassroots select a party's candidates, instead of backroom party bosses.

I liked how when I followed the links I still couldn't find where to attend the Republican caucuses in Utah county. No wonder our State seems so determined to vote like sheep! There is no other way.

I'd vote for Cannon if I got to vote for him. We need to end the caucus system for just a primary.

Chaffetz may be caucusing at his school in Alpine but who is he going to vote for because he can't be a delegate in the 3rd district because he doesn't live in the 3rd district.

This really bothers me.

Too bad, but only a small handfull of people will attent the Democratic caucuses, if history has any bearing on what happens tonight. For several years, I have attended the Democratic caucuses and have usually been elected precinct chair, as well as county and state delegate because my wife and I were the only ones there. Recently, we have seen several of our neighbors attend, as well. I encourage all Democrats and Republicans to go and participate in your neighborhood caucuses. It's exciting, fun and extremely informative. Both the county and state conventions give you an opportunity to actually mold public policy and to select future representation. Get involved now, or don't complain later!

"Leavitt will be running his caucus as the precinct chairman in his OWN OFFICE in Nephi." Tell me how a candidate gets to run his own caucus meeting!? So much for a fair meeting down there in Nephi! I guess that's small town politics for you.

I look forward to caucusing for Chris Cannon tonight. He has the seniority and influence in Washington to actually help Utah. With Leavitt or Chaffetz the state goes backward 12 years and is not represented as much as it would be otherwise.

I am interested in the comment above, it's ironic that Chaffetz can't vote for himself because he lives in Matheson's district! If he is as strong a conservative as he claims to be why is he not running against the democrat in his own district?

I hope that Cannon folks get out there this evening. He's effective, he has seniority, and he's the MOST conservative Member of the House of Representative from Utah. Cannon has a 96% approval rating by the National Taxpayers Association, 100% from NRA, etc.

Leavitt is the Kum Ba Ya candidate that thinks sitting around holding hands and talking about God will solve problems. Sounds like Mike Huckabee.

Chaffetz doesn't live in the district and is NASTY.

Let me ask you a question. Name one thing Cannon has done for us as a consequence of his "seniority" and "influence" in Washington? He has done nothing for Utah. Nothing but misrepresent this state and line his pockets.

I'll admit the other alternatives aren't that awesome either. I am sick of seeing all the nepotism in Utah. Leavitt could be a good guy, but his family associations hurt him in my opinion.

It's time for real people to represent this state, both locally and in Washington. Say no to Cannon and to Leavitt. Chaffetz would be my vote by default if I lived in the district.

Matheson's area is so gerrymandered I wouldn't worry where Chaffetz lives.

As for Cannon, no one in Washington votes less. I prefer a candidate who votes, and is not as friendly with Jack Abramoff. Also i prefer a candidate who didn't make millions while driving his employee-owned steel mill into bankrupcy.

Cannon was named Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law at the beginning of the 108th Congress in January of 2003. As chairman he oversees legislation involving bankruptcy reform, privacy, interstate compacts and tort reform.

I don't think he has done too well with the bankruptcy reform.

I am going to caucus for Cannon too. Leavitt is a joke and an empty suit and Chaffetz is Duke Cunningham waiting to happen. The guy has no backbone and wouldn't know what he believes. You can't be a Dukakis guy and the leader of the college Dems then change your stripes. Sorry Jason.

Cannon is easy to reach, he listens (even we don't agree all the time) and he is one of the few impeachment managers left. He took on Hillary as a freshman member of Congress and I respect that. He is a solid conservative vote and he is gonna take over a committee this time around. Hopefully one where he can bring down gas prices and let us start building our own energy supply.

I also like Cannon because him being there and winning this will stick it to Leavitt and Huntsman. Go Chris Go!

Could someone show where in the Constitution it says that a candidate must live in the district? I thought the Founders had tried to protect people from gerrymandering by only requiring that they be a resident of the state in which they run.

I've always thought it was ridiculous that the Third District has a hole in it. If you live in Lehi, everyone north of you and everyone south of you is in the Third District! But they are this little hole that was gerrymandered into Matheson's district by a Republican legislature. It makes no sense.

I don't know if Chaffetz is the guy, but I think maybe one reason we're in trouble in this country is because we're more concerned about where a candidate sleeps at night than what the candidate would do if elected.

Why the focus on the "R" candidates? Are there not candidates with "D" behind their names engaged in seeking this office? It is terrible when even the media, who should be unbiased, lack balance when no mention of the opposition candidates is made in a news story about a political process. Oh well, we are after all a one party state. Perhaps that is the real solutin to our political problems - make Utah a 2 party state. Vote for dems for a change.

From the things I've read, Leavitt is starting to sound alot like John Jacob. If he doesn't end up winning, at least he can blame the devil. Chaffetz is only running on the fact that he's not Cannon. I haven't heard anything positive come out of his mouth, which won't win any election in Utah County. Whether you like Cannon or not, we know he's a strong conservative (with a 96% ACU rating... the highest in Congress) and that his seniority is a benefit to the state. Others have made comments about him not doing much. Look at the number of bills he's been able to pass compared to Matheson or Bishop. It takes a long time to really move up in Congress. Voting for either Leavitt or Chaffetz just means that it will be another 10 years until our district have any influence in Washington.

The real question is: how is it not fair? Leavitt has every right to be a precinct chair even if he is a candidate. Where is the rule against that? Also, do you really think Leavitt would be able to run the caucus in his office without approval from the Republican Party? This is hardly a secret, especially since it's printed in the newspaper. Sorry, but there's no scandal or inequity here.

David Leavitt has my vote. He has the courage to stand up, deliver a difficult message (much more than simply a Kum-ba-ya message, as was alluded to earlier in this forum), and tell people exactly what is wrong with our country. I respect Rep. Cannon and thank him for his service over the past 12 years. But I believe the time has come for someone new to enter Congress and have a chance to influence the body. Leavitt has experience, stamina, and the ability to listen. All I've heard from the other candidate are hateful words for Rep. Cannon and no real ideas about leading our country. Thank you, Rep. Cannon for your service. But it's time for someone new, and that person is David Leavitt.

Chaffetz has no principles except making sure Chaffetz gets ahead. He was a college Demo, then a shill for the MLMs, now he's a carpetbagger running to be "more conservative than thou." Cannon failed in business (just look at the giant Geneva scrap yard), so he heads for Washington to do nothing useful. Don't know Leavitt, but if he's like Mike, he's just another BushCheney lapdog. Where do the Republicans get these candidates? Where are people of principle AND competence?

The comment didn't say it wasn't legal. Just not fair. I'm sure the Party knew about it and that's exactly the point. I also think its inappropriate to be the candidate running his own meeting. Leavitt should step aside simply for the appearence of it. Besides the other candidates will hardly have the same amount of signs and literature available as Leavitt does in HIS OWN OFFICE. It seems the 'good ole' boys are rallying around their guy down there in Nephi. Small town politics - whatcha gonna do right?

When will we stop judging people because of their family? Would you like to be judged by the successes/mistakes of your family members? For goodness sake, let's allow David Leavitt to be his own man. Let's stop judging him because of his brother Mike. That is nothing less than judgmental and bigoted.

Clearly Cannon is the only candidate with integrity