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Complaints grow about Utah politics

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Action Jackson | 3:37 a.m. April 25, 2008
I take exception to these allegations. Republicans would never engage in such behavior. This is an outrage.
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Displeased citizen of Utah | 3:57 a.m. April 25, 2008
My goodness. I am mormon, and I am a citizen of Utah. But the republican party has ideologically "raped" Utah's reasoning and has done this is a dirty and corrupted fashion.

From all of the places, you would think that Utah would stop being so silly about politics. No I am not a democrat, but Mike Gravel, Ron Paul, and Ralph Nader should be the people that we are talking about, not Mitt Romney, who says he is mormon, but for people who know about him, he is a crook, and Bush 2.0 aka McCain.

Republican party isn't the bishopric guys, we must step up, get informed, and demand that our officials do their job, and if not, we step up, punch them in the mouth, and say no more corruption and abuse of the populace.
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bhparkman | 4:10 a.m. April 25, 2008
Yes; this is the nature of politics.

Anyone who has spent time in the closed door meetings of the RNC, DNC, Consitution Party, etc. knows that these party leaders look for two major things in candidates:

Will this person bring in money for the party?
Is this person able to win the election?

Everything is calculated for winning elections, gaining money and power, and they don't really care about the citizens' opinions. That's just not applicable anymore. Every party does this; I've seen and heard it with my own senses.

If folks really want control of their state back, then they'll have to do a few things:

1. Don't have party loyalty. They seriously aren't loyal to you, so don't waste your energy.
2. Don't give them money. Most folks who run for office already have their own fortunes. They don't need your money.
3. Shop for a candidate from any party and grill them severely. If they won't respond to you in the election cycle, then they'll probably ignore you after elected.

Lastly, the LDS Church does not command it's mamber sot vote Republican. That's a urban legend born from bad historians doing a bad job.
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Tom | 5:21 a.m. April 25, 2008
Most unseemly behavior from rancerous, power hungry, self-indulgent, dweebs. That's what it looks like to folks on the outside. If you cannot act like adults, follow the letter and spirit of the rules, then go to Texas and start your own little fiefdom(s).
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russ | 6:02 a.m. April 25, 2008
This is easily solved by doing one of two things. Don't vote republican. Or, vote democrat. That is how one party rule is undone.

Not nuclear science you know.
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BBKing | 6:37 a.m. April 25, 2008
Good people doing bad things.

Curt Bramble is a pit bull, and of course every game possible is being played in order for him to win. Candidly, the Lockharts and Brambles need to be put out to pasture. So much controversy that has never existed.

Now let me add another MAJOR problem in all of this. Some of the same incredibly controversial people from Salt Lake County are now moving into Utah County. I can't give names or the moderator will censur this post but the people that have caused nothing but controversy are now causing the same problems in Utah County. This is 50% just these trouble makers taking their show on the road.

The last thing any of us should want to have is Nancy Lord playing in Utah County. These people fight just for the sake of fighting.

Sad future ahead for Utah County!
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Politics rules | 6:46 a.m. April 25, 2008
Funny the Republicans can not live with the rules
Utah is in Violation of the Utah State Constitution as well
They all ignore the fact it exist because it protects the public from un just Government
That is your Republican Party for you
Wake up
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Anonymous | 6:47 a.m. April 25, 2008
I am currently a Utah county Republican delegate and I have been very surprised on the activities that occur among delegates and especially precinct chairs. Two examples I have seen are worth noting.

1) I spoke with a women who is a county delegate and she was told by her precinct chair that they (the precinct delegates) will vote as a "block". In other words, she was told that she can't vote for the candidate she wants and has to vote with the majority opinion of her precinct delegates

2) There is a nearby precinct that did not elect the full set of delegates at the precinct caucus. Later, the precinct chair appointed the remaining delegate. Some claim that this was done to prevent delegates supporting a specific candidate.

While I don't believe there is any conspiracy going on, I am surprised at lack of regulation and oversight over delegate selection and training. In the end, a viable candidate has to work with the system and influence as many delegates as possible to vote in their favor.
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Registered independent | 6:51 a.m. April 25, 2008
I have voted the Republican ticket for as long as I can remenmber, though I have strayed from it when I believed a particlar candidate was a better choice than another. I have opposed Sen. Hatch in the last two electionsbecause I believe he has strayed from his original conservatism. But, I changed to the independent designation out of frustration with the heavy handed dominance of the state Republican machine which I think runs afoul of reasonable politics on a routine basis.
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Wide Spread | 6:54 a.m. April 25, 2008
This issue is wide spread. I am a precinct chair in Davis county and pushed hard to get people out to our local caucus meeting. We had a packed school room full of people. Representative Curt Oda, on the other hand, is his precinct chair. He was only able to get 4 people out to his. In his meeting there were 3 delegates chosen. Mr. Oda, His Wife and his Daughter. They of course all voted for Kurt to win. Curt won a 50% majority by 1 vote.
This man is a crook... not because he stacks the deck but because of the way he works in the legislature. Why can't Davis county voters see him for what he is. I have left several messages on his phone since the convention... very nice messages... he won't return the call. What a joke of legislator he is!!! VOTE DEMOCRAT!
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Wassup | 6:56 a.m. April 25, 2008
Happens all the time all over the country. Some Republicans and some Democrats. Just look at the shenanigans re: Democrat super delegates. 800 super delegates can override what the vast majority of Dems voted for during the primaries/caucasus'?

To the established political parties, it's all a game.
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Crooked Politician | 7:03 a.m. April 25, 2008
Is this really news? A crooked politician? Wake up people. This is coming from one of the most homogeneous areas in the country that routinely does not look at the candidates. Instead they feel that they need to vote for the party with "higher morals" and then do not hold their representatives responsible. The republican party needs a real gut check as do the democrats. The problems that we are seeing in the country are a direct result of the people not being represented by individuals without morals or any allegience to anything other then their own agenda.
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Wow | 7:27 a.m. April 25, 2008
Throw the bums out. The lot of em. As a registered Republican, I am thoroughly disgusted and embarrassed by members of my party. If Utah County voters aren't smart enough to vote these folks out, they deserve what they get. But I for one am still utterly floored at what these incumbents try to get away with. It's like Moscow in the 1950s.
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yorkie | 7:28 a.m. April 25, 2008
Do the world a favor:

Remove one incumbent from office this year.

Do the world a bigger favor:

Make it Curt Bramble. Or Chris Cannon. I'm flexible.
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New Utah Democrat | 7:39 a.m. April 25, 2008
That's why this year, I'm voting Democrat where I live and I'll continue to vote Republican nationally. (Even Utah GOPs should keep Matheson and Corroon)
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absolute power | 7:40 a.m. April 25, 2008
corrupts absolutley
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An epidemic | 7:42 a.m. April 25, 2008
Our political parties are in real trouble. The Internet (thanks, Al) has increased our collective memory and allowed us to unite through communication and common ideas.
The platforms are meaningless and weak because the right and the left are both courting the middle. Platitudes and attacks are all that is left.
That said, they survive because there is a record number of voters beholden to government either through entitlements or employment.
Increasingly the politicians will be called upon to do more with less money.
Our "leaders" would do well to read "Standing for Something" by President Hinckley.
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why | 7:43 a.m. April 25, 2008
is a kid too young to vote a delegate?

can you spell N E P O T I S M
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this isn't hard | 7:44 a.m. April 25, 2008
don't move or don't be a delegate. life is full of choices.
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Obviously Undereducated | 8:08 a.m. April 25, 2008
There are reasons to question the judgment of State Republican elected leadership, but I can't see this as being a particularly thorny problem.

I know, the idea of "superdelegates" is repugnant to many people, but on the other hand, why cannot we have our elected officials who happen to be Republican (and in Utah County, that's pretty much the same thing) automatically be delegates? Just why should that be offensive?

Mr. Weiler's (the state vice-chair) specifically supporting one candidate in a Davis County senatorial race is quite a different issue.
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