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Foes criticize Cannon over use of staffers

This is the same Crhis Cannon who claimed to be a Term Limits supporter 12 years ago. I didn't believe him then either.
When is enough, enough Chris?

Cannon has it figured out. No surprise. If you don't keep an eye on him he will do more and more of it. He learned from the best: the GOP in congress the past 10 years.

Hey, Bush does it as well.

The issue has been taken to the House Ethics and been cleared. For the most part that doesn't give me too much comfort although they did bust one of his staffers about four years back for violating a rule.

All in all, much ado about nothing.

Like all politicians after a couple of terms, no longer Mr. Clean!

A big part of the problem is the two year term. These days when only the wealthy can be elected and it takes two years to run a campaign (look at the presidential races), the term should be at least four.

As part of the reform, we need to look at the practicality of two year terms. How many "regular citizens" could possibly manage the cost and effort involved in getting elected and having to repeat it in two years? By the third year, they might actually be effective. Prior to that, they are only learning the ropes - orientation you might say.

I'm surprised that there is some criticism of Chris from the Deseret News seeing how his brother Joe is the Editor. As a state delegate, it's time to get someone else in congress. I don't know whether that should be Chaffetz or Leavitt, but definately not Cannon.

Every article about Chris Cannon should mention that the Deseret News editor is his brother. The Cannons seem to have a very expansive idea about what constitutes good ethics, at least when it concerns them.

I am a state delegate. I was NOT going to vote for Cannon this time around. However, some staffers on Leavitt's campaign are not honest in their dealings. I take concern with the opponents in this race. Jason (young pup) chaffetz wants to abolish the Federal Dept of Education. That counts him out and Leavitt is unrealistic with illegal immigration. The ultra conservative delegates out there are wacked and selfish!

The 1st time I heard Cannon explain why he votes for bills that he doesn't really support, I decided the 1st time we get someone to run against him that was any good, we should get rid of Cannon. That was 8 years ago. I have heard him do the same analogy several times since.

Both Jason and David would do better than Chris. It is time Chris gets 3rd place at convention. He was 2nd place 2 years ago. John Jacob beat him, even with Cook muddying the waters.

This time there are fewer, if any Cannon supporters going to state convention in my opinion.

Goal #1, Have Chris get 3rd place for the 1st round. #2, have Leavitt or Jason get 60% of the vote 2nd round. No primary for 3rd district, or at least, Chris not in it.

Chris Cannon has enjoyed 12 years in office, but I believe it's time for him to go and allow someone else the opportunity to be in Congress.
I really hope David Leavitt gets elected. I heard him speak at the Utah County Convention on Saturday and liked what he said. He told about standing for years alone on the Tom Green issue and even lost his job for it. I admire Leavitt's courage for being willing to lose his job for what is right--a trait I only see in him thus far.

6 terms is more than plenty for any single person. It's time for him to step down and let another serve. If congress had term limits I believe our representatives and senators would be less influenced by lobbyists and the super wealthy in america.

So the two challengers say there's a problem. The objective professor says Cannon is doing everything above board. Interesting.

Cannon went above and beyond the call of duty by paying his staffers and making it public. Cannon is highly respected by his peers in the House, and has fianlly gotten seniority in the Congress. neither leavitt nor Chaffetz has a compelling reason to replace Cannon, so they are continuing their unholy alliance to try to bring up this phony issue again.

It's good that this issue was brought up, but if everything is above board they should drop it. Chaffetz and Leavitt are trying to make this a political issue, which it isn't. I've worked in a Congressional office and know that this happens in many other offices. As long as they are distinguishing between the two (and that the staffers aren't paid twice), they should let it go. It just shows that they are naive to the realities of being a member of Congress.

What???

What room does Cannon have to talk about transparency in government? If that really is important to him, then why doesn't he disclose his earmark requests like Matheson did?

Someone needs to make a video of what's been happening with the Utah Republican party over the past year or so. Call it "When Republicans Attack" or "Republicans Gone Wild".

What does Cannon's "seniority" do for us in Congress? Republicans are in the MINORITY now. I'd like to hear you explain your argument.

It will be Leavitt and Cannon in a primary for sure if neither of those two clinch it outright at the convention--which is unlikely.
I heard there's a debate this Saturday in Provo between the candidates. I'll be interested to hear what they say.

Whether in the minority or not, seniority matters. People of both parties defer to committee members who have served long. He is the ranking minority member (will be chairman when GOP regains majority) of several subcommittees important to Utah and to issues that matter to Utah (natural resources committee, oversight and government reform committee, and judiciary committee). as more GOP members retire, his time in service counts even more - when the GOP regains control of the House, he will chair at least a subcommittee. Our state will never gain power or have influence in national affairs if we keep eating our own young, calling our congressmen back home jsut as they get to the point where they can really accomplish something for us.