Reader comments
Foes criticize Cannon over use of staffers

Loren | 6:16 a.m. April 28, 2008

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?

russ | 6:17 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

BBKing | 7:04 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Comments continue below

Carl | 7:34 a.m. April 28, 2008

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

Reformer | 7:45 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

His brother | 7:58 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

No more Cannons | 8:14 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Changed my tune | 8:38 a.m. April 28, 2008

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!

arc | 8:42 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Z | 9:30 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Time for Someone New | 9:39 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Dan Rather | 9:39 a.m. April 28, 2008

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

ZZ | 9:57 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Jeff | 10:02 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

re: Changed my tune | 10:13 a.m. April 28, 2008

What???

Transparency? | 10:50 a.m. April 28, 2008

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?

Jane | 10:52 a.m. April 28, 2008

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".

re: ZZ | 11:03 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

Prediction | 11:53 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

ZZ | 11:55 a.m. April 28, 2008

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.

BBKing | 12:11 p.m. April 28, 2008

Seniority does matter, even when in the minority party.

In each committee they have positions associated with seniority. The ranking member from the majority party is the chair. The ranking member from the minority part holds that title and leads the charge in negotiations and running opposition. And when issues are being negotiated the ranking minority member (Chris Cannon on a couple committees) gets a large amount of say as to what happens, though not the final say.

If Leavitt or Chaffetz were sent back to Washington they would barely get noticed. I know Leavitt thinks he would woo the world with his charisma, sadly seniority systems are designed to shut that down. Like it or not, it is the system in DC. And 12 years beats Mr (no) Charisma every day of the week and ten times on Sunday.

yorktown | 12:16 p.m. April 28, 2008

The primary will be between Chaffetz and Leavitt.

Chris just did a cannon-ball off the gang plank.

Leavitt is no conservative. He'll have us all signing our names in orange finger prints before long. If you're all impressed with his "revolutionary" newsletter, you should read up on the Orange Revolution. It's just another American Imperialistic invasion for global dominance.

Chaffetz is our only hope for reform.

JT | 12:26 p.m. April 28, 2008

Crocodile tears. When Chaffetz and Leavitt say they're "outraged" I can only think of Claude Rains in Casablanca saying he's shocked - shocked! - that there's gambling at Rick's Casino.

Leavitt is trying to coast in on name recognition alone. Are we electing our representatives, or a Utah aristocracy? Oh wait, we have our current governor because everyone likes his dad.

NY | 12:27 p.m. April 28, 2008

Having worked for NuSkam, Chaffetz doesn't have the moral authority to criticize anybody's ethics. As embarrassing as Cannon has been, it would be a greater embarrassment to send Caffetz. It looks like it is Leavitt by default.

This is wrong | 12:34 p.m. April 28, 2008

Now we see why the peoples business is not done
I do believe these people do not know what the peoples business really is
400 + bills and most are Unconstitutional

Tom Kent | 1:46 p.m. April 28, 2008

I read this article about three weeks ago in the Tribune... Can't these guys come up with anything original? This issue is over and done. If anything they should be attacking chaffetz for his plan to "improve the republican party from the inside-out." If he plans to do that, then why doesn't he run in the district he lives in, and take a Democrat's seat?

FERGUSON | 2:04 p.m. April 28, 2008

We need Mr. Ferguson to replace Cannon! Bob Lonsberry abruptly broke up an interview with him on his morning show recently, when Mr. Ferguson began to attack the North American Union (NAU). That's typically of neo-con Lonsberry.

anne | 2:41 p.m. April 28, 2008

Cannon is doing more for Utah than any other Congressman from Utah. He has passed more bills and is on more committies, he is actually working back there for us.
Chaffetz only knows how to stir things up and promote himself and Leavitt is just as bad. Cannon is in the best position to represent Utah.

arc | 3:09 p.m. April 28, 2008

Cannon is not doing more than Jason or David would do. Chris is a nice guy, but he will vote for things he doesn't believe in. He was put back in, over Jacob 2 years ago, only because of this brother Joe, and Bush.

It is really true that most of Cannon's funding comes from out of state? I guess most of the people here are ready for a change.

State Delegate going for Chris | 7:42 p.m. April 28, 2008

At first I was impressed with Leavitt talking about Cannon not having influence but then I did some research and actually talked to Chris. He's passed two bills since the Republicans have been in the minority. His Internet Tax Moratorium bill and the Prisoner second chance one. That shows me he knows how to work with the other side and get things done. Leavitt isn't completely telling the truth - and Chaffetz is just trying too hard to sell me something. I'm going with Chris.

just me | 10:37 p.m. April 28, 2008

Much ado about nothing. Cannon has worked hard for us and I for one will be voting for him. Cannon is the best !!!!

Seniority or Influence? | 7:59 a.m. April 29, 2008

I heard Leavitt speak on this and it makes a lot of sense. Cannon's seniority gets him a position as a Ranking Member, but it doesn't always translate to influence in Congress. Cannon ranks 318 of 435 on the power rankings at Congress.org. In his own class of 1996, he ranks 41 of 47. That class includes Roy Blunt who was elected to House leadership after his 3rd term. Check it out for yourself.

RE: State Delegate for Chris | 8:08 a.m. April 29, 2008

The Second Chance bill was introduced when Republicans were the majority, and Cannon has co-signed on to a half-dozen bills just since the beginning of this year when the election cycle got heated. His staff must be busy. After all, they have to do double duty.

Hmmm. | 11:03 a.m. April 29, 2008

It's interesting that some people say after 12 years, Cannon is now ready to do something for us. Does that strike anyone else as odd and extremely uninformed?

Leavitt | 2:22 p.m. April 29, 2008

is by far the best choice to represent us in Congress.

ABC | 12:08 a.m. May 1, 2008

Anybody but Cannon.... Anybody but Chaffetz...

IS Utah Best served by #318 out of 435 Reps.??? We deserve better - thanks to John Jacob, Cannon is declining.... Will it be a primary? Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion...

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