Reader comments
Buttars gets nod from S.L. County GOP

Melvin Dumar | 4:11 a.m. May 4, 2008

Now if we can only get the 40% who did not vote for "The Buttars" to vote Democratic, maybe we can still rid ourselves of this racist hate monger.

M. B aker | 7:05 a.m. May 4, 2008

How can the good people of District 10 continue to elect Chris Buttars - Wake up! Can't you see what a terrible image this is for West Jordan and the entire state of Utah? The Good-Ole Boys rule again.

LaVonne M. | 7:11 a.m. May 4, 2008

Unbelievable! Chris Buttars is the most bombastic and caustic man alive in politics today. He spews hate, fear and half-truths and proudly claims he wonï¿½t change a thing. His ability to survive the nomination magnifies a problem with the Republican caucus and convention; where a small minority of party insiders, good-ole-boys and extremist rule the nomination process. Iï¿½m voting for the Democrat this year.

Comments continue below

bcs | 8:01 a.m. May 4, 2008

Melvin,
Count me in!
I guess it is true that a democrat in Utah is a conservative republican anywhere else.
If Buttars is what the Republicans consider a good candidate, I am definitely going to look at my options. I would hate to think that he truly represents the republican constituents in his area.

Supporter | 8:33 a.m. May 4, 2008

Apparently a sincere apology for a bad choice of cliche is not enough. This can't be accepted as a mistake to be forgiven. The NAACP must make sure they jump on him as though it were his true intent. No forgiveness here. I'm sure they won't forgive Pastor Wright either then.

Chris has championed causes others are afraid to touch such as parents rights against bureacracy (Wrongful CPS interference, etc.) and he supports traditional marriage and speaking English in America. This is a hard road to follow and he has the guts to do it.

Everyone makes mistakes. Fortunately his are not of the immoral character so many politicians prefer.

BBKing | 9:26 a.m. May 4, 2008

The readers of this story fail to realize the power of an organized campaign. In the convention process the campaign begins months in advance by organizing neighborhoods.

If I had to guess those that opposed Buttars read the news, figured it was time, filed to run then began organizing. I bet Buttars and company began literally 12 months ago. It's a race that one contestant started running a year ago, not a few months ago.

Lamanite Lou | 9:32 a.m. May 4, 2008

I moved to West Jordan three years ago. I stopped going to church two years ago. As a dark skinned man I experienced some interesting things every Sunday. I can see why Buttars keeps getting reelected because there are many racists and bigots who are living under the delusion that they are good Christian people. I doubt that the DesNews allows this comment to be posted.

What a joke! | 9:44 a.m. May 4, 2008

Archie Buttars is still politically alive? It makes me wonder what he would have to do to lose the vote of the Republican majority. Maybe they just don't read the paper or watch the news?

Not Just One Mistake | 9:52 a.m. May 4, 2008

Supporter--The "black baby" flap was the straw that broke the camel's back. This guy has a track record of fear mongering and incompetence. The fact that Buttars can sneak through the delegate voting process is a major black eye to the Republican party. Let's just hope that sanity prevails this fall and we get a rational human being elected.

Craig | 9:56 a.m. May 4, 2008

I am always amazed at the people who are perfectly willing to take the measure of man by what they read in the newspaper.

Another supporter | 10:11 a.m. May 4, 2008

It is funny that the very people who want Buttars out for a poor choice of words, are the very people spewing hateful words in these posts.

Buttars has consistantly represented my values. I personally know and live near Buttars and can say from first hand knowledge that the mud being slung at him is misinformed and mean-spirited. The many examples of his "racist hate monger" actions are simply distortions of his stances.

He does take a hard stance against the Gay/Lesbian agenda of creating a protected class and that creates
some very rabid, outspoken critics that love to distort his words and actions. Interestingly, he is not anti-homosexual. If you look at the context and reasoning of all the "incidents" that Buttars has been castigated for, you will find a lack of malice in each one.

I will vote for him this coming election.

An offended Republican | 10:36 a.m. May 4, 2008

Buttars gives Republicans a bad name and is a bad example of what LDS Church members should be and do.

He's hateful, arrogant and condemns those who don't agree with his POLITICAL views. If you don't believe it, try talking to him about the issues. Then try it if you're not lilly white.

This man doesn't stand for what Utah believes. He doesn't stand for what Mormons believe (think first two great commandments) and he doesn't stand for what Republicans believe.

He's a business oriented racist who wraps himself in family values to secure re-election.

Remember that that "Black Baby" statement wasn't his first public racism. He also said that letting black kids go to school with white kids was a mistake. And those are only the statements caught on tape.

My grandma used to say "there's never just one mouse in the kitchen." Buttar's racist statements are like that. They give a glimpse of his deep character and what seems to be an underlying lack of common Christian decency.

Democrats | 10:37 a.m. May 4, 2008

The only CHOICE to remove Buttar's.
Buttar's is the result of straight Republican Voting
I believe he has been in there for 6 terms or 40 years
That is just to much good Ole Boys.

Utah is a sick State like Indiana, Arizona, Texas and Utah
Right to work for low wages with high cost of living
makes for poor people in need

Change my vote | 10:59 a.m. May 4, 2008

After reading the hate spewed from Armstrong after losing, this is one delegate who would now vote for Butters.

Go Utah Dems | 11:22 a.m. May 4, 2008

The only option now is to vote for the D to unseat Buttars or just wait until next session, count how many bills Buttars runs AND get passed or see what he says then to get everyone mad. But then you have to wait four more years.

By the way, 6 terms at 4 years is only 24 years and not 40.

Razor One | 12:42 p.m. May 4, 2008

Just reading Ms. Williams comment about Buttars not representing the things the NAACP stands for is all I needed to confirm that he's the right guy for the job. Williams is the racist around here, and the NAACP is the racist organization at work here.

Buttars Fan | 1:10 p.m. May 4, 2008

I like Chris. If you have ever talked to him, he isn't condescending at all like some politicians. He is honest and has guts. I side with him on the issues. I'd vote for him any day. I am glad to see him succeed in spite of the ridiculous hate campaign by news outlets and others. It just shows that good can triumph once in a while.

I'm for Chris | 2:38 p.m. May 4, 2008

Me too. I like Chris. He is honest. I side with him on the issues. I'd vote for him any day.

Another Supporter | 2:58 p.m. May 4, 2008

I got a laugh from the posting right after mine that indicated... "He's hateful, arrogant and condemns those who don't agree with his POLITICAL views. If you don't believe it, try talking to him about the issues. Then try it if you're not lilly white."...

That poster obviously has never talked to Buttars.

AND

"Buttars...is a bad example of what LDS Church members should be and do." Once again that poster obviously doesn't know Buttars at all.

AND

"This guy has a track record of fear mongering and incompetence" That poster obviously has no idea what Buttars has acomplished in the senate. Nor do they care about the context of the statements they refer to.

AND

I like the "6 term" statement...Those posters obviously have an opinion but no facts. (He just finished his second term)

In my 20+ years of knowing Chris, I don't believe he has a racist bone in his body. Too bad all the negative posters have made up their minds about him from media bites.

Oh...I am not "lilly" white.

Buttars is a hypocrite | 3:31 p.m. May 4, 2008

Buttars publicly stated recently that he never took campaign money from the alcohol companies. In reality, he took money for THIS election cycle from Anheiser-Busch and Miller Brewing. Liar is a strong word that I hesitate to throw out, but Buttars' version of the truth does not look like the truth to me.

Reason | 4:26 p.m. May 4, 2008

Congrats to Senator Buttars on his victory. I have a sneaking suspicion there is a bit of pretending among some of the posters here ï¿½ people pretending to be outraged Republicans who will now vote for Buttarsï¿½ Democratic opponent, angry people pretending to be in Buttarsï¿½ district, people claiming to ï¿½knowï¿½ various negative things about the senator.

Senator Buttars is not perfect, but from what I can see, he appears to be a good man, and the people of his district should be proud to have him represent them. Fortunately they are the ones who know him best, and they voted for him in spite of the hype trumped up against him by those who disagree with his conservative political views.

Anonymous | 4:35 p.m. May 4, 2008

The tribe has spoken, buttars is voted in.

shecky | 5:51 p.m. May 4, 2008

I used to vote Republican, but due to folks like Uncle Chris, I've had to make the change. I don't really care about the "baby" comment...I think that it was just the innocent comment of a man who neglected to wear his drool guard one day.

But for a guy who claims the "family values" theme, I have to say that he must belong to a different family than mine.

Ridgway | 6:23 p.m. May 4, 2008

So Mike got a total of one vote? Was that Mike or his brother? So this guy dedicates his life to the Utah Republican Party and for all of his efforts, he garnishes one vote when he runs for office. Wow.

Oh Brother | 8:12 p.m. May 4, 2008

Mike Ridgway spends his life protesting his treatment by the Utah Republican Party. Truth is...He is just annoying!

Non Supporter | 9:13 p.m. May 4, 2008

I'm casting my vote now against Butters. He has lost my respect. I do not share his values and I definitely do not want him representing me. I've actually gotten interested and involved in politics due to people like Chris Butters so that I can be a voice that says NO to his re-election.

John | 9:54 p.m. May 4, 2008

Chris Buttars is not the most articulate politician, but he votes right on the issues, and is not a two faced liar like so many politicians.

He is coarse around the edges, but he has devoted years of his life to helping youths in need, so his acts speak a lot more about his character and beliefs than his few ill-chosen words, or the hateful attacks of his partisan critics.

Congratulations to the wise delegates who realize this and supported him. Hope the voters do likewise, and ignore the lies and attacks of the partisan media.

grundle | 10:09 p.m. May 4, 2008

re:Non-Supporter

Gave me a smile...Good luck with that.

If I lived in his district, I'd vote for him.

Buttard | 11:31 p.m. May 4, 2008

Buttars will lose the general election. Just watch.

Lane Meyer | 11:59 p.m. May 4, 2008

As a delegate I am proud to say that it was my vote that kept him from a primary.
The media should do a little more homework so they can better avoid being such tools of the special interests who are vitriolic enemies of not only Buttars but of freedom itself.

Gary Armstrong | 8:29 a.m. May 5, 2008

I'd like to thank all those that supported my bid. I wish we could have one more of you! I ran not because of comments from Buttars, but from his eager willingness to sell our district out in favor of his senate friends. Follow the paper trail on the unfair school district split and it goes right to him. A marriage definition amendment that passed with 90% of the vote isn't a "tough issue." Standing up to eastside senators passing "taxation without representation" laws is the tough issue. And he turned his back on our district.

The fact that 112 delegates voted for him does not change bad voting choices. It does not change the reasons I saw to challenge him. I place my loyalty to my district above party. That is why I now endorse John Rendall. We cannot afford more of Mr. Buttars. He places party and party leadership loyalty over our district. I cannot support that perspective, regardless of party.

I might have lost the vote, but not my integrity. And I value that much more than any political title I could wear.

A Delegate | 9:03 a.m. May 5, 2008

Gary,

Itï¿½s too bad you chose the anti-Buttars route for your campaign...It hurt you. I think there was enough of that sentiment that would have propelled you to a primary. However your speech on Saturday lost you my vote. After hearing your comments afterwards and in your post, I am reassured in my decision. I support the republican platform and its principles over the democratic platform. This may seem trivial to you but it is not. Swinging your support to Rendall is completely within your right, however it reinforces my assessment that you were simply running on the campaign of "anti-Buttars".

Good luck in your future endeavors.

Yarstruuli | 2:49 p.m. May 5, 2008

Gary Gary Gary.

If you are going to go over to the dark side, you should have done it quietly. I'm afraid you have tainted any future run at any Republican nomination forever. "He supported the Democrat" will haunt you much longer than Chris Buttars will ever be in office (or even on this planet).

I'm a delegate. I voted for you. I still think you are a good guy. But I'm afraid your political career may have taken a blow as damaging as that engendered by a "black baby" comment.

stalkingMikeRidgway | 3:59 p.m. May 6, 2008

Ridgway ran because the party said he COULDN'T run. I'm going to bet he ran that office merely to prove a point.... and get his 3 minutes of air time all for a mere $16 filing fee. Do you really think Jarvis is going to win this race anyway?

More seriously, Mike's running for National Committeeman. I bet he gets more than 1 vote in that race. In that role, he's an important player and deserves to win.

By the way, James Evans... I SERIOUSLY hope you weren't the one doing the math with those percentages. A 4th-grader can calculate better than that! (It wasn't just that race which was seriously miscalculated. GO LEARN FRACTIONS AND PERCENTAGES!!!)

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