Reader comments
Demo aims to unseat Orton as national committeeman

Jeff | 6:50 a.m. May 5, 2008

Ah, Democrats...double-standards used to eat your own. The GOP thanks you.

Orton is.... | 7:17 a.m. May 5, 2008

The best Democrat in the state. McCoy is a hypocrite and apparently still upset that someone would dare challenge him from within the Democratic Party (nevermind that he only registered as a Democrat five months before running for office). Hey McCoy, didn't you take the nomination for that senate seat from Rod Julander even though Paula made it clear that it was her explicit desire that he should replace her?

McCoy is the worst kind of politician. I think that Orton should be commended for sticking by his friend despite his political leaning. I wouldn't want a national committee rep who would stab a friend in the back just because he belonged to a different party.

McCoy, get over it. And ideally, take it back to your home state where these sorts of hardball tactics may be more welcome.

Anonymous | 7:35 a.m. May 5, 2008

The best choice regardless of this flap is Joe Hatch.

Comments continue below

BBKing | 8:18 a.m. May 5, 2008

Funny, when Republicans speak of expectant behavior from party officers Republicans are called all sorts of names. Bob Bernick writes articles trashing them. People on these blogs go nuts.

When Democrats do it...well at least the Deseret News covered the story. Normally it would be the crickets chirping thing. Still, should we expect an editorial calling the Democrats names?

lilith | 8:28 a.m. May 5, 2008

Senator McCoy did make such a statment while speaking to the Stonwall Democrats at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention in 2007 after he endorsed Ralph Becker for Mayor, and I was glad he did. What I don't understand is why Scott isn't being honest about making the statement now.

Sen. McCoy | 8:31 a.m. May 5, 2008

To Orton is:

1) I am not a hypocrite. I have not and will not endorse a Republican in a partisan race.

2) I am not upset that someone would challenge me. That is what our democratic process is about. I will stand by my record and my representation of my district . Any Democrat or Republican is free to challenge me and I will argue that I am the best person for the job.

3) It is interesting that you accuse me of being upset "that someone would dare challenge" me and then say that I went against Paula's wishes in opposing her husband to take over the seat. I mean how dare I challenge her right? Isn't that what you are saying. You need to remember that seats are not hand-me-downs and are not inherited. They come open and a democratic process elects the candidates and ultimately the officeholders. That seat was not Puala's it was the people of the Second Districts. It was not hers to bequeath.

Sen. McCoy | 8:32 a.m. May 5, 2008

3) As for sticking by your friends, Orton was free to stand by Joe, just not while he was Democratic National Committeeman.

4) Thanks for the advice but I am "over it." All I did was send out some information that people can take or leave about this elected position. I didn't seek out the press on this, they came to me. So, the delegates can use the info or disregard it. It is up to them. I am not using "hardball" tactics. Since when is sending an email and sharing information a hardball tactic?

Stanley Steamer | 8:34 a.m. May 5, 2008

Yhe best choice is Bill Orton! Hatch has never voted for a Republican? We need more people crossing over. I seem to remember that Hatch was the guy who supported Cody Judy.

Way to go Joe, you're a real help to Utah Democrats.

Sen. McCoy | 8:38 a.m. May 5, 2008

As for the comment about electing gays regardless of partisanship. I don't believe I ever said that. Also, Brian Doughty was unaffiliated at the time I endorsed him and he was running in a NONPARTISAN race for city council. Had he been running for a partisan race I would not have endorsed him if he were a Republican. Incidentally, Brian is now a Democratic precinct chairman and delegate and will not be voting for Bill Orton for National Committeeman.

Sen. McCoy | 8:49 a.m. May 5, 2008

Lilith,

I just don't recall making that statement. I certainly don't deny endorsing Brian. I'm not trying to hide anything here.

Interesting | 9:03 a.m. May 5, 2008

As a pretty strong Republican, just a few personal notes here:

1) Sen McCoy is an outstanding Senator. Because the Dems are so outnumbered, his ideas rarely make it through to the Governor. But McCoy is the best Senator SLC has right now. Watching him in Committee, he really is the one who "gets it" among his other colleagues. He's the only one, IMO, who isn't over his head among the Senate Dems. He, not Pat Jones or Gene Davis, should be the Senate Minority Leader.

2) Brian Doughty has been a Log Cabin Republican, but that doesn't matter, because McCoy's endoresment was not in a partisan race.

3) If you hold a party office, you are expected to endorse party candidates. Orton failed on this measure. He is welcome to endorse whomever he wishes, just not as National Committeeman.

This situation is pretty cut and dry. McCoy has Orton dead to rights on this one.

Kenneth in Texas | 10:01 a.m. May 5, 2008

Though I know longer live in Utah, I have for much of my life. Though I am primarily Republican, I have voted for Bill Orton when he represented Utah's Third Congressional District. I think he is an honest man that stands by principles first. Of course, it sounds like the same thing could be said of McCoy (standing by principles first). But, McCoy's principles would have problems gaining wide support in state-wide politics. He represents a liberal constituency in Salt Lake County. Bill Orton's principles have a much greater chance of gaining statewide support. He represented perhaps Utah's most conservative Congressional District. It seems Democrats in Utah should be most concerned with who can best represent the majority of them in the national committee? Besides, this sounds like a personal revenge tactic of McCoy's more than a genuine interest in the needs of the Utah Democratic Party.

lost in DC | 10:28 a.m. May 5, 2008

Sen McCoy's position, as represented in the article, undermines the many commenters who say vote for the candidate rather than the party.

To be fair, there is a difference between voting for someone and actively campainging for them.

Not being registered in any party, I say let the democrats handle it internally by their rules and procedures. That doesn't mean we can't watch with amusement or consternation or concern from the sidelines.

Sen. McCoy | 10:34 a.m. May 5, 2008

Kenneth,

This is not about revenge. When I look at this I ask myself who is going to do the best job as National Committeeman. That job is to support an build the Democratic party both locally and nationally. How would increasing the Republican super-majority in the state Legislature by supporting my Republican opponent help accomplish the mission and job of the Democratic National Committeeman or the state party. I am not saying that Bill Orton cannot vote for or support anyone he desires. Rather, if he is to be our Democratic National Committeeman he shouldn't endorse Republican candidates over our Democratic candidates. The Republican that Bill endorsed is running against our Democratic incumbent in the District 24 in the Avenues now. Bill shouldn't endorse him over her either. This is not about me. It is about the principle and the position that Bill holds and seeks to continue to hold.

Sen. McCoy | 10:50 a.m. May 5, 2008

Lost,

I have never demanded any kind of lock-step voting with the party. Who a person votes for in the privacy of their voting booth is their own business and I understand that there are many people who vote for the person and not the party. I am sure I have many republicans in my district that have voted for me as a person rather than their party's candidate. That is fine. What cannot be forgotten in this case is that Orton was elected to a partisan leadership position in the Democratic Party. As such, he is expected and required to discharge that office in favor of Democratic candidates. If Bill wanted to endorse or support or vote for the Republican in my race as plain old former congressman Bill Orton, then so be it. The difference is that he was the Democratic National Committeeman at the time. As such, he was bound by a different set of rules and considerations at that time and in that position. Again, this isn't about me. I overwhelmingly won my race. This is about the position and who we want in it.

Lilith | 10:59 a.m. May 5, 2008

Scott, you did make those comments, and you identified Brian as a Republican. You also stated that you were supporting him because of his sexual orientation.

Selective memory I guess.

Demo | 1:24 p.m. May 5, 2008

Mr. Orton's endorsement of a Republican aside, it should also be pointed out that he has not faithfully attended the DNC meetings as required during his current term as National Committeeman and by not doing so, has failed to represent Utah Democrats. I'd also be interested to see what Mr. Orton has done in Utah to strengthen the state party.In my opinion, an inactive or lukewarm Democrat is the worst kind. I will not be voting for Orton--I don't think he's reliable and I don't think I can trust his judgement.

Anonymous | 1:41 p.m. May 5, 2008

Has anyone seen Jarvis' recommendations on healthcare? No wonder the Democrats like him. He wants to socialize medicine. Just what we need -- more government involvement!

Anonymous | 1:44 p.m. May 5, 2008

McCoy shows himself as the true partisan. Rather than being willing to support the best individual he admits that he will always back a Democrats (in a partisan election) regardless of qualifications.

2-Faced Democratic Party | 1:50 p.m. May 5, 2008

The Democratic party is worse than the Republican party. At least Republicans are open about the delegates desire to purge non-loyalists. The Democrats condemn that practice in public and then promote it when it serves their purposes. Why must they always try to deceive the public? Can't they be open and honest about their actions? I guess we would expect this from another power-hungry Senator. Buttars, McCoy, Bramble. Is there something in the water?

lost in DC | 2:06 p.m. May 5, 2008

Sen McCoy, I hope you mis-interpreted my intent. Perhaps I did not express myself too well. If that's what your rules are, then live by them. There are many who frequently comment and complain about people in the state who vote party over person. The impression from the article was that you were requiring party over person. Your response to my earlier comment indicates that was not your intent, and I will take you at your word.

Mickey Mouse | 3:02 p.m. May 5, 2008

Bill Orton has worked diligently throughout Utah building the party, especially in Utah County. When Bill missed his meeting with the DNC he was in the hospital. He missed another meeting because his doctor wouldn't allow him to fly.

Get a grip Donald Duck!

Truth | 4:01 p.m. May 5, 2008

Let's remember who this is about...Bill Orton as National Committeeman of the Democratic Party has/had a responsibility to the party. I'm sure your buddy Joe would have understood that in your position you could NOT endorse a Republican --bottom line!!

--You can keep trying to bring other people into it, but it's your own wrong doing Bill.

Amateurs! | 4:15 p.m. May 5, 2008

This forum is a great outlet for the amateurs to take their pot-shots from the cheap-seats - get some real courage and run for office.

Amateurs | 4:25 p.m. May 5, 2008

This forum is a great place for the cowards and the amateurs to spout-off from the cheap seats - Woohoo! - Show some real courage get elected to office then we'll see what you have to say - amateur!

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