Deseret News | Reader comments: Rivals trying creativity to unseat Cannon

Reader comments
Rivals trying creativity to unseat Cannon

The Math | 1:18 a.m. May 9, 2008

Chaffetz has been saying for months that he refuses to spend money on delegates to get their vote. What does he think those 1,100 postcards cost? Artwork and printing on a postcard (80 cents) + a stamp (42 cents) = $1.22. Two-liter bottle of rootbeer (.90) and bag of unpopped popcorn (.25) = $1.15--who's the fiscal conservative now? In the end, it's the message that's going to win delegates over. Leavitt by far has the best message. He's a statesman and has real answers. Go David!

Nice guy | 1:25 a.m. May 9, 2008

After reading this article, all I can think is what a nice guy David Leavitt is. I've never met him, but the gesture of sending out some popcorn and rootbeer to delegates to thank them for all the harassment they've received is novel. He'd have my vote just for thinking of me as more than just a vote. He has some real class.

Illegal Immigrant Delivery | 1:29 a.m. May 9, 2008

I am a delegate in the third district and I saw a real difference between Leavitt and Cannon's campaign this week. On Thursday, I received one of Leavitt's bags with literature and goodies, which didn't sway me much, but I did have a good conversation with the 21-year old volunteer from Leavitt's campaign. The next day as I was watching out my window, I saw a mexican worker run up to my door and deliver a packet from Cannon. As I opened the door to question the delivery, the man didn't respond and drove off. It makes you wonder who Cannon is employing... I've been a Chaffetz supporter since last January, but after this week I think I'm leaning to Leavitt.

Comments continue below

James | 1:32 a.m. May 9, 2008

I've met with all the candidates. Chris is a dud. Chaffetz is firery, but naive. Leavitt is thought-provoking and inspiring. I wonder who I'm voting for?

Cannon-man | 1:33 a.m. May 9, 2008

I don't understand why everyone is knocking the incumbant? What has he done wrong? I'm sticking with Chris. He is a descent man and been a good representative of this state. I urge others to stick with our man Cannon.

To: The Math | 7:16 a.m. May 9, 2008

You included the cost of delivery in Chaffetzï¿½s total, but omitted Leavittï¿½s cost of delivering root beer and popcorn to the delegates. Please disclose Leavittï¿½s total cost (gas and mileage) and re-calculate your little equation --- and then weï¿½ll see the truth about who was more fiscally conservative.

BBKing | 7:20 a.m. May 9, 2008

I would bet many thousands of dollars that a Mexican/illegal alien in fact DID NOT deliver something to your door. Clearly that is full of crap and you should be ashamed of the lie!

And someone is voting for someone because they received popcorn? Seriously? I don't care the names involved in the race but for anyone to vote for a member of Congress because they got popcorn should just be ashamed.

Having been around delegates I am not surprised. The average delegate will tell you that they think our state legislators should NOT be taking Jazz tickets, free meals, etc. Then try to get the average delegate to show up to a meeting without giving them free food, popcorn, etc. Many delegates run as State Delegates just to get freebies! They want free T-shirts and all the 'booty' they are entitled to. Some delegates really take their job seriously.

In any case, there is no way Jason get's over 60% of the delegates. So for him to make that claim just shows how out of touch he is. And Leavitt, nice guy who gives his closing argument with junk food.

That leaves Cannon.

Andrea B. | 7:21 a.m. May 9, 2008

What impressed me most about David Leavitt was his availability. While Rep. Chris Cannon only seemed to have meetings on the weekends and Jason Chaffetz at odd hours, David Leavitt really tried to put himself in front of delegates who ask the hard questions. Just like this weekend, where David Leavitt had 14 meetings in two days. Wow!

BC | 7:41 a.m. May 9, 2008

Lying about other candidates, pandering to the crowd, and stealing lines from other campaigns does not equal winning the debate. Chaffetz is a political opportunist of the worst kind. Send him back to the 2nd district

Please Remember | 7:43 a.m. May 9, 2008

Good morning - let us not forget which candidate has spent the MOST TIME WITH the delegates, had the MOST number of meetings with Delegates this year, Stayed late to answer delegate questions more often (sometimes past 10 or 11 pm!)

- AND this candidate is the only one who has spoken from the podium At EVERY COUNTY CONVENTION in Utah's 3rd district. Yes, This candidate is the only one who has exhibited TRUE STATESMANSHIP - David Leavitt should our 3rd district's Congressman. He has my vote - and we sorely need LEAVITT-ATION for Our Nation!

=)

rkps | 7:44 a.m. May 9, 2008

Cannon has not been as available because he is still doing the job that the other two are fighting for. He cannot campaign full time and I respect that. I believe that there should be pretty good reason to oust an incumbent. I have no complaints with the way that Chris has done his job, so it is an uphill battle to convince me to vote against him. Leavitt has come the closest in my mind in my years as delegate. Both he and Cannon have run informative, civil campaigns. Chaffetz is another story. It will be an embarrasement if he progresses out of convention.

ABJ | 7:56 a.m. May 9, 2008

I'll I can say is I'm choosing between Chris and Dave. Jason Chaffetz says Matheson is a bigger threat than Cannon--what a joke! If Jason the carpetbagging salesman got out of the convention, I think I'd switch parties.

James | 8:02 a.m. May 9, 2008

Andrea B, Leavitt is available now but if elected he would have the same time restrictions as Cannon. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sets the hours. And that has meant that about the only time that Cannon can meet is on the weekend.

What about the issues? Can you tell me where Leavitt stands on the Unitary Executive? How about Iraq? Iran? ANWR? What about the Comptroller of the Currency's office and Treasury Sect Paulson's plan to move that regulator into a new office? Do you have any idea what Leavitt would do in these incredibly important issues?

I have already asked some Leavitt supporters these questions and not only did they NOT have a clue on these, I asked David Leavitt and he wasn't even aware of some of the them. Clueless is the polite word.

But by all means, vote for him because he sent you popcorn, or doesn't have any obligations so he is available anytime you want.

I swear Republican delegates, we get the uninformed Government you demand we get. So now we should have a popcorn Congressman?!

Holy cow are the Republican delegates doing some serious thinking this go around!

Taylorsville State Delegate | 8:33 a.m. May 9, 2008

fyi to Andrea- The reason Cannon hasn't been around for as many meetings is because he has this little job during the week called representing Utah in Congress! Dave doesn't talk about issues or substance, Jason is an opportunist who doesn't even live in the district, while Chris is building clout for Utah and standing up to Pelosi. Go, Cannon, go!

Long time delegate | 8:47 a.m. May 9, 2008

I have been a long time delegate in Utah's 3rd district. I don't care what Jason C's story is to why he is running in the 3rd district. Maybe, we should have Harry Reid be our Senator when he does not live in our district. I have been an outward Cannon supporter for years. However, I voted for John Jacob and have decided to vote for David Leavitt.

When I looked at all four of the candidates at a debate last Saturday, I decided that I had no reason not to vote for Cannon as many others claim they do, but I had every reason NOT to vote for Jason Chavettz. He was aggressive and looked like a spoiled PUNK who was spouting off some things he did not have full knowledge of.

I will vote for Joe Fergerson before I vote for Jason. Actually, I will NOT under any circumstances vote for Jason. I am not on anyone's campaign nor am I working for any candidate. I am an honest open delegate. With all of that said, I decided that with Leavitt's honest answer of an 8 that he was not pandering for my vote.

Wears me out.. | 8:50 a.m. May 9, 2008

It leaves me in despair to think that our future is in the hands of these many politicians that say and do whatever to grasp the power. Our republic is on the downslide and headed the way of every previous once dominant nation because of an attitude of selfishness and entitlement within the electorate. We've evolved from patriots rooted in sacrifice to whiners asking, what's in it for me. This course has been repeated throughout the history of mankind and there is apparently nothing that can stop it.

Ski Utah! | 8:51 a.m. May 9, 2008

This has been a tough choice for me as a delegate. If these candidates are what they say, then any of the top three would represent Utah's interests. I came into this with a negative view of Mr. Cannon, however as I have taken a closer look at his record and accomplishments, I have found that he is more conservative and much more effective than we have been led to believe.
For example:
an ï¿½Aï¿½ Rating from the National Taxpayers Union;
lifetime 96.3 rating from the American Conservative Union;
For the Border Fence (HR 6061);
For the REAL ID Act (HR 418);
For hiring more Border Agents (HR 4437);
For making repeated attempts to enter the US illegally an aggravated felony (HR 4437);
For establishing an employment eligibility verification system;
For allowing states the right to make their own decision on in-state tuition;
To end "Catch and Release";
In his time, Cannon has sponsored and had passed more bills than almost any members of the House in their first ten years of lawmaking. This proves him to be an effective lawmaker.
Additionally, I found Cannon very accessible and willing to talk.
I vote that he's a keeper!

Long time delegate again | 8:54 a.m. May 9, 2008

I looked at each of the candidate and geninuely liked each as a person. So, how do I make my determination for whom do I cast my precious vote for? I decided that I wanted to vote for one who anyone would want to sit and talk to and who seemed to be the most humble, kind, thoughtful person who upheld my values and standards. That is David Leavitt. This has been a very tough decision for me as I like Cannon, too.

Jason acts like he will be the first person to go to Washington to get anything done. He is naive to think that anyone will listen to his spouting off. A calm person who does not attack his colleages is one who will get my vote. Jason already has attacked the Governor (why did he get fired?) and Cannon (duh) and Senior Senator Orrin Hatch. How does he expect to work with others. I do not see the others as arrogant as Jason appears either. I want someone I feel I'd like to have dinner with no matter if he offers or not. My order, David, Chris, Joe, Jason.

James response | 8:59 a.m. May 9, 2008

Why not get the uninformed government? Utah delegates are NOT what the Republican base of voters are. They will NOT support the same people. In the local races, the party leaders manipulated the results just enough to have our incumbents stay in by a mere vote in most of the races. How did that happen? I heard that a delegate of an incumbent in Utah County actually had two ballots in her credentials.

Ski Utah! | 8:59 a.m. May 9, 2008

Another observation:
The incumbent Cannon is at a disadvantage in today's political climate of dissatisfaction and disenfranchised conservative voters. It's very easy for Cannon's opponents to take pot shots and make predictions of how much they could accomplish in his stead. The reality, however, is that there are fewer true conservatives in Congress than we would like and passing legislation is not a one-man act. I feel that both Leavitt and Chaffetz are acting naive to the process. Chaffetz in particular has a long list of what he would do, but honestly even I could write the same list and go meet with the same people he has met with, and would I be effective in actually passing meaningful legislation? Words do not equate action; action does not equate successful results.

James response #2 | 9:02 a.m. May 9, 2008

What I meant to say was that I heard that a delegate who was the incumbant's MOTHER-in-law had two ballots in her credentials. This is how our party operates. I wonder which one of these four candidates in the 3rd district will lose a primary by one vote?

Conservative? | 9:07 a.m. May 9, 2008

Maybe, I want someone who isn't an Ultra Conservative as my representative! David Leavitt honestly answered a question at a debate saying that he was an 8 out of a 10 in regards to conservatism. This was a stupid question, because some think they can judge another person that way. I want someone who is honest not one who panders to the delegates with his "10" self rating. I want an 8 for my Representative!

Casey J. | 11:07 a.m. May 9, 2008

I am a first time delegate, and I support Jason Chaffetz for district 3. I beleive he knows the issues and it is the issues we should be debating not the normal nonsense.

I do volunteer for his campaign because I beleive in Jason, not because I was offered an internship with a stipend.

Let's all be open and honest about who we are.

1_2_talk | 11:32 a.m. May 9, 2008

What an uninformative article, from our uninformative news agancies. Handwritten-notes, popcorn and rootbeer, are these really the things that matter to the chosen delegates from the respective neighborhood caucases of the Republican Party? What has happened to investigative journalism?

Cannon shouldn't have to meet with as many delegates, because he has a twleve year track record and delegates should be able to do that research pretty easily. I did my research and came to the conclusion that Cannon does not currently understand the propoer role of gov't. He's currently supporting legislation that makes the Federal Gov't more intrusive and not less.

Leavitt is having a lot of meetings, but he isn't saying much in them. Tons of feel-good faith, hope, honesty, character stuff. But very little substance. I have no idea what he's acutally going to do. The Des News has been very little help in this regard either.

Chaffetz mailers have been on topic (politics) and full of issues. I might not agree with all of the positions, but I at least know he has taken a position and will defend it passionately.

Most of the commenters here are also trying to distract from the issues as well.

Leavitt Is My Last Choice | 11:34 a.m. May 9, 2008

My concern is that David Leavitt thinks seats in Congress should only be available to trust fund babies like himself. He is sloppy on public policy. His own mailers contradict themselves and his position on immigration went from pro-amnesty to anti-amnesty in a few short weeks.

I've been leaning Chaffetz ever since I attended his cottage meeting. He won over every delegate in the room that day. He has really done his homework and he is focused on the issues.

My challenge is finding a second choice. I don't agree with Cannon's voting record, so I assumed Leavitt would be my second choice. But at the Salt Lake County convention, I was totally turned off by the tactics Leavitt's staff was using. You can see them for yourself by reading the comments to these articles - what they were saying is repeated verbatim on these Deseret News websites where people can post anonymously.

I guess Leavitt himself won't say anything bad publicly - it looks bad. But he has his staff engaging in a vicious whisper campaign against his opponents.

At least with Chaffetz, what you see is what you get. He doesn't pretend to be something he's not.

Utah Co. GOP delegate | 12:26 p.m. May 9, 2008

Leavitt has clearly run the best campaign and I hope he does well. Why is it that some still criticize the discussions about vision and the "big picture" with a comment like "it lacks substance." What are you talking about? Leavitt has clearly articulated big picutre and small details in his message. Chaffetz is so phony and egotistical it is totally transparent and I am amazed he actually has some support. Cannon is fine and does not deserve all the criticism but a sharper, better option is Leavitt.

politican not a four letter word | 3:52 p.m. May 9, 2008

The title of politician has become a demonic title. This is mostly because those who hold power are under much scrutiny, and power has a tendency to corrupt. This does not by any means make all politicians and those in power evil and corrupt. Being a politician is knowing how to work the system or play the game. This can be a great thing if they are working for the right reasons.

We have some great politicians in our state, Chris Cannon is one of them. In may people's eyes this makes him inherently evil. He is not. He does his job well for the state. The question this election is can any of the other candidates do the job better. Leavitt has the potential, and like Cannon his intent is good. He has the skill to ï¿½play the game.ï¿½ Having this skill is VERY important if anything productive is to happen. Chaffetz lacks here. The enthusiasm and core conservative beliefs are there but the skill is not. He comes across as arrogant, young, ignorant to the system and at times rude and condescending. Leavitt is great, but Cannon does his job well so why replace him.

Anybody but Cannon | 10:39 a.m. May 10, 2008

It is time for a change.

He has had his time let someone else see if they can do it better.

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