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Cannon squeaks into GOP primary

Lots of people are getting schnookered by Chaefetz. Up until working with Huntsman he was a pretty solid Democrat. He has spent most of his adult life bashing the values the average Republican holds dear. I know that early on in the process as he met with last cycles delegates he wouldn't even talk about immigration. Once he talked to enough to get a sense what they wanted to hear, he is almost xenophobic about the issue. Just like Jacobs, Cook and others.

Congratulate him for doing well in a convention dominated by the right-wing of the Republican party. Now he goes before rank and file Republicans, with many independents, and his 'deport'em all' routine isn't going to go over as well.

Nice guy, wrong for the Republican party.

Now to see what the rest of the state thinks.

Leavitt demonstrated he was no "statesman" by sending his staff onto the floor with Cannon signs after he lost and was asked to remove the signs. He just showed he is another typical politician. Also, when asked to remove his "Leavitt Supports Cannon" sign, his staff was very slow to comply as well. Oh well, now Cannon will outspend Chaffetz by another 10 to 1 in the primary and things will be business as usual in DC. Nothing ever changes. When voting in the primary...please listen to Mr. Chaffetz and don't cast your vote just because you recognize the incumbent's name.

Full disclosure, I was a delegate supporting Chaffetz. Apparently Chaffetz came up about 6 votes shy of winning 60% outright (out of ~1,000). The Leavitt campaign resorted to some poor sportsmanship on the convention floor, bringing in Cannon signs after losing (which is prohibited). During the final vote of Chaffetz vs. Rep. Cannon, Mr. Cannon threw a major fit, swearing and all, upset that the Chaffetz people were trying to sway the Leavitt voters in the hallway (how dare they think for themselves once their candidate was out!). In all I thought Leavitt and Cannon showed some very poor taste in the end. All of the candidates are viable Congressmen, but this primary will be very interesting. Well see if Chri$$$ Cannon finally gets voted out in a few months.

Sorry, you apparently listen to two-second one-liners to inform you on politics. Chaffetz is a fine Republican and has been for years. Working on a Democratic campaign because of family ties when a young adult doesn't mean a person is fooling the world now. I will agree with you that he does take too hard a line on immigration though. Overall, I think he has been very impressive in his campaign and he seems like the right guy to replace Cannon, though I disagree on the capital punishment and immigration stances (and I'm sure a few others will also pop up once we hear more).

If Chaffetz lost winning this outright by 6 votes, it wasn't may vote that cost him DC. A bad move by releasing a flyer today about Leavitt was the problem.

Name only will likely get Cannon back to DC. Jason is a better choice than Chris. Perhaps Chris should realize that he should not run and bow out. With using national GOP money, and outside utah support, perhaps it would be better if Cannon represented an other state.

I was surprised Leavett approached Cannon to support Cannon. He either didn't like Jason's caustic negative comments, or was just being a little too proud to help get rid of Cannon.

John McCain is a Republican by title only. Ron Paul is a Republican by action.

There is no such thing as "Ron Paul Supporter" there are only Republicans and McCain Supporters.

The NeoCon "trojan-horse" has been identified and the match is lit to burn it down.

I was at the convention today and I was so impressed with Jason Chaffetz. His speech was incredible. I had been torn between Chaffetz and Leavitt before today, but Leavitt and Cannon both showed their true colors in the end. They colluded to deliberately flaunt the rules. Mr. Leavitt, in his bitterness, was quick to shed the role of the "statesman" he had campaigned on.

Chaffetz remained a class act to the end. I would never consider voting for Mr. Leavitt for any office after what I saw today.

PUHLEESE! Senator Bennett wants ANOTHER term in 2010?

His voting record is not strong on Republican principles, and these days he is nearly a RINO. He has grown too comfortable in Washington to remember he represents UTAH in Congress, not the other way around. He has a sense of entitlement that he is owed his seat, and has become too chummy with the enemy to oppose the wacky liberal left which now controls the Senate.
His past service is appreciated, and has not been as bad as it might be, but it is time for him to end his Senate career.

Thanks for the memories, but NOT ANOTHER TERM for Bennett!

Maybe a real conservative like 1st District Congressman Rob Bishop or Attorney Genearl Mark Shurtleff or Lt. Governor Gary Herbert will challenge Bennett.

Matt, were you even there? I was there the whole time and Cannon did no such thing. I was a Ferguson supporter (In full disclosure) but Chris Cannon didn't do what you are saying he did.

Leavitt did show poor taste in how he endorsed, but you can't blame the guy when Jason was as nasty as he was.

Look, is Cannon the best rep, no. Is he a good guy with a level head, yes. Is Jason either of those things? NO.

Jason is an opportunist who can cry all he wants, but I just don't buy it. I will, grudgingly, vote for Chris, he is a good human being and much more statesmenlike then Jason Chaffetz.

And I was so impressed with Leavitt for practicing EXACTLY what he preached throughout the campaign: take a hard stand. Of course people booed him. Leavitt could have faded into the background, given everyone a handshake and a hug, and be well-liked among state delegates who were there. Instead, he decided to take crap from nearly everyone by endorsing who he believed to be the better candidate for Congress. Would any of you had courage to do what Leavitt did for something in which you believe? Obviously, Leavitt didn't want Cannon to win. But the fact that he had the courage to endorse the guy he felt would do a better job is admirable. Frankly, all your criticism of that makes no sense. Leavitt does not have to endorse your second choice. He has the ability and liberty to think on his own.
Chris Cannon will beat Jason Chaffetz in the primary. Congratulations to the brave Leavitt staffers who made history by doing what they did.
I now open myself up for enormous ridicule...

Go ahead Republicans, keep tearing each other and the country down. The Democratic convention today was a class act. It's no secret they're the only respectable ones left in this town. Like Dave Hogue, I've finally seen that the Utah Republican party is synonymous with corruption, back-room deals, dirty money, and arrogance. It's time for change. It's time to elect Democrats.

Bennett did not keep his word when he first ran for office and said he would step down after two terms. Why doesn't Utah rise up and reject Bennett for this reason alone?? I cannot stand false campaign promises. It's disgusting. Moreover, Bennett has become so calcified in his many years in DC. His Washington County Land bill has turned into a joke as he waters it down more and more to appease the wacko environmentalists. He's stakes his whole political life on that crazy bill, and I'm telling you it's a tragic sell-out to the extreme enviro-wackos. Bennett, why don't you care more about Utah and more about keeping campaign promises than perpetuating your fifteen seconds of fame into repeated terms. Step down. This is the only way you'll be able to look yourself in the mirror in peace when you get ready for the big interview in the sky and the Big Guy upstairs asks, "did you keep your word?"

Mistakes made as a young man? Those are forgiveable. Everyone changes. Jason admitted to delegates that he was a Democrat and very critical of the Republican party and its platform up until shortly before the Huntsman campaign.

Those came from HIS mouth.

He is a world class opportunist. If the 3rd District were 65% Democrat Jason would have been running in that convention. Fact is, he is what ever you want him to be. And he saying what ever sounds good at the moment. His xenophobic rants will run on and on and then he will get sent packing.

And IF by the biggest of mistakes he is elected, he will be as big a joke as Tom Tancredo and will be a one term wonder.

Jason is not a Republican. He is not a Democrat. He is what is best for him. Just watch. Time will prove this statement correct. Tigers don't change their stripes.

That is an appropriate headline. Chris Cannon has been "squeaking" by for years - you know, like one of those vermin that squeaks! Hiding in dark corners, preying on opportunities to make a buck and to line the pockets of his buddies... all a bunch of scavengers themselves. When will voters open their eyes and get rid of such a person?!

U.S. Senator Bob Bennett will obviously face a challenge, should he make the mistake of running for re-election in 2010.

Gary Herbert (20-years younger than Bob and with a few million dollars in the bank) will OBVIOUSLY make a run for the U.S. Senate in 2010.

Is there anyone out there who thinks that Mr. Herbert WON'T 60% a guy like Mr. Bennett at a GOP convention?

In this state - it's a "60-percent" game at convention. Anyone out there that thinks Herbert can't reach that against a guy like Bennett (who only shows up every six-years)?

Herbert for Senate in 2010 (Bennett or not!)

Advice: RETIRE, Bob. You don't want your legacy to include a convention-defeat, right?

The last thing we need in Washington is another politician who thinks the rules apply to everyone but him. I find it disconcerting that not one of Leavitt's staffers had the character to step up and say, "No, I won't break the rules for you."

Apparently Leavitt thinks the rules apply only to other people. No thank you. We have enough David Leavitts in Washington.

One other thing, Cannon was NOT swearing and carrying on. This is PERFECT example of the Chaefetz campaign style.

Years and years ago, Senator Lyndon Johnson of Texas was in a tough race. His opponent was a folksy hog farmer. Johnson was behind and needed something to beat up his opponent. So Johnson anonymously slipped to the media that his opponent had been caught in a sexual escapade, which was not true.

Years later Johnson's close friend spoke about this. When Johnson told his inner circle that they needed to drop this story the campaign manager said,"but it isn't true!" Johnson replied with,"Well of course it isn't true. I just want the whole state of Texas hear him deny it!"

Of course, by denying it you sound guilty as sin. Shakespear said it best: "me thinks he doth protest too much!" Of course, Johnson won that election.

The sun has just barely set on convention day and the Chaefetz camp is already laying their first Democrat Johnsonesque distortions. Why not, he spent almost a year doing it prior to the convention.

The reasons the delegates booed Cannon was not to display dislike but because after the Chairman asked for the candidates to refrain from further campaigning on the convention floor before the final ballot Cannon appeared with David Leavitt on the floor to show that Leavitt who was eliminated in the 2nd ballot was throwing his support to Cannon. All of Leavitt's volunteers stampeded onto the floor with Cannon signs. The delegates were not happy with Cannon for ignoring the rules.

Sorry, but I personally heard Cannon approach several Chaffetz staffers and yell at them using some very colorful language that would make a Stake President blush. As I recall there was a reporter within earshot of the incident, so perhaps it will make the news at some point.

I sincerely hope Cannon loses in the primary, although with the questionable intelligence of the typical Utah and Juab county GOP voters, I don't have much hope.

I could tell there were many Ron Paul supporters at the Utah convention and I am pleased to report that we acted in a very professional manner and represented traditional conservative values of low taxes, small government, free market capitalism, sound fiscal and monetary policy, and a humble foreign policy of non-intervention. I was a state delegate from Salt Lake County and I voted for Dr. Paul in the primary. Most Ron Paul supporters went incognito to the convention and so I think there were many more than people might have suspected. There were many Ron Paul signs and committed volunteers to pass out literature. As a committed Ron Paul supporter, we want to work within the party to return to traditional Republican principles. Kudos to Lowell Nelson for organizing a consensus slate with delegates that were committed to these principles.

I was disappointed that the convention ended without voting on several important resolutions. Also, the proportional representation ammendment to the Utah Republican Constitution was narowly defeated which I thought was tragic as this would have created a much fairer apportioning system of delegates and would have given Republican presidential candidates an incentive to come to Utah and campaign here.