Reader comments
Ex-hopeful might sue Utah County GOP

GOP | 6:52 a.m. May 13, 2008

Maybe this lady just plain didn't deserve the nod. Filing a lawsuit appears to be more of simply throwing a petty tantrum for not getting what she wants, and certainly is not the kind of mentality that I would want in my elected officials. It begs to show that the GOP people got it right.

Member of Dist 60 | 7:00 a.m. May 13, 2008

Is it any wonder why she didn't even make it to a primary? I think she has the same mentality that causes our generation so many problems that of blame everyone else for our problems and take no responsibility for our selves. I would be willing to bet if she sues the GOP she might as well switch sides as to get elected to anything in the party. Even some lawsuits can have a silver lining.

Clark Tripton | 7:33 a.m. May 13, 2008

There has never been a question that those in political power maneuver in ways that protect themselves and their friends. I'm sure it was understood by all in the County GOP that this woman was under a false impression and they allowed her to continue with that impression until it was too late. It is foolish to think that the party leadership is neutral or even helpful. It is also amusing to hear those in power encourage others to join the political process and come to their caucus meetings. They don't want you there to dilute their work to pack the meeting with their supporters. Oh how we live in a world of deliberate misguidance and the perpetuation of false beliefs. Ignorance is the primary tool of politics. A pox on all.

Comments continue below

Edward Lalone | 7:58 a.m. May 13, 2008

I'm shocked by the conduct of the County Republican Party leadership. To claim they were only meeting to discuss "future changes" is blatant dishonesty at worst or gross incompetence at best.

If that was the case the meeting could have been a public meeting but when you tell someone that you will meet with them in private and that they will have the opportunity to have witnesses present to help them argue their case you give the impression that the meeting will be determinative.

It's obvious tHousekeeper acted in a timely manner in contesting the results with the Republican Party credentials committee. Did they think she was playing a game, wasting her time, and meeting with them for their personal amusement?

Now she's faced with doing what she would have done had she been informed by the committee that it had no authority. It's interesting that it took them two weeks to tell her that the meeting they set up was something they could have done two years from now.

Edward L. Lalone
Democratic chairmen
Orem Precinct 26

Challenger | 9:05 a.m. May 13, 2008

Maybe, she is right. "all is well in Zion" If someone doesn't stand up for what is right who will?
Republicans WAKE UP!

dbf | 9:47 a.m. May 13, 2008

So how far did she loose by? Would the couple of votes she is concerned about made a difference? Poor article, not enough info.

Mr reason | 10:48 a.m. May 13, 2008

You could be right, however, I would rather have a person stand up for what they believe is true, than have a yes person deciding polocy for me.

I think the repbulican party is in for an long over due overhaul. Thank you grass roots americans!

re: dbf | 10:54 a.m. May 13, 2008

She lost by one vote.

cr | 11:11 a.m. May 13, 2008

With all the suggestions of corruption, why not let the citizens vote! The citizens should have a say!

Mike Ridgway | 11:33 a.m. May 13, 2008

My understanding is that Ms. Houskeeper was kept out of a primary by only one vote. So each and every infraction of the rules and of fair process was outcome-altering in her case.

I so appreciate Ms. Houskeeper stepping up to raise this complaint. I have personal knowledge of so many other Republican challengers who were cheated out of wins who didn't complain, which simply reinforces the resolve of folks like Marian Monnahan and Curt Bramble to cheat the system, since the cost to them for so doing is so completely insignificant.

Ms. Houskeeper's courage may just tip over the domino that starts a lot of dominoes falling. And that could only be a good thing.

KW | 11:52 a.m. May 13, 2008

Oh, come on. If you get on the phone with an underpaid, overworked online help center staffed by people who never made it out of high school, it takes them less than two weeks to say, "I'm sorry, that isn't my department." The Republican Party in Utah County is saying they're less competent than that?

And, if a help center did keep someone on hold for two weeks before saying, "I'm sorry, your warranty expired while you were waiting but it's your fault for calling the wrong help desk," would anyone believe them?

BBKing | 12:08 p.m. May 13, 2008

The sad aspect of this is the actual operation of the convention. The rules are there to ensure all parties are treated fairly. I am sure the Utah County GOP agrees with that. By not following those rules very closely, it ensures that people come away feeling that were not treated fairly.

The future that is spoken of is that of being geekishly close to the rules. Follow every dot, period, comma and number. And when you are doing it be obnoxious about it. Let everyone know exactly what you are doing, why you are doing it and how you are going it. Be loud when you tell everyone about it. Leave no room for error. If two delegates are worrisome prior to the convention take the time, even delay the vote to resolve it by the rules. Nip the thing in the backside, never let it get to this point.

While Mr Skousen is accurate that it isn't their job to inform her, it seems she did it in good faith. And their not responding in time also showed faith, but bad faith.

Sadly, all of this could be avoided.

Travis Foster | 12:23 p.m. May 13, 2008

I'm reminded of bumper stickers that went around after the 2000 presidential election: "Sore Loserman." DeGaston is Utah's own Al Gore. That should brand her well for future success as a Republican in Utah.

"I can" be like the R leaders | 1:40 p.m. May 13, 2008

The Republ"i can" campaign will prove what the Republicans really think. "I can" be corrupt and do whatever I want to whomever I want, at anytime I want. "I can" be dishonest if I am a Republican. "I can" be a member of a one party rule and prove that I rule the state. "I can" lie and steal and absurp the political elections without anyone proving it. "I can" say that anyone who tries to make us follow our rules will be crushed by our very own political fists and put in jail. "I can" be the evil empire to anyone who dares to challenge any of us. This "I can" campaign just proved to me what the Republicans are really about.

Summer | 1:48 p.m. May 13, 2008

I am very sad that my party has resorted to this type of behavior of disrespect to anyone. This woman has every right to continue to challenge anything this party does.

Bart | 2:01 p.m. May 13, 2008

Doesn't this once again prove the old saying that "power corrupts, and absolute power-absolutely corrupts?" There are an awful lot of Republicans who need to search deep down and see if being partisan is worth being downtrodden.

I agree | 2:09 p.m. May 13, 2008

I think that Republican "I can" campaign is a farce. The party is probably going to take credit for the Jazz's win the other day, too. Probably, for the success of Larry Miller's success and then blame any challenger for the NO call when Michael Jordon "pushed off" in the finals and they counted his basket. It must have been a challenger to a local incumbent.

To Bart | 2:10 p.m. May 13, 2008

NO, it is not worth it. I know MANY Republicans who will not vote democrat in the local elections and I believe that they should. I am a Republican, too.

I was there | 3:02 p.m. May 13, 2008

I voted, I was a delegate. I listened to her speech, i listened to her opponents speech. Why does no one point out that Ms Housekeeper attempted at the last second --literally-- to circumvent the rules and to have 10 delegates stripped of their votes?

She outright accused the delegates of having fixed the vote before hand. She alleged that certain delegates were bound to vote for her opponent and did not have a choice. She refused to drop her request until Lt governor Herbert told her NO.

I am pretty sure her tirade cost her some votes she otherwise would have had.

Local elections | 3:05 p.m. May 13, 2008

Though I always vote Republican on national elections, I sometimes find myself voting for the Democrat in our local Utah County elections almost as a symbolic vote of no confidence in whoever that local legislator might be (take your pick).

Edward Lalone | 5:52 p.m. May 13, 2008

We didn't need to attend your County Convention to know that this is wrong. There's a difference of one vote and that vote prevented the incumbent and the challenger from going to a Primary. It's also interesting to note that Aaron Tilton lost his seat in this convention and that almost everyone of the other 8 Republican incumbents barely scraped by. In the case of Linda and Brad it was by one vote.

The candidates and precinct chairs don't understand all of the fine points of the election process so they rely on the County Party leadership to provide that information. Republican Precint Chair Dana Layton said it best when she said, "We attempted in good faith to follow every instruction given to us by our party leaders in order to get a replacement delegate," and "In following those instructions we were still disenfranchised. Being informed of the proper procedure after the fact is of no value."

Republican Kip Meacham representing the precinct adjacent to mine said "We reviewed the 2008 Voting Precinct Calendar," and "This review was void of any discussion regarding any cut-off date for the appointment of replacement delegates."

Edward L. Lalone
Democratic chairman
Orem Precinct 26

russ | 7:17 p.m. May 13, 2008

The GOP was caught using its incumbent power. Go join the demos lady. At least they are honest about their views and business.

I feel sorry for you.

I was there too | 9:05 p.m. May 13, 2008

She did indeed ask the 10 automatic delegates to not vote. The difference is that she had no power and pulled no tricks--almost her entire campaign was based on the unjust appointment of automatic "ex officio" delegates.

I agree with you that she is not a good speaker and that her "tirade" cost her at least one vote of someone I spoke with. But the fact that she is absolutely correct about the abuse of power still got her within one vote despite her somewhat shrill presentation.

And you are putting your head in the sand if you don't think those automatic delegates swung the result. You think Ivan Keller, Lt. Gov. Herbert, the 2 old guys who were Republican county heads years ago, and other party officials who were not elected as delegates by their precinct voted against the establishment candidate?

That abuse and the fact they denied the delegates from some precincts because of a "deadline" that wasn't on any calendar shows their hypocrisy as they ignore their own platform plank of integrity and ethics.

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