Reader comments
Tad Walch: Immigration key issue in 3rd District

Bob G | 5:15 a.m. May 17, 2008

We already have immigration laws and they are very good laws. We just don't have enforcement of these laws. We cannot have different degrees of immigration laws that apply to some and not all. Immigration laws have to apply to all and all immigration laws should have severe enforcement, especially when it involves breeching our borders as illegal foreign nationals. There should be no lienency to violators and the criminal foreign nationals in our country. The problem of allowing some to remain and some be deported is the matter of proving who they are and what diseases and criminal backgrounds they have brought with them. They are all foreign nationals that have forced entry, and are in the active process of victimizing the american people and our government. They are all frauds and deserve no sympathy from the american people. Their offspring should be stripped of citizenship because their parents are foreign nationals with no immigration status. The constitution does not intend that illegal foreign nationals and their offspring have any rights to citizenship for breeching our borders and laying claim to any rights in the United States. Our constitution and rights only applies to legal immigrants.

Anonymous | 8:23 a.m. May 17, 2008

It's about time someone wrote a pro-Cannon article. Thanks!

We're in the 21st century and we still have a border with Mexico? If we are still going to have a border, we should keep it as wide open as possible.

Most western U.S. states were part of Mexico. It's time to acknowledge that and let the rightful owners come back.

BBKing | 8:30 a.m. May 17, 2008

Once the Cannon haters have woke up, let them go nuts...again.

First, they attacke Leavitt as being a Prostitute for campaigning with Cannon on the convention floor. I posted the actual rules which clearly show that Leavitt and Cannon where NOT breaking rules when they did it. Last night I spoke with a delegate who was gauled by the Chaeffetz attack because (drum roll please) he was glad handed by Chaeffetz who was doing the exact same thing.

Then they attack Cannon for being ineffective and not passing any bills. Turns out that an independent sources verifies that Cannon has passed more bills than 515 other members of Congress. That puts Cannon in the top 10% of Congress as far as being effective. Actually, top 7% of Congress. And thy have the gaul to attack him for not being effective.

I'm excited that once Chaeffetz is FORCED to answer the question for what he does with all 20 million already here illegally we will get one of two answers: First, he will say deport'em all. Second, some other, non-deport'em all. If he takes the first, he is clueless. The second, it is amnesty.

Cheaffetz learned nothing from the past.

Comments continue below

StateDelegate | 8:43 a.m. May 17, 2008

"He's performed better than ever in debates and conventions..."

You must not have been at the same debates and conventions that I attended!

BBKing | 9:17 a.m. May 17, 2008

I stand corrected.

In reading the actual report I based numbers off of the US House, 435 members. Turns out the rankings are based on both House and Senate, or 535 members. That being the case Cannon is ranked, not in the top 7% but instead in the top 5.6% of the entire Congress, House and Senate.

In fact, Cannon is one place ahead of former Senate majority Leader, Senator Trent Lott. Even fellow LDS member Senator Gordon Smith out of Oregon, ranked 36, or even our very own Bob Bennett at 41. Bob has served in Washington DC longer than Cannon has and serves in Senate leadership!

Further, there are only 9 House members ahead of Cannon. The rest being Senators. Since there are fewer Senators and they have to sponsor the same number of bills as the House, Senators are required to run more bills.

If you measure Chris with just the House, and only 9 House members being more effective, that puts Cannon in the top 2.3% of House members.

That puts Cannon ahead of 425 members of the House, and 80 US Senators. FACT.

As we say in the military CEASE FIRE. Cannon wins hands down.

Great Scott! | 10:17 a.m. May 17, 2008

Chris Cannon is a politician of convenience. He will say whatever he needs to say in order to get elected. He is touting half truths about his work in Washington to make it appear that he represents Utah's 3rd District, but in reality, he represents Washington's interests. Of all his campaign money, he only received $13,000 from 13 donors here in Utah. The rest of the money comes from special interests outside of our state, the majority of which is from telecoms. He claims to be a fiscal conservative, but he has voted for just about every financial bailout that's been put in front of him. He claims to be interested in securing the borders but he voted for the CAFTA treaty which will end our national sovereignty and constitutional freedoms as we know them. He claims to be pro education, but voted for the worst possible piece of legislation ever to be crafted on that topic, the No Child Left Behind bill. Cannon is no friend to his constituents, and he should not be elected for another term. I'm sure that once he is unseated however he'll make a supurb lobbiest with all his "influence."

Robert H | 10:34 a.m. May 17, 2008

The Chaffets supporters on this list are just so amazing.

They have for years now told us how pathetic and incapable Cannon is. Now we have a comparison with how effective he is to everyone else, and turns out he is one of the most effective in the entire country.

So now what lies are we going to be subject to?

And the poor attempt at sarcasm about the 21st Century and having a border. Your sarcastic whit isn't going over to well.

Cannon has voted for over 1,000 miles of fence and vehicle barriers. He has voted for the funding to build them. He has voted to put thousands more Border Patrol agents to enforce that border, and voted to fund that as well. He has voted for unmanned aerial vehicles, new visa tracking systems. He has even supported putting troops on the border and signed the discharge petition for the SAVE Act.

Let's face it, you folks aren't serious about securing the border. You are serious about hating Chris Cannon.

Sad, but that's all this campaign season is about. Those who want good government/border enforcement versus those who simply hate Cannon. I hope good good government wins.

Stewart | 10:36 a.m. May 17, 2008

It looks like there are Cannon supporters out there, There are three on this blog already, Tad Walch(the DesNews staff writer), Anonymous, and BBKing. Walch doesn't understand the issue. First this is not so much pro-Chaffetz as it is anti-Cannon. Electing the same incumbent over and over and expecting different results is political insanity. Second Mr Walch does not understand the opposition to illegal immigration. Not many people want the illegals rounded up and deported. They simply want the labor laws enforced, with the vigor that we enforce the child labor laws. Finally Rep. Cannon is just a poor legislator and advocate for the state of Utah. Since the republicans are out of power his seniority is meaningless and so now is the time to get this change done!

To Anonymous, with open boarders supporters like you Cannon's lose is a sure thing.

BBKing | 11:07 a.m. May 17, 2008

Stewart, as kind as I can be, you are not being consistent with the Chaffetz campaign/Cannon bash crowd. Fact is, Cannon has supported about every tough enforcement measure your side has asked for. As for enforcing labor laws as closely as they enforce child labor laws, that is a new one. In following this debate for a few years now, I have never heard that one before.

The big thing on the labor law the enforcement-only crowd has wanted is the Everify program. I believe Cannon voted FOR that program. How can you fault him for that? And by having supported additional funding for ICE and other agencies Cannon has supported the tough internal enforcement that your side loves.

Beat Cannon up for what he has really done, or not done. Do not beat him up for lies and distortions. That is so insincere and dishonest.

This Chaeffetz campaign against Cannon is a one issue campaign. ONE ISSUE! It is an I-hate-Chris-Cannon campaign. That is it!

His record has been lied about, now we have proof that he's in the top 5% for being effective. I want good representation, not representation by hate.

Please, give credit where due.

Amen | 2:22 p.m. May 17, 2008

BBKing is right! Chaffetz is a dishonorable, untrustworthy hate monger - he is like A cancer that Feeds off hate (in this case - hate Cannon). Chaffetz and his "staffers/volunteers" have been unethical, dishonest and are not worthy of our votes.

Chaffetz is a RINO who is struggling to get organized and fundraise so he can continue his "snake salesman" ways. His "con-artist" methods are being revealed. Misrepresenting David Leavitt was a dirty trick, Jason! Leavitt wouldn't vote for Chaffetz...

Huntsman doesn't want Chaffetz, NuSkin doesn't want Chaffetz and neither do I! Vote for the man with experience and who can vote for himself! Vote for Cannon! #rd district doesn't need someone who lives in the 2nd district to represent us.

And I agree with Robert H, too!

Great Scott! | 2:54 p.m. May 17, 2008

It's interesting how quickly the Cannon supporters feel the need to turn to name calling in order to be effective, while the Chaffetz supporters stick to the issues--which is what this campaign is all about. If I want Chris Cannon out of office (loosely defined by Cannon Supporters as being a Cannon hater), it's because of how poorly I feel he is representing me and this entire district. But to you Cannon shills just keep doing what you're doing; you're just proving that the only way you have any hope of getting Cannon elected is by taking the low road. As for Cannon's effectiveness, would someone please look up the percentage of Cannon bills passed now that the Dems are in power? I think you won't be as impressed with the number.

Bradley Reneer | 3:53 p.m. May 17, 2008

I just think we could do better in Utah. For example, Cannon was probably well meaning when he recently introduced the Credit Card Fair Fee Act. But I think Jason would recognize it for what it is. Basically it's price controls. Cannon may have lots of great reasons for the act but fundamentally it's just another attempt by government to manipulate the market. More regulation, more government control of private business.

If that is what you call effective then we need less of it.

klovesliberty | 5:43 p.m. May 17, 2008

Amen to Bradley Reneer and Great Scott! I think Cannon has done a lot of great things, but he's off on the wrong track, and I feel that Chaffetz is the guy to bring us back on track, representing the values that Utah's 3rd hold dear. Having had numerous opportunities to be around Jason and hear him speak, I've only heard kind, respectful things out ouf his mouth. Any attacks he makes on Cannon are issue-driven, not "Cannon-hater" attacks. He said himself that Cannon is a good man, just not who we want to represent us, and I believe he means it.

James | 9:40 p.m. May 17, 2008

So we have track record showing Chaeffetz and his supporters being just mean jerks. Constant stream of vile, lies, distortions, etc and now he is the nice guy.

Why it was just two days ago that Chaeffetz' camp had a letter to the editor published in this paper calling Leavitt a prostitute. OK, they veiled it by quoting Reagan who compared politics to the oldest profession: Prostitution. It was directed at Leavitt.

This is what Chaeffetz and his supporters have done for over a year now. When confronted on it they claim to be lilly white, pure as the driven snow.

I am so sick and tired of the scorched earth tactics of the Chaeffetz, we-hate-Cannon crowd!

Chaeffetz and his campaign is completely a one issue pony, as BBKing said. It is we-hate-cannon. And they have about 99 flavors they spew it in.

I am tired of this whole schtick of theirs!

Want rhetoric? Vote Chaeffetz
What principles? Vote Cannon

That simple.

Irony | 11:31 p.m. May 17, 2008

Does anyone else appreciate the irony of Leavitt supporters/staffers coming here to accuse Chaffetz of dirty campaigning by making personal attacks against him?

Aren't personal attacks the very definition of dirty campaigning? Leavitt's staffers are upset that Chaffetz attacked Leavitt's positions on issues. Yet they think nothing of making baseless accusations and character attacks - not just against the candidate, but against his staff!

Kids - go pick up a textbook and learn about politics. The adults want to talk about issues now.

LENNY | 11:26 a.m. May 18, 2008

****** HAIL , CHERTOFF ****** NOW SAVING THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST !!! ****** VAMOOS ! ILLEGAL ALIENS !!! ******

Good Gracious! | 1:30 p.m. May 18, 2008

Some of these pro-Cannon comments are so far off base from what the man has actually done! Shame on those of you who distort the truth so badly.

Mr. Cannon sponsored the Student Adjustment Act, a bill designed specifically to support criminal illegal aliens. He actually won an award from MALDEF! The award was for his outstanding efforts to support illegal immigrants in this country.

Mr. Cannon has long ago, abandoned his country, to say nothing of his constituency.

Mr. Cannon is part of the problem, a significant part, no less.

Bobby | 2:59 p.m. May 18, 2008

Listen to the voice of a Cannon supporter citizens of Utah. The poster Anonymous makes it clear Utah was part of Mexico anyway, you must give it back, and Mexico must control it again. It's only right. Some Americans don't get it and never will--you are losing your states and nation to a foreign invasion from one of the most corrupt nations in the world Mexico. The racist ethnic groups, like those anonymous supports, will see to it that your language, laws, and culture, mean NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HAVE AT IT FOLKS, IF YOU BELIEVE SO MUCH IN ILLEGAL ALIEN SUPPORTERS LIKE CHRIS CANNON.

Hon. Robert Lynch | 3:27 p.m. May 18, 2008

Cannon is totally bought and paid for by Washington insiders. People in Utah give him virtually no monies, it all comes from multi-national corporations that own both the senate and the House.
He thinks you are all easily manipulated yokels. WHO lists him as one of the "most effective members of the House?" Effective for whom? Comparing him as "better" than Trent Lott! Lott has been a phony for years. Even as Majority Leader of the Senate the Dems ran rings around him.
Comparing these useless drones in the House and Senate with each other is a shell game.
AWAKE AMERICA, AWAKE UTAH, the enemy is within the gates and CANNON has given them the keys while smiling at you!

Buzzm1 | 5:26 p.m. May 18, 2008

If I lived in Utah, rather than California, I would be backing Chaffetz.

If you aren't, you apparently don't have enough illegal immigrants yet, and I'll be passing out flyers here, recommending Utah as the place for illegals to head to.

Not to worry, the average illegal only costs taxpayers $9,000 a year. I'll only send a million to Utah to start with.

VivaLaMigra | 5:36 p.m. May 18, 2008

Cannon is backed by El Presidente Jorge Boosh and the RNC because he carries water for the Cheap Labor lobby. He never saw a visa program he didn't want expanded, or an industry that didn't deserve its own dedicated pipeline to Third World labor desperate to undercut American wages and benefits. All these worker importation programs reek of Big Government interference in the job market by stacking the deck against US workers.

Bobby | 9:17 p.m. May 18, 2008

The RNC is a truly stupid organization, that I quit supporting because they are spineless to the nth degree and will not work for the American citizenry as Viva La Migra has pointed out. Americans can't seem to figure it out, your Congress is not working for you, as incredible as it sounds.

Mark M. | 11:06 p.m. May 18, 2008

Jason Chaffetz is the real deal - bright, committed, energetic - exactly what the GOP needs. It's time to get rid of the old boys network, and that includes Chris Cannon. If I lived in Utah, I'd be voting for Chaffetz in a heartbeat. Still, I plan to send him a campaign donation.

lance sjogren | 8:06 a.m. May 19, 2008

So Cannon gets a high score in some sort of effectiveness rating for members of Congress?

That is not an argument for him, it is an argument against him.

If you pursue rotten policies, the more effective you are the more damage you do.

However, I have always had the impression that Cannon was a back-bencher.

Certainly he has no clout among the Republican leadership in the House.

lance sjogren | 8:31 a.m. May 19, 2008

Bobby: I think the American people do understand how the RNC is selling them out, unfortunately the only way they can figure out how to make a change is to throw out incumbent Republicans and elect Democrats, which is not quite the answer.

Although, as has been pointed out, two of the Democrats recently elected to Congress in special elections are conservative "Blue Dogs" that don't share the Nancy Pelosi agenda. However, my impression is that Utah Democrats tend to be left wing Nancy Pelosi types for the most part.

Jimi | 8:35 a.m. May 19, 2008

Re-electing this professional polititian is about as smart as smashing your head against the wall, again. This guy does not work for you, he works for agribusiness and slave owners; big business. Institutionalized corruption is all you get with this guy, throw him out and let the new guy know who he's working for. Turning out congressmen every 2 years is about as good as it can get for us. It keeps them shaking in their boots, looking over their shoulders.

Larry Brown | 9:53 a.m. May 19, 2008

The article "Immigration Key Issue in 3rd District" by Tad Walsh is factually inaccurate. The U.S. Constitution does not give U.S. citizenship to every child born in the United States. This is a destructive policy that has slowly taken hold without the intent of the author of the fourteenth amendment or any kind of Congressional or voter approval. No court decision that I know of says that pregnant border jumpers get U.S. citizenship for their children just by escaping the law until until the blessed event occurs. The complete failure of the federal government to enforce our labor and immigration laws has caused corrupt and pandering political and government officials to "take the easy way" with this automatic citizenship malarkey. The "open borders" policy of acquiescing to an incredible foreign invasion via the birth canal will be our nation's undoing.

Sharptail | 12:36 p.m. May 19, 2008

The Constitution does NOT guarantee citizenship to those who avoid "jurisdiction of the USA", Tad...The 14th amendment was put in place to ensure that children of slaves would be citizens, not that anyone pregnant who snuck in could have children that would be citizens!
This needs a clear Supreme Court test; in the meantime an Act of Congress would suffice, pending legal challenges.

Check out the Federalist Blog for background on the Constitutional issue, Tad.

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