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Race tight between Chaffetz and Cannon

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Anonymous | 12:46 a.m. May 22, 2008
I guess most Utahns are too busy watching American Idol to be bothered with what Congress is doing to their country. Our Congress has the lowest approval ratings ever in reocrded history - 26% - and yet all 3 Utah congresscritters are well on their way tor e-election.

We get the government we deserve - and out government is busy giving away the country.
gouv | 1:32 a.m. May 22, 2008
"Meanwhile, Matheson continues to drive Utah GOP leaders nuts with his 2nd District popularity."

THIS is why partisan politics is an absolute joke. Having met all 3 of our congressmen, it's as plain as the nose on your face that Matheson is the best we have out there, whether you're a Republican or Democrat. I'm glad to see him continuing to hold incredibly strong despite the GOP's redistricting. It's refreshing to see that voters here in Utah are able to look past the (R) or (D) after a candidate's name and vote for the actual candidate.
Jason Chaffetz | 1:53 a.m. May 22, 2008
I know both of these men. It is NOT CLOSE who the better person and representative should be.

Go Jason.
Comments continue below
Dave | 3:51 a.m. May 22, 2008
I think it's clear that it's the immigration issue that is even giving Jason Chaffetz a chance in this election. I hope that Cannon gets booted out and Chaffetz gets a chance to do some good with the immigration problem.
Anonymous | 4:04 a.m. May 22, 2008
*** "it's as plain as the nose on your face that Matheson is the best we have out there, whether you're a Republican or Democrat." ***

There's an immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Democrat Rep. Heath Shuler. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is blocking the bill from coming up for debate. It needs 218 congressmen to sign the discharge petition to bring it to the floor. Matheson claims he supports the bill - he's even signed on as a "cosponsor."

He has refused to sign the discharge petition to bring it up for debate, however. So - he allegedly supports immigration enforcement but won't sign apetition to bring the bill to the floor.

Does that make him a liar? You be the judge.

Better than the others my tush...
Clearly Decided | 5:32 a.m. May 22, 2008
After several months of watching these guys duke it out, I am convinced that sending Chaffetz to Washington DC would be a terrible mistake. For months he has only regurgitated the same rhetoric we have heard every election cycle since 1998. We need more than pulpit pounding, load speeches and shallow thinking to change this country.

Chaffetz has provided no real solutions. His brainless idea of building concentration camps for Illegal immigrants is the type of knee jerk shallow thinking that has gotten us into this mess, it�s not realist. It makes good fodder for a Republican convention speech but would cost the American tax payers millions more than just deporting them. It�s an immature solution to a complicated problem.

I have got to believe that even though congress has its lowest approval rating ever, that there are still good men and women in congress that are doing the right thing for the right reasons. I believe Chris cannon is one of those men. There are two kinds of Horses in congress, Show Horses and Work Horses. After looking at all that Chris Cannon has accomplished he is clearly a work horse with a lot more work to do.
Typical White Person | 6:39 a.m. May 22, 2008
The candidates who will get my vote are those who will:

1. Close the borders and enforce illegal immigration hiring laws. Now, not later!

2. Get gas prices. Now, not later!

3. Open drilling for natural gas/oil in ANWR, outer shelf coasts, and elsewhere. Now, not later!
DBG | 7:17 a.m. May 22, 2008
FIRE THE CANNON!
Cannon is nothing more than a "big government" guy. He rubber stamped all of Bush's policies, many of which Utahns balk at. Do you really want to send him back? He had 7 years to stand up for principles, but yet, he's easily swayed.

He may be a good man, but he's not the best for this job. I'm willing to give Chaffetz a chance and re-evaluate in 2 years his performance. Otherwise, I'll be forced to vote democrat this fall if Cannon slides through the primary.
James | 7:19 a.m. May 22, 2008
Jason Chaffetz has fooled a lot of voters. Talk to those who have worked with him in government prior to his decision to run for office. The entire staff of John Huntsman is supporting Cannon for the simple reason they have worked with Chaffetz.

One Cabinet level Department head reports that in staff meetings Chaffetz was without question the most liberal of all present. Every issue that came up Chaffetz would push for the big government intrusion type plan.

The only thing that has changed is that Chaffetz realizes he has to be Mr Right Wing to get votes, so he does a 180 degree turn and now he is Mr Right Wing.

To typical white person, other than drilling in ANWR, how do you propose a member of Congress should reduce gas prices? Is there a magical bill called "Reduce Gas Price Act of 2008" that can be sponsored? You have part of the issue resolved by opening energy sources but completely miss the mark by your point number two. It implies structured economics, which is a nice term for Marxism.

And any candidate for Congress who can promise you they will happens to be a con-job!

Vote wisely!
Anonymous | 7:26 a.m. May 22, 2008
The vote is between Cannon and "Not Cannon" and Not Cannon is winning. Cannon gets over 90% of his campaign funding from out of state, as does Jim Matheson. When it comes to a crucial vote, both of them vote the interests of their contributors and not the interests of the citizens of Utah.

Although both Cannon and Matheson are listed as co-sponsors of Heath Schuler's SAVE act, but Matheson refuses to sign the discharge petition to allow the house to vote on it. Cannon, facing a tough re-election fight because of his previous pro-amnesty positions, signed the discharge petition in an attempt to do dammage control. Both of them represent what's wrong with congress and should be voted out.
Gretzky | 7:37 a.m. May 22, 2008
this could come down to a field goal for the win!
Never vote for Cannon. | 7:47 a.m. May 22, 2008
I would never vote for Cannon. The guy is a joke. He is Pro-illegal immigration. Fire the Cannon!
see ya later Cannon | 7:54 a.m. May 22, 2008
This is the end of Cannon.

Jason is fresh, has the energy to make it happen and is on the right side of the issues.

Re: James | 7:59 a.m. May 22, 2008
As one who is really interested in this race, what are your sources in saying that all of Huntsman's office is supporting Cannon. If that were true, I think it would tell me a lot about Chaffetz. As of now I haven't found anything definitively proving that Chaffetz left the Huntsman camp under bad terms. Help me find the information.
jim larsen | 8:14 a.m. May 22, 2008
The day that cannon defeated matt throckmorton in the primary 4 years ago he was on ksl radio with his buddy tony yapias and said clearly that " we need these people here ( illegal immigrants) to hold down prices." Cannon has always been for illegal immigration. Big business wants the cheap labor and that same big business lines the pockets of our politicians. Thats why we need term limits. Give someone else a chance. If he does not do the job vote him out.

I really dont believe the bad things said about jason. But do you remember that ronald reagan was once a democrat. He became the leader of the conservative platform. sometimes with life peoples ideals and thoughts change.

i used to think that what was right was somewhere between the democrats and the republicans. I certainly dont feel that now. Go Jason
what a choice | 8:19 a.m. May 22, 2008
I have met both Cannon and Chaffetz while wandering in political circles, and my guess is that they would be just the same on about every issue. The only real differences, as far as I can see, are in personality. Cannon can be incredibly inarticulate at times, and Chaffetz is an insufferable, arrogant blowhard. I can't imagine the democrats putting up anyone who I could legitimately consider voting for (i.e. not a socialist), so I guess I'm stuck between the bumbler and the blowhard. Oh goodie for me.
Bubba Luv | 8:27 a.m. May 22, 2008
I exhort voters in this district to look at Chris Cannon's pathetic track record and choose Chaffetz, despite his relative 'inexperience'. I believe Chaffetz is intent on changing the good-old-boy culture that Cannon has fostered from day one. Cannon is a joke!
BBKing | 8:26 a.m. May 22, 2008
Lot of deep thinkers in this group. Have any of you ever read the bills you "know" so much about? Or just press releases from groups raising money on the subject.

Jason is very liberal. Time will prove this accurate. He isn't going to win anyway. Right now the Australia issue is being resolved in a way that will cause much discussion. I am sorry for that.
Disgusted | 8:34 a.m. May 22, 2008
It's a sad state when our selection is either Tweedledee or Tweedledum. When are we going to have someone with two brain cells to rub together? I am tired of these bottom dwellers being elected or running for election. Knowing both of them outside of politics, I vote to obstain.
Madden | 8:37 a.m. May 22, 2008
Congress is a failure, and the problem isn't just everyone's Congressman but ours. Innuendo and sound bytes are what Chris Cannon supporters use to attack Jason Chaffetz, those who know him and know his ideals will be out there voting Chaffetz next month.

Please get informed, read the Chaffetz interviews, websites, and blogs. Talk to those delegates who studied issues and supported Jason by an almost 20% margin during the convention this month. I think it will be easy to see why Jason deserves your vote.
Anonymous | 8:37 a.m. May 22, 2008
anyone know if Cannon is a member of the CFR? I just wish Cannon would answer my phone calls.
Great Scott! | 8:36 a.m. May 22, 2008
To Clearly Decided - Perhaps you have not been paying close attention. Jason is the only candidate who HAS been putting his neck on the line to offer solutions. Jason's proposal to build detention centers for illegal immigrants who have committed other crimes is a much better solution than the "Catch and Release" program Cannon has been a part of. You're overdramatizing the issue by using inflammitory words undercuts your credibility. Your last statement sounds more like a blind grab at hope than reality.

To James - Unless you have individuals who are willing to step forward and support your baseless accusations, you are engaging in a Cannonesque personal smear campaign because you don't feel comfortable debating the issues.
Re: James | 8:41 a.m. May 22, 2008
Are you calling smilling Jon and his staff conservative?

If so, that's a laugh...

The man who has supported Juan McCain since day 1?
Jo | 8:43 a.m. May 22, 2008
Turnover is the only way to bring change to Congress. Now who will run against that liar Bob Bennett in 2010?
C. Jones | 8:45 a.m. May 22, 2008
Anyone is better than Cannon, he has sold us out time and time again on illegal immigration. He is the biggest amnesty advocate since Ted Kennedy. He needs to go no matter what. Whether its Jason or someone else that takes him out, we need to send a message. In the process maybe Hatch and Bennett will get the message as well.
cr | 8:58 a.m. May 22, 2008
Get rid of Cannon
youngster | 8:59 a.m. May 22, 2008
Everyone I've talked to in 3rd district (about 25-30 people) is voting for Chaffetz. None of them were interviewed for this poll, though .... Haven't come across anyone in my neighborhood who supports Cannon. Where do they find the people they poll?
Look at the numbers | 9:03 a.m. May 22, 2008
The key to understanding this story is understanding those numbers. Remembering that this is a closed primary, those registered Republicans who are likely to vote on June 24 overwhelmingly favor Cannon. Chaffetz may have come out on top in the convention, but he's still the underdog in the primary. Chaffetz can obviously run a good campaign (not that Huntsman was ever the underdog to begin with) but Jason couldn't hack it in the governors office. Don't be fooled: Jason's a good campaigner, but his record in the public sector is dismal.
Ut Co Momma | 9:04 a.m. May 22, 2008
Go Cannon - a man with a CONSERVATIVE record. He is the most conservative member of the Utah delegation. Cannon has excellent staff and is quick to respond to my calls.

Chaffetz is just talk. Nice enough guy I guess but his record is one of pulling a moderate to liberal (Huntsman) to the left. All hat... no cattle.
arc | 9:05 a.m. May 22, 2008
Not everyone is better than Cannon. However both David Leavitt and Jason Chaffetz are.

David is no longer an option, and made the mistake of supporting Cannon. Jason was the only one of the 3 with real solutions and ideas. David was polished, but a video is not going to win at convention.

I hope Jason learned his lesson at convention. (David didn't, still saying he and Cannon didn't violate convention rules - pretty lame for an attorney). Jason should have No fliers saying bad things about Cannon. We have a dozen years of Cannon to know we really want someone else.

Jason needs to continue his message of answers. He doesn't need to say anything bad about Cannon.

I have voted for Jason 3 times. I will vote for him June 24th. Join me and "fire the Cannon!"

Change? | 9:07 a.m. May 22, 2008
For those of you wanting change in congress booting Cannon and crowning Chaffetz is not going to accomplish any change. Sending a conservative that can throw applause lines is not going to be able to convert the Dems to the light. Cannon at least knows the system and has a brain in his head instead of just a mouth. Those of you getting your facts from Chaffetz you should look at the whole picture. He is only giving you pieces. This is what runs the anti Cannon campaign - misconceptions and distortions. Look at the whole picture in context of the system and you will see that Cannon is not the demonic libral painted by Chaffetz.
Pac 10 Alumnus | 9:08 a.m. May 22, 2008
Cannon's interview on the O'Reilly show demonstrated that he is COMPLETELY out of touch with his constituents. I will NEVER VOTE FOR CANNON AGAIN!!

I can't believe that we ever voted this guy into public office.

Chaffetz tough stand on illegal immigration is reason enough to vote for him.
Tubby | 9:12 a.m. May 22, 2008
Through this baby out along with the Bush philosophy of Imperialism. Who will be the court Jester or is it time to have people that care about the fifedom.
Re: Great Scott! | 9:11 a.m. May 22, 2008
Didn't someone call you out as being Jason's Campaign Manger's husband? Given your comments its clear you have an objective and unbiased opinion.
RE: BBKing | 9:12 a.m. May 22, 2008
Can you expound on this "Australia issue?" What does that have to do with this race?
Jeff | 9:12 a.m. May 22, 2008
Chaffetz is cashing in on the failings of 535 members of Congress and blaming Chris Cannon for each one of them. It's easy to be a part of the anti-establishment crowd and yell "off with their heads." It's more difficult to look into voting records and other qualifications and objectively compare candidates.

I hope more people will dispassionetly compare Chaffetz and Cannon. When they do it becomes obvious that there are no substantive policy differences between the two. We would simply be trading 12 years of experience for a newcomer with passionate rhetoric - but no experience or record whatsoever.
Get the Facts | 9:20 a.m. May 22, 2008
Here's Cannon's percentages of Republican delegate support at the last several state conventions.
Remember, the delegates are tasked with taking the time to study the candidates and to decide who they will support.

2002 - >60%
2004 - 58%
2006 - 49%
2008 - 41%

His delegate support has been dropping 8.5% each cycle. Following this pattern:

2010 - 34% at best.

I think the general voters need to take notice what message the delegates are sending them.
undecided | 9:21 a.m. May 22, 2008
Can someone who is supporting Chaffetz explain to me precisely why, other than not liking Cannon. The few times I have had to deal with Chaffetz, he has been an arrogant jerk. I don't care for Cannon either, so I'm not sure who to vote for, but I need something more than Chaffetz's snarky little responses to make me decide to vote for him. Most of what he says are the type of empty soundbytes about "change" which I hear from Obama, but just like Obama, there's no substance there to help me know what he believes.

I tend to be a cynic, so my default assumption is that the next politician will be just as bad as the last. I'm willing to change my mind, but it's going to take more than silly platitudes to do it, and Chaffetz hasn't provided me with anything as of yet.
Scotty | 9:23 a.m. May 22, 2008
I was very surprised at Chaffetz's plan to end illegal immigration by eliminating citizenship by birth.

If that had been the case a hundred years ago, I would not be a citizen today.
See ya Cannon. | 9:24 a.m. May 22, 2008
Maybe you could sneak over the boarder to Mexico to look for work. Whats that, they would kick you out? What an idea?
Clearly Decided | 9:35 a.m. May 22, 2008
Dear �Great Scott� (Chaffetz Campaign Manager Jennifer Scott?),

The only solutions Chaffetz has presented is more spending. Building�$� concentrations camps to House �$� Illegal immigrants will require Guards�$�, Surveillance�$�, and whole new�$� Bureaucracy. This doesn�t include three meals a day�$�, Beds�$�, exercise equipment �$�, Which if we don�t provide will bring The ACLU lawsuits�$�, and the �Jason Chaffetz got us into this mess� defense fund�$�.

Where does Jason Propose to Build�$� these camps...Not in my backyard. Oh, Ok now we have to have impact �$� studies, Public Hearings�$�, New infrastructure�$�. We�re only scratching the surface of the costs. It would be cheaper to buy each and every illegal immigrant a one way ticket to anywhere in the world to ship them out of the country.

The only thing worse than doing nothing, is doing the wrong thing. Chaffetz in clearly not the answer. Jason is a Fraud, a lair and a simpleton. Anyone voting for him must either be extremely na�ve, unaware of his track record (or lack thereof) or cut from the same filthy cloth. God help this country if people like Chaffetz are in the majority.
Got Energy? | 9:39 a.m. May 22, 2008
I just followed a link from Utah Policy Daily about Cannon's efforts on enegry. It went to a press release from his office. I was bit surprised to see that Cannon is already doing something on this to combat the environmentalists to get prices down now rather than later. I also didn't know he is Chairman of the western caucus. I don't know what Chafez has in mind on gas prices but it seems to me Cannon is already there doing the work. I copied part of the release below:

"Congressman Cannon, last night, as Chairman of the Western Caucus, led House Republicans in highlighting the availability of domestic energy. Congressman Cannon, along with Congressmen Smith, Peterson, and Bishop, showed their colleagues the availability of energy in America.

Congressman Cannon will soon introduce legislation allowing the President to bypass regulation and authorize the immediate extraction of oil from shale. Shale oil contains 3 to 5 times the amount of oil as Saudi Arabia and can bring gas prices down this year."
NM | 9:43 a.m. May 22, 2008
I never thought I could vote for Cannon, but the fact that Chaffetz was involved in perpetrating a cruel scam on the folks of Australia really bothers me. It indicates that he does not have the character and honesty to be a representative. Of course, it could also mean that he does not have the brains to know that what he was doing was simply transfering money from one pocket up the pyramid to another pocket. The NuScammers are either too dumb or too dishonest. Either one is a disqualification from serving in public office.
To James at 7:19 am | 9:44 a.m. May 22, 2008
You are smoking funny weed, my friend. Or you are a Cannon staffer. You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own set of "facts." If Jason Chaffets is a "liberal" Kobe Bryant is a Martian. As for your claim that the entire Huntsman staff is supporting Cannon...take another drag.
Puzzling Immigration Policy | 9:46 a.m. May 22, 2008
I'm still trying to figure out what Chaffetz was actually proposing when he said in his convention speech that he wanted to get rid of the constitutional amendment of birthright citizenship. First, how in the world does he propose accomplishing this (passing a constitutional amendment is nearly impossible) and second, what does he want to replace it with? What would one have to do to prove citizenship? This part of his convention speech got a loud applause, but I still don't know what he's actually proposing.
concerned | 9:46 a.m. May 22, 2008
One of the big issues for me right now is energy and its effect on the economy. I think our economy is pulling up and out of recession but we are still walking on a blades edge. Energy and Oil could easily tip us into a worse recession, massive stagflation, or even depression. Congressman Cannon is working to solve this problem which will help our country and our state! He is in the middle of working help companies come in and develop effective technologies to allow us to extract oil from the abundant oil shale here in Utah. If Chaffetz were to be elected we would lose all the ground that we�ve made on this, which is substantial. There isn�t anyone else in Congress that can get this done, it�s that plain and simple. Add that to the fact that we would lose all the influence we currently enjoy in the House and this becomes a no-brainer. We should send Cannon back to Washington. He�s simply too effective and to right on the issues to lose him.
Janice | 9:47 a.m. May 22, 2008
To the D. News and readers: This article continues to refer to the Republican "closed" primary. To really serve your readers -- the citizens -- the voters -- the taxpayers -- you would mention, at least, that voters who are more independent can register to vote in the Republican primary and then register as an independent after the primary. In many counties this can be done right at the polling place. If you want to send Jason Chaffetz to Congress (I do!) do what it takes to vote in the primary. Tell your friends.
EWL | 9:49 a.m. May 22, 2008
I don't think congress is a one man show. Right now anyone with as far right extreme ideas like those of chaffetz and his immigration policy don't stand a realistic chance at getting getting anything done. Chaffetz seems to think that cannon has doubled the national debt single handedly and that he (Chaffetz) can solve the same problem single handedly.
First, I have heard Chaffetz wrongly accuse Cannon and misstating the facts.
Second, it's not a one man show in congress. Chaffetz with his idealistic ideas will plant himself on the extreme right fringes of the representatives and that's where his influence will remain.
Getting My Vote | 9:49 a.m. May 22, 2008
Here's what I'm looking for: substantive differences on the issues. That's it. You can bring up all the personal attacks you want - I won't buy them. I have a policy not to give credibility to any personal attack that surfaces during an election. I don't care what past employees or co-workers have to say, I don't care where someone lives, and I certainly don't care whether another poster thinks a candidate is too conservative or too liberal.

I want to know what policies a candidate is saying he'll support. And if that candidate has a voting record, I want to know if his voting record matches his rhetoric. If the person has no voting record, I want him on the record taking specific positions that we can later hold him accountable for supporting. If he doesn't do what he said he'd do, THEN I'll vote him out.

RE:Puzzling Immigration policy | 9:59 a.m. May 22, 2008
As it is right now, if an illegal alien has a child in the US, then the child is an American Citizen. Chaffetz wants to ammend the law to where at least one of the parents has to be a LEGAL citizen before the child is declared a newborn. The law should have been changed a long time ago. Ron Paul wanted to get rid of the law all together which is a brilliant idea. Just because someone is born here "illegally" doesnt mean they should be granted citizenship. Its a joke!

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