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Low voter turnout: Incumbents fare poorly in key races

Let's drop - for now and for good - the claim that Cannon lost because of the voters who stayed home.

He lost by over 9,000 votes, of 44,000 cast. If 14,000 more people had voted - bringing turnout to 2006 levels - 82% of them would've had to vote for Cannon for him to have won. I don't think even Vegas would give you odds on such a longshot.

What if everyone in the 3rd District had voted?

The polls leading up to the race showed Cannon leading by 44-40, meaning that 16% were undecided. In a year where voters are clearlty upset and the economy is tanking, the 16% undecided is not going to break for the incumbent.

What gets me though is Cannon's plane denial; his implication that the voters are just randomly angry and taking it out on anyone. They are not taking it out on anyone, Mr. Cannon. They are taking it out on the people responsible. What ever happened to "the buck stops here." And you have not been "released," Congressman - you have been EXCOMMUNICATED.

---- "It was a 'pox on all your houses' attitude out there" among voters" ----

Yep - "pox on all your houses" and all that. That's why Rob Bishop was beaten horrbly in yesterday's primary. And Jim Matheson, too.

Oh, wait - they weren't.

Incumbants beware.

National Earmarks and out of control spending.

Local leaders not listening to the will of the people, slipping in vouchers, partying lavishly while their constituents infrastructures stagnate and prices inflate. Teachers are neither respected or paid well, leaving the state in droves, leaving the children in overcrowded classrooms without materials, parents or teachers paying for simple supplies.

A governor endorses McCain while the state is 90% behind another candidate.

The incumbents thought they were invincible.

It's not gas prices, Mr. Cannon. It is the refusal of our leaders to listen to and do the work of the people.I cannot wait until the election and see the turnover of incumbents.

Mr. Governaire, don't read the polls, count the votes before looking for your place in Utah, before you even start to think Washington.

You may represent me, but you will never be MY governaire. And that goes for ther rest of you who refuse to listen to us people.

I'd like to say good bye to all the incumbants who lost there jobs yesterday. Like BO says, (I can't believe I'm quoting BO) "it's time for some change" and that change needs to take place within the republican party.

Low voter turnout? Why?

I agree with Jason. People are disgusted about many things: deficit spending (where is the balanced budget?), power grabs by Bush (signing statements, No Child Left Behind), loss of personal liberties (wire tapping, torture), a war that probably should never have been started, a struggling economy (why the big push by Bush for subprime loans?), etc.

Another possibility for not going to the polls: not much was on the ballot. In many areas of the State the only race was the Treasurer's race which was very confusing. With the Republican party firmly in the hands of a few families and with the "shenanigans" of too many automatic delegates, replacement delegates, discretionary delegates to stack the deck, plus "ballot box antics" such as not checking credentials and not allowing poll watchers, not many races make it out of convention. When the 70% level to avoid a primary was in effect, the public was able to vote more often, and perhaps the turnout might be higher if there were more races to vote on. And, why no primary races for Democrats if they are a viable party? The public will vote more if we let them.

There's really no excuse for voter apathy, but it's hard to get excited about going to the polls when you don't feel good about any of the candidates that are on the ballot.

Out with all of the incumbents. We are sick of the direction we are being lead. I hope this is a national trend. We need new blood that will represent THE PEOPLE. Voters you have the control with your votes to control your own destiny, now go out and do it. Get rid of all of this GREED, GREED, GREED, and back to what made this country the very best in the world--good honest hard working people with some integrity.

I hope that every incumbent is swept out of the federal government. I am a strong conservative and believe both parties have failed the people. It�s time to flush the government fully and begin anew with representatives that remember why they are there and what their actual responsibilities are.

Cannon lost because:
1. He stopped listening, or at least writing back to citizens in the 3rd district.
2. He stopped voting for things he said he was for. His explanations, which have been terrible for 6 years, were finally brought to light.
3. His primary funding was from outside of Utah.
4. His staff was paid. Jason's were not. Can you say work equity?
5. He tried to focus on 3rd boundaries, which should not have been the issue. They were created by his own party and that didn't help.
6. People wanted a change.
7. Jason and his supporters worked harder.
8. 60% of state delegates voted for Jason. 60% of the district did to. That is not a coincidence.

There were move votes cast in Utah County. Jason got more votes than Cannon in Utah County. Cannon lost big in both counties.

When Republicans acts like Democrats, they lose. That's what is happening nationwide. The Republicans lost their soul. As a committed Republican I am heartbroken about what is happening, but I know that we need a shock in order to get us back to our core principles. Those principles are the same as those held by the American people.

Democrats are a motley group of special interests--environmentalists, minorities, pro-abortion groups, gays rights groups, unions, socialists, and on and on. They do not represent the core values of the American people.

I'm afraid we're all just going to have to put our heads down and get through the next few years.

read it a weep cats.

Cats,
You forget that most Utah voters would not disagree with most of Bennion's stands, and he is a democrat. He is not to be trifled with.

May offer a "REAL" reason for the voter turn out?
It is not because of Voter disgust with what is going on, rather it has to do with the Elections were closed to only those that have declared their party (Republican only.

So people like me who wants to vote but do not want to register as a republican or democrat, can't vote.


For those that thinks Jason Chaffetz is the "New" savior for congress, you will get a change from Cannon, but not in the positive way that you think.

He is a egomantic and looks out for no one else but himself, if you think I am wrong, talk to those that has actually worked with him while he was chief of staff.

AND NO, I AM NOT A CANNON FAN......

This is a revolution. A revolution by the people sitting at home" and not voting. "A revolution by those who did vote," said Cannon

You are soooooo wrong! This was a revolution led by people who cared enough, were angry enough to get out and vote and NOT stay home. Quit making excuses. Your performance, or lack there of, cost you your job.

With the defeat of Walker, along with Donnelson and Neuenschwander losing, I think this in an indication of Utah not wanting the ultra right in control. These three were strongly supported by the pro-voucher, ultra-right people. This is a loss for Curtis, Bramble, Clark, Shurtleff, etc. Maybe now we can start to get back some moderates views and leaders who truly represent the majority of the people, not just right wing who tend to dominate the caucus meetings. I predict Edwards will become a great voice for Utah's moderate Republicans.

The Cannon got fired!!! YIPPEE!!! Jason Chaffetz won because of one thing, and one thing only: VOTERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE SAME OLD THING!!! Now, we need the rest of the nation to follow suit and "throw the bums out"!

I could not be happier this morning knowing that Chris Cannon will no longer taking advantage of the good people of the 3rd district. He is so smug and arrogant about all this that it warmed my heart to see him go down to defeat last night.

Now there's only one problem left - The primary was easy for me, but now I have to decide whom to support in November.

The dead-tree media that has been pushing the theory that the candidate who spends more money (read "more newspaper advertisements") wins can't be happy about this outcome. Chaffetz raised less than $100K?

No wonder the DesNews is laying off people.

I didn't know there was an election... Seriously, someone should have at least mentioned it.

I voted for Ellis mainly because of the nasty hate mail I received from Walker. It implied that Ellis had something to do with the amount of money put into the treasury (That is decided by the state representives.and other things that I believe were undesirabl.) No new taxes. How are we suppose to pay for our booming growth? We need A LOT of new schools. I don't want new taxes, but if it is necessary, it is necessary. He blew it with me and I told my husband to vote for Ellis. Ellis has done a good job. Shame on Walker for his negative pamphlets and good riddance.