Himself | 7:40 a.m. June 25, 2008
Alternative headline:

"Trapped GOP gnaws off own foot"
jim | 7:46 a.m. June 25, 2008
Maybe with thier salaries, hatch, benett, and huntsman could buy hearing aids and listen to the people.
arc | 7:48 a.m. June 25, 2008
I am just glad I don't have to take down my yard sign.

Cannon has 6 months to leave a great legacy. I hope he gets more done in the next 6 months than the last 2 years.

Comments continue below
Jessica | 7:51 a.m. June 25, 2008
To Chris Cannon,

Pride cometh before a fall.
Republicans still safe in Utah | 7:51 a.m. June 25, 2008
Republican incumbents may not be safe, even in Utah County, but anyone with an (R) by their name is safe in the 3rd district in the general elections in November. I noticed the Chaffetz didn't raise near the money as Cannon did, but what I find interesting is that at least in Northern Utah County, Chaffetz election signs outnumbered Cannons by at least 3 to 1 and campaign literature delivered to my home outnumbered Cannon's 2 to 1. If Chaffetz didn't raise that much money, who was paying for all that campaign material? This smacks of the Voucher campaign last year, where Parents for Choice in Education complained that they didn't have as much money as the teacher's union, yet the facts on the ground begged to differ with many, many more campaign commercials, and literature than what the anti-voucher forces could generate. I'm just afraid that even though Cannon was thankfully booted from office, that we will simply get more of the same standard politicians being sent to Washington if honesty in campaign funding is any indicator in this primary election.
arc | 7:52 a.m. June 25, 2008
Jim
Senator Hatch does listen. I don't always agree with him, but he writes back when you write to him. Bennett usually does as well. Cannon had forgotten how important that was. He was told last night.
Anonymous | 7:53 a.m. June 25, 2008
My vote was not as much a vote for Jason Chaffetz as it was a vote to fire Chris Cannon. I can't think of one thing he's done in Congress that has been a benefit to our district; if his "seniority" is relevant, he should have used it for good. This is the first election I can remember where he actually posted signs in our area, no campaigning other than that. His arrogance and poor performance cost him his job. I wish every senator and every reprsentative were up for election, they all need to go. For every poll that shows dissatisfaction with Bush, the one showing dissatisfaction with Congress needs to be published as well.
campaining mom | 8:05 a.m. June 25, 2008
My children had a wonderful opportunity to see politicing at its best and, unfortunately, at its worst. My husband and I took the opportunity to jump into Jason Chaffetz campain with both feet. My family spent most of last week handing out door fliers and this week on corners holding signs.

It was a great thing for my kids to see what a difference they can make. They also saw what desperate, dishonest people will resort to. It was a hard thing for my kids to see signs they had helped to place ripped out of the ground and broken, while the Cannon sign next to it remained untouched. I had to remind my children that the people who broke Jason Chaffetz signs had also broken the law, and that we were not going to stoop to unlawful behavior for our candidate to win. It was a hard lesson for children to learn.

Last night was a wonderful experience for my kids. They knew they had made a difference in getting a good man on the November Ballot.

Great Job Volunteers! Here's to Grassroots values and effort!!!
DOH | 8:11 a.m. June 25, 2008
If you want term limits, then don't vote for incumbents. If you want fiscal conservatism, then vote for a candidate who spends frugally during the campaign. If you want campaign finance reform, then don't vote for the biggest spender. This win is a step in the right direction for voters who recognize that the state's delegation in Congress is the voters' responsibility.

"The problem is not that we have a corrupt government - the problem is that we, as a people, have become corrupt, and we have the government we deserve." In other words, if we don't like what we see in Washington, we need some mirror time and some serious thought about what we, as citizens, ought to be doing differently.

The House needs more churning - every two years, there ought to be at least 200 new faces sworn in as freshmen Congressmen and women. But the House is most representative of the will of the people, and if we are too lazy to demonstrate that we want up-to-date representatives with up-to-the-minute feedback from us, then we'll have the kind of Congress we've had for the last few decades.

Good for us - this change will be good.
What a choice | 8:16 a.m. June 25, 2008
I laughed out loud at the one post that recommended we sit down with Jason, look into his eyes, and we would see a committed man, or something like that. I have sat down with him, and looked into his eyes as he talked, and I don't know that I have ever seen a bigger blowhard in my life. I watched him run one of the most dishonest campaigns ever when he ran Huntsman's campaign four years ago, and I was shocked at the sheer ignorance and/or dishonesty that he threw up this time.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like Cannon either, and I have been hoping for a while that he would get beat, because I don't think he has been particularly useful in Congress, nor responsive to his constituents, but I would have much preferred any number of Cannon's past primary challengers who, while not the skilled politician that Jason is, at least were more honest and sincere in their beliefs.

I'm afraid the 3rd District just bought some snake oil from a really good salesman. I can't see myself voting for the Democrat, either, so maybe the libertarian party will run someone.
arc | 8:23 a.m. June 25, 2008
I think it's funny you actually believe that Hatch and Bennett write back when a constituent writes them. That is ridiculous. That's what interns do.
James J | 8:35 a.m. June 25, 2008
You know what the scariest part about all this is, You People Vote! Not only that but you believe that some of these idiot ideas will help the country, God Help Us All.
So What? | 8:38 a.m. June 25, 2008
A Republican beats another Republican in Republican Utah. That's like saying one lump of coal is better than an identical lump of coal, in a coal mine.
whenever | 8:43 a.m. June 25, 2008
Whenever the republican's stop having a "declared"
party vote at the primaries, they will get more votes. Cannon is an egotistical, arrogant snob and doesn't deserve the votes he had -- congrats to any one that opposes him.
Anonymous | 8:43 a.m. June 25, 2008
All I know is it's sad that we had only two options on the ballot

Dimwit 1 and Dimwit 2.

Hopefully Chaffetz will be a one-term wonder and someone respectable will come out of the woodwork to run in 2010.

Sad, really, that morons are the only ones willing to run for office and that 'normal' people want nothing to do with the broken and corrupt process.
Dave | 8:45 a.m. June 25, 2008
It was Cannon's pro-illegal immigrant stance that cost him his job, not the $4/gallon gas.
Helen Wait | 8:48 a.m. June 25, 2008
Congress is a victum of a do nothing Cannon,
How is it all the congressmen state how much we need change but they cant get it done..
I am embarrassed to ever admit to voting for George Bush and the rest of them, when will they wake up???
When will we wake p and demand change?????????
JC | 8:58 a.m. June 25, 2008
All of you seem to have all of the answers...now why don't you put yourselves out there and run for office. Something needs to change alright; it is simply that people need to have integrity!
Mike Thompson | 8:58 a.m. June 25, 2008
No wonder our nation is in trouble. People are rude, arrogant and show no respect anymore. We try to find the worst in people and no longer look for the good. To JT Robinson, I watched this race and who supported whom. You mention ETB. Well, his son, Reed Benson and his wife Mae, had meetings in their home for Chaffetz, while State Sen. Mark Madsen, ETB's grandson, and his wife Erin, campaigned heavily for Cannon. They are both good people, just Jason was better. He can talk, Cannon cannot. He can bring energy back to a presently dying party. And, elect a Democrat? Are you crazy? That leads to more Pelosi, more taxes, more abortion, more gay marriage, more amnesty and illegal immigration, a nation kowtowing to terrorists, more liberalism, more disdain for our military. No thanks. These are not the values we grew up with. Elect Jason. You never know what a good person can do if given a chance and he now has that chance.
embarrassment | 9:00 a.m. June 25, 2008
Chris Cannon has been an embarrassment to Utah for far too long. Has anyone but me even seen him on C-SPAN? He is dithers and foams at the mouth and makes no sense whatsoever. I cannot believe he made it through six terms. Unless people would just PAY ATTENTION instead of just voting for the person with (R) after their name automatically, we are doomed.
Hooray!! | 9:03 a.m. June 25, 2008
Finally! The sun is shining today! I hope this is a wake up call to Mr. Cannon that his soon-to-former constituents actually live in Utah, not Mexico!
What? | 9:05 a.m. June 25, 2008
Just an opinion. Everyone has one.

Cannon tells us he had a good ride. He will now move into private life. He will reportedly make a lot of money. Somehow he thinks he will rise from the ashes of his political defeat like some Newt G.

Jason:

Look closely at Cannon. Do everything possible to prevent becomming like him. Never forget that you can be replaced.



Two Senate Dinosaurs -Beware! | 9:06 a.m. June 25, 2008
Hatch and Bennett threw their weight behind Cannon. Cannon lost big time. Uh - oh! The two calcified ones better start worrying. They're part of the problem that the voters rejected: ineffective, calcified incumbency. Here's hoping some energetic fresh talent takes courage from Chaffetz' outcome and sign up to take on the two calcified incumbents Hatch and Bennett. Yes we can!
Incumbents | 9:07 a.m. June 25, 2008
Unfortunately, the system is set up to entrench the existing incumbents no matter what party they are from or how bad a job they do. All the real power is concentrated into the hands of the party leaders who have been in congress the longest. It takes an extremely horrible mistake by the likes of Hatch or Kennedy before their constituents will vote for a change (and even then it is extremely rare).

Cannon was not the "victim" of our do-nothing congress. He was one of the principle causes of the mess we have in Washington D.C.. It is time we clean house for both parties and send a clear message to congress that the status quo is not acceptable.

Unfortunately, the American voter keeps saying "throw the bums out - except mine" and we don't put any accountability on our elected officials.
DBG | 9:17 a.m. June 25, 2008
Finally, Utahns finally wake up! I voted for Jason because I was willing to give him a chance. I'm tired of the status quo. Then again, we can re-evaluate Jason's performance in 2 years at the State Convention. I've learned alot about the caucus system. I think voter apathy was the biggest reason Jason won. If that's the case, then voters need to be involved with their caucus meetings and get people to run that best represent their views.
Larry B | 9:18 a.m. June 25, 2008
The firing of Congressman Chris Cannon by Utah voters in the Republican primary election is a political earthquake. Hallelujah! The moral of the story is corrupt and pandering politicians who support giving legal status or amnesty to 12-20 million illegal aliens may have their political careers suddenly terminated by the voters. Are you paying attention Senator John McCain?
Eskie | 9:22 a.m. June 25, 2008
Comments from Cannon's former staffer "Cats" confirms everything I have ever suspected about Cannon. My antennae always told me he lacked integrity in the convoluted way he would try to wrap himself around both sides of the illegal immigration issue. He exhibited typical Washingtonian arrogance, fact-twisting, and outright lies. He lost sight of the fact that he is an employee of "we the people." I hope his brother Joe gets the message that many people in Utah are tired of the preachy, self-righteous tone demanding we accept illegals as our own.
TomT | 9:23 a.m. June 25, 2008
I didn't have the opportunity to vote for Chis, but if I did I would have. I'm tired of having to listen to Democrats dominating the media and the Republican encumbants setting around looking stupid. I'm looking for a "take no prisoners" Republican who can stand up to the Democrats and give it right back to them the same thing they are dishing out every day, every hour. I think and hope Chris is that kind of person.
ST. George | 9:25 a.m. June 25, 2008
RE: ABC Guy | 1:37 a.m. June 25, 2008

WHATEVER! Keep a slacker in office, because he has influence with a bunch of crooks in DC?

NOT WHAT AMERICA NOR UTAH IS MADE OF, and as long as the remainder of the Nation wakes up, we will be better off.
Sad day | 9:30 a.m. June 25, 2008
It is sad that one of the few people who could actually solve the illegal immigrant problem was voted out. I don't believe in change for the sake of change. If you are not changing to a better situation, you are wasting your vote. Utah will now have much less influence in congress.
I can understand the frustration of voters, but voting for change and less influence is going to do nothing. Sure, Chaffetz is charismatic and exciting and new, but how far is that going to go to change anything in congress or the nation?
Roger | 9:30 a.m. June 25, 2008
No need to cry for Cannon, he like most all the other thieves back in washington have their nests well feathered, he will be more than fine; just keep your hand on your wallet.
Amazed | 9:33 a.m. June 25, 2008
I am always amazed when incumbent's say if you really want the problems fixed you need my experience to fix them. If that is true why do we had the problems?? If you are really concerned about $4.00 gas prices I must be returned to congress so I can use my seniority to fix the problem.

That is exactly why incumbents need to be removed. If they had done the job they are promissing during elections we would return them to office.

It is time for all memebers of Congress and the Senate to stop making promises, fighting with the other party and work together. If everyone is new the seniority issue is not such a big issue anymore.
Ok.. | 9:36 a.m. June 25, 2008
now lets get rid of Hatch, Bennett and Huntsman and replace them with true conservatives!
David | 9:39 a.m. June 25, 2008
The Chaffetz win last night shows that our electorate is naive and has a fundamental misunderstanding of how our government actually works.

As distasteful as it may be, Congress is what it is. It's an ugly business that arguably (from a conservative point of view) is best measure by what it doesn't do as it what it does. Voting out OUR experienced legislator does nothing to change that system.

Chris was not a perfect representative, but outside of a few issues was a reliable conservative vote. On top of that, he had established himself in the seniority of the Republican party back there. Say what you will about the evils of Washington, this was a good thing. To have a person back there that voted mostly the right way (from a conservative perspective) and to have some power as well, that was a good thing.

Assuming Chaffetz can beat the Democrat, I hope that he can develop into a good legislator. I hope he realizes quickly that his idealism will only carry him so far. And, I hope it doesn't set back our representation here another 12 years.
Henry Drummond | 9:38 a.m. June 25, 2008
I remember a high profile Republican party leader telling me how cannibalistic the party is becoming. I suspect this success will only encourage further challenges at the State Convention and further radicalization of the party. It is no wonder that in the most Republican State in the nation the party is shrinking.
ST. George | 9:46 a.m. June 25, 2008
AFFORDABLE SUSTAINABLE OIL IS A THING OF THE PAST.

TIME FOR THE AMERICAN RENEWABLE ENERGY REVOLUTION.

VOTE ONLY FOR THOSE WHO PLEDGE TO END THE OIL BASED ECONOMY!

TAKE NOTE JASON.
randy | 9:50 a.m. June 25, 2008
with cannon gone .. now its time to get hatch and bennett and bishop out as well ...
like hatch told moss decades ago .. you've been around way too long ... gee ... and i think you add now today ... and have done way too little for this great state of utah ....
incumbents in this state need to go .. challengers need to have a chance ...
in the near future ... when general elections come around .. remember .. incumbents out , challengers in ... (and besides these guys already have a pension - retirement and perk program any of us would love to have voted for ourselves ...oh but wait they did !!)
incumbent out .. challenger in ...
wrz | 9:50 a.m. June 25, 2008
Cannon lost because of his ho-hum stance on the two main issues of the day... immigration and energy.

Will Chaffetz do any better? I doubt it. But at least a message has been sent.

------------------------------

***Jason | 7:39 a.m. June 25, 2008
Now lets get rid of Hatch, Bennett, Bishop and Matheson, as well as every other incumbent in the United States Congress. What a great day! I hope it is just the beginning. Throw them all out! They are all so useless!***

Exactly! These guys think they can nonchalantly sit in their plush offices contemplating their navel while gas prices go through the roof and immigrants pour essentially unchecked over our borders. Kick 'em all out.
FREE AT LAST !!! | 9:51 a.m. June 25, 2008
THANK GOODNESS WE ARE FREE AT LAST! Funny the Lobbyist couldn't buy this one.
Oh Please | 9:53 a.m. June 25, 2008
Great. The tiny group of voters who selected our next Representative just substituted one case of demented policy for another even more demented. Jason "Lock 'em Up and Shoot 'em" Chaffetz will sure kick one through the goal posts in D.C. next year. Whooptedoo.
Anonymous | 9:56 a.m. June 25, 2008
Yes Cannon was an embarrassment- only to be replaced with a bigger rightwing extremist nut job.
Dog | 9:57 a.m. June 25, 2008
One down, about 400 more to go.
whollycow | 10:02 a.m. June 25, 2008
Chris was not a perfect representative, but outside of a few issues was a reliable conservative vote.

I think that's the point. Reliable conservatives have proven themselves to be not so conservative anymore.
Anonymous | 10:08 a.m. June 25, 2008
Mr Cannon at least had some seniority in the House and if Mr. Chaffetz wins he will get a lousy office and put on a sub committee that handles something unimportant to Utah. He talks a good game but just wait till he gets back inside the Beltway and the Big Boys take him down a notch or two. I never liked Mr. Cannon and have often said he lives in his glory days of the Clinton impeachment hearings. He has not been effective for Utah and Jason Chaffetz will be effective either. Who cares about some guy from the 3rd District in Utah.
irrelevant | 10:24 a.m. June 25, 2008
Utah's 3rd Congressional district is one of the most irrelevant in the nation. Just look at who it has sent to congress since its creation. What is hard to figure out is how in a heavily GOP district it can't churn out a lifer Republican congressman/woman like the Democrats have in Maxine Waters, who can say and do whatever she wants and continue to be elected.

Jason Chaffetz will win a couple of terms and then set his sight on Hatch's or Bennett's senate seat when they retire from public life. Hopefully, he will do more than Hatch has the last 20 years.
Angry Steve | 10:25 a.m. June 25, 2008
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Maybe Chris can open up his own hot dog stand now.
Vote them out!!!! | 10:28 a.m. June 25, 2008
As a former republican turned Independant, Its now time to vote HATCH, BENNETT, BISHOP, MATHESON and also HUNTSMAN OUT!!!! These guys are USELESS!! All they care about is their re-election and ultra ego's!! In fact we as a country need to vote all these people out throughout the country and impose term limits of 8 years. Our founding fathers wanted people to serve their country not to make a career out of being a politian!! Its really sad when senators and congressman will vote on a bill only if it doesn't hurt them politically or if it doesnt go against the latest polling or if it doesn't hurt one of their largest donors/"friends". Why cant they do something for the good of the Country? These people have been apart of a group that has Bankrupt our country financially and morally. WAKE UP AMERICA and let do something about this!! Taking from Ronald Reagan with a republican twist, I didn't leave the republican party , they left me.
Slim | 10:31 a.m. June 25, 2008
The Cannon brothers are a curious phenomenon. For years they took government subsidies for Geneva and still ran it into the ground (when other steel cos. like Nucor were wildly successful). Their conservative talkiness is bizarre, hypocritical, and meanspirited. And yet they bounce from one powerful position to another. Chris will do just fine. The power structure will take care of him as it always has.
The Tipping Point | 10:39 a.m. June 25, 2008
The tipping point for me was when I saw the ads from our other incumbent senators Hatch and Bennett in support of Cannon. The yard sign in the front of my state representative's house (Brad Daw) was also in favor of Cannon. All of our do-nothing, apathetic representatives are scared of this anti-incumbency movement and I knew this was our chance to send a message that goes beyond our district.

I think the incumbents know what is coming. It's time for the people to impose term limits and turn the congress back into what it was designed to be - REPRESENTIVE OF THE PEOPLE!
Brittanicus | 10:48 a.m. June 25, 2008
Utah voters ousted Rep. Chris Cannon in Tuesday�s GOP primary, expressing their discontent with the six-term congressman on illegal immigration. The nomination of Jason Chaffetz, a challenger whose central issue was enforcement on illegal immigrants deportation. Cannon alienated anti-illegal alien advocates over the past few years with his Viewpoint that illegal immigrants should have access to state government benefits. Cannon sponsored a bill in 2003 that would have given children of illegal immigrants in-state college tuition. He also supported legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to enter a that was fostered by a guest worker program..



Whereas Chaffetz, proposed the removal of illegal immigrants out of the United States, and also stated he supports removing automatic citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants in the country, that was fostered in error by a liberal court. That American citizens are angry and frustrated with our pathetic elected officials is of no doubt? State Governors, Mayors and the timid retinue of community supervisors who pander to the illegal alien special interest lobby, should be aware of this warning. NUMBERSUSA.

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Jason Chaffetz thanks his supporters and staff as they begin watching election results for the Republican primary Tuesday. Chaffetz beat Rep. Chris Cannon by a landslide in the 3rd Congressional District.

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