Reader comments
News analysis: Cannon: Disunity besets U.S., Utah GOP

139 comments   |   Read story

a proud American | 1:00 p.m. June 26, 2008
I don't know of any other foreign speaking country that sets up TV Stations for English speaking people. I am also tired of the Spanish speaking stations. I mean, they are in an English speaking country. LEARN ENGLISH or go back to your own country. OUr country speaks English!!!!! We are a Christian Nation, quit acting like there is something wrong with that. If you don't like it here, please leave and go somewhere else.
Imigration is what sunk Chris Cannon and the other Republicans that are wishy washy better take note. We will not have this pushed on us! I am ready to throw the whole lot out and start over. And that includes the SUPREME DUMB COURT!
Anonymous | 1:06 p.m. June 26, 2008
What ever happened to the true statesman? America can never recover its greatness until elected officials cease being politicians and become statesmen.
arc | 1:13 p.m. June 26, 2008
"But Cannon says he'll stay involved and may be able to do more off Capitol Hill. He also says he now supports Chaffetz." KSL-TV

What happened yesterday that Cannon would not support the winner? Hatch said he would support Jason, even though he was supporting Cannon.





Comments continue below
IRBoorish! | 1:15 p.m. June 26, 2008
Let's see:
- No border security in POST 9-11 (13-30 million more since Clinton?!)
- Allowed loss of civil liberties BEFORE ever TAKING CARE OF OUR BORDERS? And STILL UN-SECURED!!!
- Enacting compromising bills/precedences against common citizens' civil rights--1) (No) privacy 2)(No) freedom from UNREASONABLE search & seizure 3) attorney-client privy, 4) 'free speech' (no-display or in-person demonstration before a presidential motorcade, etc., etc.- gone)
- Gross neglect of the dollar's gross devaluation here and abroad �Canadian dollar vs US �almost even?
- Abject impotence to deal with your duty: glut-rise of gas AND now natural fuel prices�PLACING AT RISK, the elderly, MANY disabled, our poor, even lower/middle class Americans�including tens of millions of un-documented!
- Historic but compromising precedence after precedence continuing erosion of the Rule of Law of 200 years
- Soft on unlawful business-hiring practices of illegals
- Not upholding statutory laws at the FEDERAL level on especially IMMIGRATION!
- Calloused ears to constituents on the no. 1 issue in the minds and hearts of the "body politic" and I include the media in this phrase...
Finally! Americans, CONGRESS-man--are disgusted with Congress!
Yup, I am boorish. But happy �..for Jason!
ldsliberal | 1:27 p.m. June 26, 2008
maybe chris cannon can get a job with joe at the deseret news?
he could write an ethics in government column.
NOT
Blue Never Doubts | 1:27 p.m. June 26, 2008
Okay Chris...

As your supporters at University Mall said the other day, "He's been in for 12 years."

"Who is going to get Nancy Polosi out?"

A: 1. In twelve years, everything got worse.

A: 2. Polosi GOT IN on YOUR WATCH! Who's to blame?

Uh-huh. Our current...so-called...Republicans all need to go. We ARE sending a message! They blew it for the last 12 years +.

I'm tired of it. If Chaffetz does no better, I'll vote him out too! I want REAL Americans back in Congress.

Thank-you God for taking care of Ted Kennedy for us, nobody in MASS. would! It's way past time!

Good luck Chris...in doing something else. Screw up your own life...on OUR nickle. Every bit of pension is stolen money from Americans!
Anonymous | 2:14 p.m. June 26, 2008
Chaffetz holds the EXACT stance on immigration as Cannon does, and Utah county was willing to wash away Cannon's seniority? Way to go, brilliant. I agree 100% that the delegates at convention were WAY out of line with the majority of Utah Republicans. Completely extreme and crazy. There should never have been a primary in the first place. Just watch, Chaffetz will dig his own grave in Washington. He has no clue.

And what does being first generation Americans have to do with republicans losing? I've lived in Virginia and it's still very white. There's more to it. Ignorance at it's very worst.
Voter | 2:16 p.m. June 26, 2008
Cannon lost because he is a loser. He says he ran because he owed it to his district???? Well, I guess we now realize how much attention he ever paid to his district..."0".
wrz | 2:42 p.m. June 26, 2008
***TO: wrz | 7:32 a.m. June 26, 2008
"Utah is tired of putting up with 5 to 7 cable channels carrying Spanish programs. Utah is tired of the presence of Spanish written everywhere you look."

You can't speak for everyone.***

I speak for myself and millions of others.

***Yes, there are immigrants here and they are here illegally. That needs to be fixed.***

Then let's send them home. End of problem.

***But Hispanic people are welcome here, as are the signs they read and the stations they watch.***

Legals are welcomed. But, I resent having to pay for TV channels in languages I don't speak (be it Spanish, Russian, or Urdu).

***The whole world isn't white and everyone doesn't speak English.***

I have no interest in learning all the languages on the whole earth.

***Open your mind and start seeing what the future holds***

You can see the future of uncontrolled immigration on YouTube, "immigration gumballs."

*** - a beautiful mix of all cultures where we can learn from each other...***

Judging from the turmoil we've seen in this country among the different races thus far, a beautiful diversity is a pipe dream.
Patriot | 2:51 p.m. June 26, 2008


Give me term limits, or give me death!
To Cannon.... | 3:26 p.m. June 26, 2008
the best of luck....
To St George | 3:28 p.m. June 26, 2008

You're smoking something... Or been in the St. George sun too long.

We're going to be 'stuck' with an oil based economy for some years to come.

Alternatives are not ready, nor will be for decades.

We need to: Drill here. Drill now. Pay less.
To: "a proud American" | 3:28 p.m. June 26, 2008
Unless you are Ute or Navajo or something like that, you too are the descendant of immigrants. You may be proud, but your words make the rest of us ashamed. I served on mission to Brazil. Many people had some notions of English because there was English language TV, movies, music, etc. In my day people were happy to meet Americans and express admiration for our country. My nephew just returned says: Not anymore, thanks to Bush, and attitudes like those of the so-called "proud American."

Enough of the Bush nightmare. We are a better country than that, and indeed, "this is our time for change."
Frank | 3:29 p.m. June 26, 2008
Cannon says that now he's out of office,he's going to be more candid about politics. Why don't politicians be more candid when they're in office? They never answer pointed questions. They seem to be afraid of offending anyone.
Miskky | 3:55 p.m. June 26, 2008
What the American people and any newly elected politician doesn't realize is that if a new senator or congressman doesn't fall in line with the Washington power structure they can't even get decent office space let alone any meaningful committee assignments. Look what is happening to the Arizona legistlator named Flake. He has tried standing up to the Washington power structure and now he has been stripped of his committee assignment etc. Jake Garn tried to stand up to it and tried to work within it and finally got out.

The only way to get rid of that structure is term limits and turnover all the bureaucrats and that "ain't going to happen" anytime soon.
So, get ready for the Democrat freight train. More taxes, more spending to buy votes, amnesty for Illegal Aliens, more entitlements, more senseless energy solutions like turning food into fuel and conserving our way out of this energy mess, etc.

The Democrats in Utah want the peoples' vote but what they offer is just more of the lock step national party line. And to Republicans, being compassionate doesn't mean to be stupid..a la Republican and Governor Huntsman's immigration stance..!
C-Span Viewer | 4:36 p.m. June 26, 2008
One night I watched a Congressional Hearing on C-Span. I don't remember the topic, but I heard the Chair call on Mr. Cannon. I had never heard him speak before so I was interested in what our representative had to add and the questions he would pose.

I couldn't believe my ears when he started babbling--yes, babbling--about something completely off topic. After a respectful time, the Chair interrupted and said "Uh, Mr. Cannon, we're here to discuss ..... Do you have something on that subject? I felt so embarrassed for Utah!

Good riddance; too bad you won't give back your retirement monies to the people that overpaid you.
Cannon Lover | 4:54 p.m. June 26, 2008
Cannon's comments show how incumbents, especially long term incumbents feel entitled to their positions. I think after 12 years its clear that he was more interested in "what's in it for Chris than what's in it for Utah". I think Hatch and Bennett are in essentially the same position. By being essentially a one party state Utah has made itself inconsequential to the nationwide scheme of things. Republicans don't do much for us because they think that we will vote their way no matter what and democrats don't do much for us because they think we are a lost cause. Here's for throwing out all of the incumbents.
A Sad Day | 5:02 p.m. June 26, 2008
Jason Chaffetz is an angry radical right winger who really does not represent Utah. First of all, he has NO understanding of the 14th Ammendment. He wants to prohibit "anchor babies" from getting citizenship. In order to do so, it requires much more than an act of Congress. It requires repealing the 14th Ammendment.

I am a Democrat, but I have a lot of respect for Cannon, because he was never into the radical idea of punishing children for the "sins of the fathers." Why should we deny federal loans to students who were likely carried by their parents across the border but graduated from high school here? Why do we accept Chaffetez's bitter racist argument on this matter?

I would encourage those Republicans with a consciense to vote Democratic as a protest. Led by Barack Obama, "Yes we can!" We can look past hate and race issues and unite the country while people like Chaffetz (who doesn't even live in the district) seek to tear us apart.
Concerned Republican | 5:03 p.m. June 26, 2008
The Republican leadership in Utah is simply out of touch. They've become insular -- they protect themselves, create party rules that try to insure that incumbents are re-elected, they support bozos like Buttars and others, etc. We need leaders that are willing to get back to core principles -- small government, low taxes, strong defense.

Today, we are too mired in the thick of thin issues. Our leaders babble about issues that don't matter -- from the latest social "crisis" to ranting on and on about how anti-American democrats are (Cannon did this ALL the time). Yet when we had total power (Presidency and both houses of Congress) we did nothing -- did not cut taxes or lower the size of govenment.

It's time for new Republican leadership in Utah and in Washington. We should throw all the bumbs out this year and start fresh.
ST. GEORGE | 6:04 p.m. June 26, 2008
To St George | 3:28 p.m. June 26, 2008

Exactly why we need these policies and legislation passed today! Drilling and Exploring will take a minimum of 5 years. We could be half way to a alternative renewable energy society by then.

The current politicians and BIG OIL have wasted the last 30+ years not learning from the 70s oil crisis.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT TODAY----NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL, OR WE WILL NEVER BE FREE AND SECURE!

Do you want to continue to subsidize the World�s source of oil, by paying $8 Billion per month and having our soliders die?
stephen | 6:06 p.m. June 26, 2008
cannon....you're whats' wrong with washington...what a sore loser. Crying all the way to anonymity. If he had done your job, you'd still be in it.

Yes, people are tired of politics as usual. And it's too bad that Hatch won't be looking over his shoulder either. I think he's lost touch with his constituents. It's business as usual for him. He has become nothing more than a "professional" politician. Hmmm...he kind of reminds me of another senator many moons ago who was accused of being out of touch with his constituents....Frank Moss anyone?

Cannon, stop wining and go get a real job now. Join the workforce. Naturally, you won't really complain since you've got such a sweet retirement nest egg.

What amazes me most though is that we are all forgetting that this country is in its situation not because of the republicans but because of the democratic controlled congress..or have we forgotten?
ST. GEORGE | 6:16 p.m. June 26, 2008
stephen | 6:06 p.m. June 26, 2008

Oh yeah, the Democrat Dick Cheney was in control of the CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS THAT SET OUR Nations Energy Policy. The Democrat�s are the one�s who resisted increasing the CAF� Standards, which by the way are a joke, 20 years to get to 35 mpg.

THE MESS WE ARE IN IS DUE TO THE GOP UNDER GWB, having two goals---- drill in ANWR, make Billions during the current Energy Crisis.

Just so all of you know, I am a REPUBLICAN, at least for a while longer, trying to get the party to WAKE UP!
JH | 6:17 p.m. June 26, 2008
Isn't it amazing that when one party presides it falls into the trap of "ACTING Like the other guys (dems) ) What we have here is a "Republicrat" or a declared repulican voting as a Democrat. The country club elite have appealed down through the ranks and there are a lot of takers. His going is the same as dimissing a Democrat and I mean his policy and stride were in step with Democrats.......It is part of cleaning and taking care of our own house.....who's next!? Those who voted should be proud of the results and those who didn't need to make sure they shut up. They had the opportunity to let their vote be heard and either didn't exist or didn't show.
Charles | 7:32 p.m. June 26, 2008
Paperboy said, "to the progressive, yet sensible, ideas of the Democrats, who have moved to take the middle ground of the political spectrum."

Can you please provide examples of what positions by Democrats you think are middle ground?

I can't think of one.
Ken Goddard | 7:34 p.m. June 26, 2008
I feel sorry for McCain who should have been president rather than Bush. His timing could not be worse. McCain hasn't a chance due to the 8 year taint of Bush and Cheney and the republicon controlled congress. And it appears we are facing a banking crisis of major proportions let alone all the other problems.
Proud Spanish Broadcaster | 7:35 p.m. June 26, 2008
"Proud American" wrote:
"I don't know of any other foreign speaking country that sets up TV Stations for English speaking people. I am also tired of the Spanish speaking stations. I mean, they are in an English speaking country. LEARN ENGLISH or go back to your own country. OUr country speaks English!!!!!"

You have no comprehension of the First Ammendment which protects speech in any language whether it be English, Japanese or Swahili.

I manage a Spanish language radio station in Idaho and am offended by your suggestion. If the market forces permit broadcasting in a specific language, why not? And your suggestion that my listeners don't know English is simply false.

I remember listening to German language stations that played polka music while living in North Dakota as a child. Nobody seemed to mind that, but when it comes to other languages, people tend to point fingers. Unfortunately, those who do so tend to be racially insensitive.

And as Chris Cannon so eloquently stated, we all are immigrants in this country. The only "natives" are the native Americans and the Mexicans who occupied most of the southwest.

!Viva la diferencia!
John | 8:11 p.m. June 26, 2008
Chaffetz gave us a traditional Reagan Republican choice, which is what most Republicans in utah, and in other states are begging for.

Cannon has done an adequate to good job, but no longer had the zeal to fight for conservative causes or bills.

Hatch, and especially Bennett have also lost their way and have become too comfortable as RINO insiders. They need to be replaced at the next opportunity, especially Bennett.

Republicans must support McCain in November, as squishy as he is, as the only realistic alternative is so horrible. Start now to support a real Republican for President in 2012.
Where was I??? | 9:51 p.m. June 26, 2008
Certainly not at the lake.

I was a LIFE LONG REPUBLICAN.

When we elected the GOVERNAIRE, and they tried to slip VOUCHERS past us, I was so disgusted, I became an independent.

At the Presidential Primaries, I was told I couldn't vote Republican, but I could vote Democrat even though I was independent. I voted Obama.

Cannon, I would not have voted for you, you are an incumbent, and I am voting anti-incumbent, but I was NOT AT THE LAKE, I WAS HOME. Why go to the polls not to vote.

I would have voted for Chaffetz and you would have lost by an extra vote.

Republicans are totally playing this from a pushy, one ticket perspective, and are alienating many Republicans who do not like to be played.

wrz | 10:43 p.m. June 26, 2008
***Proud Spanish Broadcaster | 7:35 p.m. June 26, 2008
You have no comprehension of the First Amendment which protects speech in any language whether it be English, Japanese or Swahili.***

It should. Short of that, Congress should pass laws making English the official language.

***I manage a Spanish language radio station in Idaho and am offended by your suggestion. If the market forces permit broadcasting in a specific language, why not? And your suggestion that my listeners don't know English is simply false.***

My suggestion is that you should take your station to a Spanish speaking country. You'd get a lot more listeners.

***I remember listening to German language stations that played polka music while living in North Dakota as a child. Nobody seemed to mind that, but when it comes to other languages, people tend to point fingers. Unfortunately, those who do so tend to be racially insensitive.***

The German station (and the language used) apparently eventually faded away in America. Will your station and language do likewise?
Good Bye Cannon | 11:39 p.m. June 26, 2008
I have never liked him. How did he ever get elected 12 years ago.

These last 12 years have been painful.

LATER!
I voted. | 11:44 p.m. June 26, 2008
Cannon lost because he flip flopped and supported illegal immigration. He was oblivious to his constituent's wishes. Bennett is next, maybe Hatch. Those of us who vote are mad and aren't going to take it anymore.
JH | 12:58 a.m. June 27, 2008
St George, I'll let you in on a little secret. Bidding for oil rights in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana has been going on with testing and exploration for 10 years. They know what's there, they have narrowed the field from 10 prominent developers to 3. The proposed cost per gallon is at 45 cents per gallon, it was at 18 cents until new regulations took place. There is more oil in Colorado than all the middle Eastern Countries combined. It would sustain our wise use for 500 years with growth. Then we have Wyoming which is 10 times as big as the middle Eastern developers, Montana 2x's and Utah at 5x. Add to the tally Anwar and the Gulf (of and the Chinese are drilling 60 miles off the coast of Florida with Cuba as a front partner)West Coast and the new find in the Dakotas is no small find either. The new technology for drilling doesn't hurt the enviroment and the ability develope new techniques in motor carburation has just begun. We can have our cake and eat it too! The Arabs should sit on it for as long as it takes.........
stephen | 1:08 a.m. June 27, 2008
okay, so it appears that the consensus is that cannon was ineffective and completely incompetent as a representative. Who's next?

HATCH! HATCH! HATCH!
So what are we dissatisfied GOPers going to do about ousting good ol' songmeister Hatch out of office. He just blah blah blahs his way every year.

How bout sending him packing back into the real workforce and earn an honest living. "serving" the people is nothing more than enjoying the perks of power and privilege. Come on Hatch you're old and done. You have nothing new to add to your career. It's now just maintaining for another six years to add to your retirement fund. Write your crappy music that nobody in their right mind would ever buy or listen to. Frankly, if you weren't a US senator, you'd be nothing but a music hack
Good ol boys club | 1:19 a.m. June 27, 2008
I couldn't have been happier to see Cannon go down. Endorsements by Bob Bennett and Orin Hatch were useless and rightly so. They need to go down as well.

You're going to hear a lot of talk of "Seniority" from Hatch and Bennett in the next elections. Personally I would rather have fresh faces and driven servants of the people than the high and mighty "senior" senators we have in office now.

Good for Chaffetz. I hope he rejects Hatch's offer to join the good ol' boys club and sticks to his principles.
Anonymous | 7:53 a.m. June 27, 2008
OBVIOUSLY, "CHUNKY CHRIS" STILL DOESN'T GET IT: IT'S THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, STUPID!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO CHAFFETZ IN THE GENERAL. HOPEFULLY, OTHER REPUB/PRO-AMNESTY TYPES WILL TAKE NOTE.
TEC. FT. LAUD.
To St George | 3:50 p.m. June 27, 2008

Dude. What exactly was that energy policy that came out of those 'secret meetings?'

Take your medicine and come back to reality.

The mess were in is due to politians kowtowing to the environmentalists.

It's not too late to do something. And doing something now is better than not doing anything at all.

PS, I don't believe you're a republican.

Drill here. Drill now. Pay less.
Another St. George Resident | 5:17 p.m. June 28, 2008
Regarding St. George comments.

St. George residents don't utter moronic conspiracy theory ramblings and are willing to show off their 5th grade education to the world.

The one in this thread obviously is the exception.
Moderate party? | 8:39 a.m. June 29, 2008
They couldn't convince the 'moderate' Republicans to vote their way? Maybe that's because 'moderate' represents the view of many more people than 'right-wing' Republicans or 'liberal' Democrats. Create a new party espousing the middle ground, welcoming views from both sides that the majority of the people in this country already espouse. It could happen if a few national leaders had the guts to do it.
Politely Opinionated | 9:51 a.m. July 3, 2008
I think Cannon has done a basically good job for us, but I didn't vote for him for two reasons: 1) he voted for no child left behind. How could he?! Chaffetz hit the nail on the head: the federal government has no business meddling in education. Cannon talks about the evil "moderate" republicans, but representatives who lean towards increasing the power of the federal government only provide fodder for their tax-and-spend colleagues to burn.

Second, as others have said, regardless of what his views on immigration actually are, he accomplished very little. Seniority is meaningless if you can't do something with it. Don't take seniority out of context, Bennett!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image

Rep. Chris Cannon

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Gifts for gamers

There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.

Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet

Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...

Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...

The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...

BCS stable at top, Y. up to 14

TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...

Notre Dame fires Weis

Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...

I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...

Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal

quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.

Understanding translation process

I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

Advertisements