Reader comments
Matheson skipping another national Democratic convention

Anonymous | 11:20 a.m. July 25, 2008

Matheson is as slimy of a politician there ever was.
Everything that comes out of his mouth is totally unbelievable.

Utah Voter | 11:20 a.m. July 25, 2008

It is not just a coincidence that Matheson never seems to be able to make it to a Democratic National Convention. Matheson does not want his name or face associated with the radicals who have hijacked the national party. The Democratic convention will be touting issues like abortion on demand and gay marriage.

Matheson prefers that his constituents do not associate him with those types. He also prefers they do not know that he voted to elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, and will vote for her again if he is re-elected.

Matheson cannot win without a large percentage of the Republican vote in his district. It is a fantasy to suggest that he is NOT distancing himself from the national party.

Enrique | 11:25 a.m. July 25, 2008

Funny that Holland and Bestor reveal what they really think is happening (again) with Matheson. By pre-emptively saying that he's not trying to distance himself from the Party, they're telling us what they know to be the common perception...that Matheson takes every opportunity to distance himself from the Party. Congratulations Mr. Matheson on being willing to attend the State party convention...very brave indeed. I guess that's as much leadership as we can expect from him at this point. And his unwillingness to take a stand in the presidential primary was disappointing, even cowardly. The growing ranks of Democrats in Utah deserve a delegate who is proud to represent us.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. July 25, 2008

Yeah, big surprise. "Blue Dog" doesn't want to go. Why be seen with someone you diametrically oppose politically? Political cowardice of the first order.

He doen't want to nominate a candidate?

This NeoCon Bush 'sleeper cell' should tour with Joe Lieberman on the "I'm running out of time" tour.

Matheson: You're a whining, hypocritical toady. I'm voting for the Republican next time. At least he's going to be honest about who he is.

He's a Demo | 11:33 a.m. July 25, 2008

I had no idea that Matheson was a Democrat?! All these years I associated him with the Republican party. Wow was I totally off!

The more you know...[cue star and logo]

jwr | 11:33 a.m. July 25, 2008

We are forgetting he is really a Republican in sheeps clothing anyway

Anonymous | 11:39 a.m. July 25, 2008

Matheson should be tarred and feathered and ran out of Utah on a rail for voting in favor of the housing bailout which included enough pork to make Robert byrd blush. I'm not saying Matheson is any worse than any other crooks in DC but I thought the Deomocrats were supposed to be the "fiscally responsible" party. Yeah right.

Anonymous | 11:41 a.m. July 25, 2008

Matheson knows that infiltrating the other side is the only way to please the wacky, backward Utah constituents.

Anonymous | 11:49 a.m. July 25, 2008

Locally, the D's are more conservative. Case in point...Real Salt Lake stadium. Corroon, a democrat said no to spending $35 million. Huntsman, Curtis and Valentine, all Repubs, said yes.

Kudos to Matheson and Corroon, true Utah democrats and worth supporting this November.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 12:08 p.m. July 25, 2008

ALL you Dem's can also go home now, along with your icon here in this story. Here's why. Plain and simple. President McCain, this bratwurst (that means Germany's worst by the way) is on me, along with my vote's and the "RED swing state votes in Florida", all 35 million of them, or more, and we'll promise you one thing, the Dem's are done, they lost before it even got started, today, they should practice the "AlGore and Janet Reno", sit home and mope, eat lots of pizza and drink beer, grow fat and grow a beard, after they did when they lost BIGTIME as well. We'll also welcome with open arm's Mitt as the VP as well this time around to.

Vote for McCain and Mitt in 2008.

Ted Owens | 12:06 p.m. July 25, 2008

My, my, my. Such vitriol being spewed here. Jim Matheson is a statesman and a scrupulously honest congressman who is doing a terrific job for the 2nd District. He will continue to do a great job when he's re-elected in November by the usual double-digit margin.

jpc53 | 12:07 p.m. July 25, 2008

It is very disappointing that our elected representative would decide that attending the party's national convention is unimportant. I realize that we live in a very (to put it mildly) conservative state, but he was elected as a democrat and not attending the netional convention is a slap in the face to all of us who voted for him.
If he is ashamed to be seen associating with fellow Democrats I suggest that he seriously consider converting to the Republican party and all of their extreme views. I am sure that his father, if he were alive, would be very disappointed in his son's lack of courage to be seen with the leaders of his party, including the next President of the United States.

Utah Resident | 12:40 p.m. July 25, 2008

Bill Dew appears to be soft on illegal immigration.

He has avoided ALL questions regarding amnesty for illegals.

As a lifelong republican I have no problem voting for Jim Matheson!

Anonymous | 1:10 p.m. July 25, 2008

Wow!
Never been to ANY Democratic convention.
Quite telling - isn't it?

Illiyi on the Tao of BCS | 1:12 p.m. July 25, 2008

The post of Brother Chuck Schroeder (BCS) is blurred and indistinct.

How indistinct! How blurred!

Misused apostrophes render any post, including Brother Chuck's, indistinct and blurred.

How blurred! How indistinct!

Roobah | 1:22 p.m. July 25, 2008

Shhhh! Mattheson is saving his pennies to attend the Republican National Convention in September instead.

Mom | 1:23 p.m. July 25, 2008

I vote mostly Republican (not always, I was glad to see Cannon finally get the boot) but I have nothing but respect for Jim Matheson and if he lived in my district he'd have my vote. It's nice to see a politician whose values his family and actually tries to get to know and serve his own constituents.

Senhor Tambor | 1:24 p.m. July 25, 2008

If he wants to be a Republican, he should just say so instead of being such a weasel.

One Lieberman is enough.

Steve | 1:30 p.m. July 25, 2008

Even if Matheson finds the conventions a waste of his time, you'd think he'd naturally want to attend this one as it's quite historic in nature. Seems like he'd want to be in attendance as the first black person is sworn in as the official candidate of one of the two major parties.

Skip a historical event like that so you can be there as your child enters the 4th grade? I'd never do that. What's so special about entering that grade? I think that's just something he's using as an excuse.

I admire Jim Matheson | 1:38 p.m. July 25, 2008

Jim Matheson took a stand for the 2nd Ammendment. He's consistently refused salary increases that members of Congress vote themselves every year, stating that taxpayers want their money to work elsewhere. Matheson is obviously not afraid to cross party lines to get things accomplished. Why do so many people put stock in a flawed system? Why not vote for someone who's working for us and not a political party? I'll vote for Matheson any chance I get.

Dave | 1:45 p.m. July 25, 2008

I agree with other comments in relation to Matheson. Utah Democrats are more conservative than National demos. No surprise there. It is also not a surprise that Matheson would vote and act more conservative as a dem in Utah.

Those who criticize him for not voting and acting like an extreme liberal simply want to weaken him and get him out of office. In reality, among many Utahns, he is well respected across party lines.

I have no qualms with him skipping the national democratic convention. It certainly sends a signal to the nationals that he is one democrat that doesn't support the extreme left platforms they have adopted.

Anonymous | 1:52 p.m. July 25, 2008

High Five to Rep. Matheson. Glad he would rather spend his time serving the public and spending it with his family than waste it postering to the worlds worst criminals. Perhaps he may get my vote for the first time after all. We'll see.

Good Man | 2:04 p.m. July 25, 2008

I think all of you should take a close look at Bill Dew. I have known him for years. He is a genuine conservative, his agenda will be traditonal american values. Please study him before opting for a blue dog demo.

former dem | 2:08 p.m. July 25, 2008

If Matheson does not want to go support Obama, I am all for it. His not wanting to associate himself with Obama makes him much more appealing, Obama and his ilk are in the process of ruining the Democratic party. The party caters to extreme groups and seems to have left out middle of the road, hard working family types.

Midge | 2:31 p.m. July 25, 2008

Oh, I'm sure everyone at the convention will be asking, "Where's Jim Matheson?" "Where's Jim Matheson?" I'm sure the place will be abuzz with people talking about him. Oh brother.

Tom Paine | 2:45 p.m. July 25, 2008

Matheson is putting his political career first. Nothing new for a politician. He wants to survive in Republican Utah, and the only way he can do that is by distancing himself from the Democratic party. Just like Republicans are distancing themselves from George Bush. However, when Obama is elected president, Matheson should expect no favors or appointments in congress, and rightly so. Matheson is nothing more than a Lieberman from Utah who is behind the times, just like Utah is a state behind the times.

John Lambert | 3:28 p.m. July 25, 2008

To jpc54,
If the national Democratic party did not support so many values so out of line with what the people of Utah support than maybe Matheson would go to the convention. However there is a reason Matheson is in congress and Ross Anderson is not. It is because Matheson knows that the way to win an election is to not make half the population hate you by spewing ideas that go against their moral values.
The Democratic party could win more elections in Utah if they put up more candidates like Matheson who understand moderation with enthusiasm and fewer cnadidates like ANderson who think that holding parties that last into the wee hours of the morning is a basic human right.

John Lambert | 3:38 p.m. July 25, 2008

Actually I think Matheson is doing his job by not skipping the convention.
I applaud him for being a good father and taking every chance he has to be at home. I also applaud him for trying to be in his district while on recess. I always thought that was the point of congresses recesses, so the congressmen could go home to their districts and learn what is going on.
Of course it always helps if your congressman has his home in your district. That is why the 3rd district needs Bennion Spencer as their next congressman.

Just Trivial | 3:54 p.m. July 25, 2008

This whole thing is not worth taking your time to respond too. Vote out every single incumbent next election would be more constructive and time effective. We all need a new start and get rid of status quo. Please help us change the direction of this great country voters.

JD | 4:03 p.m. July 25, 2008

I agree that Matheson is a slimy politician. I hate the fact he represents Utah. All of you liberals who think he a really a conservative are way off base. Look at his record, he is a liberal, has endorsed the socialist Obama and is an embarrassment to Utah.

Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. July 25, 2008

Oh, Jimmy.
Skipping out again?
Never been to one yet?
Just what are ya, Jimmy Boy?

Come on, Jim! | 4:29 p.m. July 25, 2008

Come on, Jim, stand up for the party. Running from it will only perpetuate the image of the party in Utah.

really | 6:15 p.m. July 25, 2008

I have a hard time believing that Matheson calls himself a democrat.

Go to the national convention, get up off your knees and declare the truth to the people back home. Good grief, guy!!!

Registered republican | 7:00 p.m. July 25, 2008

Even though I am a registered republican, I am rather impressed with Jim Matheson and any other politician that can take an individual stand on issues without being spoon-fed by the "party" (either one).

Cats | 7:01 p.m. July 25, 2008

I have a sneaky suspicion that the reason he is not going to because he wants to distance himself and not make it too obvious that he is a Democrat. He's been trying to make the case for years that he is fairly conservative. If he goes to the convention and votes for Obama, his cover is blown.

I promise you he will vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker and he will support the Democrat leadership all the way.

If you are a voter in the second district, think about it before you vote.

Pac 10 Alumnus | 9:38 p.m. July 25, 2008

Dew is a John McCain republican... basically a NON conservative willing to sell out principles and the rule of law for a supply of cheap slave labor.

Go Jim Matheson!

courthousesnitch | 11:49 p.m. July 25, 2008

No "Real" Republican would vote for Matheson. This is just politics to try to keep his Republican district in the hands of the Dems. While he doe vote with the values of the district when these votes are allowed - the realty is that he votes for Pelosi et all and real votes that could be made are not because the dems will not allow them to even get to the floor of the House - such as the energy policy bill that was killed by Pelosi.

goputah | 9:42 p.m. July 27, 2008

I am frustrated with Matheson riding the line and not getting any real work done in Washington- his most recent vote to allow Kucinich to try and impeach Bush is the last straw. I want a representative who will actually get things done and not just waste all our time. At the convention or not Matheson is obviously too concerned with relection and less concerned with making any kind of change.

Eric Peckham | 10:28 a.m. July 28, 2008

I suspect Matheson really does not want to be associated with the national party, regardless of what his spokeswoman says. However, his voting record shows that he is not much out of step with the rest of the Democrats in congress, which is probably the worst congress this nation has ever had. They've already broken all the promises they made in the 2006 elections, and they're spending money like mad, which is largely a waste and in some cases very harmful to the security and economy of our country. I have corresponded several times with Mr. Matheson, and have been shocked at his attitude toward issues that most Utahns consider important. He truly has to walk a fine line to satisfy the Democratic radicals in Washington, but get elected here in Utah. I think most of the voters have no idea what he has voted for. It's very important that we shine a very bright light on his voting record. I don't know much about Bill Dew yet, but he would be smart to be the one to educate us about it. If the American people were smart, they'd retire every incumbent congressman and senator this November.

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