Reader comments
True blue or really red? Utah lawmakers rated

Joe | 1:09 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Am I missing something, or should there be a graphic associated with this story?

RED and blue | 2:10 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

What rating would you give to Obama? He is so very, very blue there may not be a number to discribe him!

Ridgerunner | 3:20 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Interesting article. Why do democrats refer to themselves as the "progressive" party? How is taxing working people to death "progressive"? They say they will only tax the rich but I am not rich and taxes are my biggest expense! How is supporting abortion and same sex "marraige" progressive? How is not having a clue about terrorism "progressive"? How is refusing to allow energy exploration "progressive"? Vote for McCain/Palin because America can't afford more "progress" from the democrats!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 5:36 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Whatever happened to Accountability Utah (Daniel Newby, Terry Trease, Ken Olafson)? Those guys and their scorecard were always good for a couple laughs.

Anonymous | 6:51 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Who decided this "red" and "blue" stuff? This is new in just the last few years--who decided this? Who put the colors to the parties? Plus, I'm almost certain that in the 2000 election the colors were reversed, the Republicans were blue and the Democrats were red, on the big networks boards. So, finally, who changed the colors; but ultimately, who did this? Who decides the colors, and for what reason?

I've been cheated! | 7:09 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Where is the breakdown for the entire legislature?!? I came here to find the graphic as promised in the print edition and cannot see it anywhere. The only graphic I could find is the same one that is in the print edition. Curses! We've been cheated by the D-News again!

@red and blue | 7:30 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

So McCain voted with Bush over 90% of the time (very, very red there may not be a number to describe him),the republicans have held the presidency for the last eight years and the legislative branch for six out of the last eight years yet he is calling for change. Sounds a little like hollow rhetoric to me.

Anonymous | 7:46 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

The only one that cares about these types of rankings are the legislators themselves.

I don't want someone so far either way that they vote just so they can remain the most red or blue.

Just vote with common sense instead of having to appear a certain color.

Oldsopera | 7:57 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Barack Hussein Obama voted with the Democrats 97% of the time and chose a running mate who has been in the senate for 35 years (longer than McCain). This is change?
The red/blue change was made by the mainstream media who were unhappy that the Republicans were the blue states. This just happened in the last few years.

Phil Riesen | 8:03 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Did anyone see Phil Riesen and Lou Diamond Phillips in that Alien Train movie on Sci Fi? He was really good. He should forget the whole political thing and focus on what he's good at, acting.

@Oldsopera | 8:06 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

good point, so why do we keep putting these same two parties back in office if we want change? Who cares what color the media wants them to be?

To Ridgerunner | 8:38 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Good question about progressives. Progressivism is a political philosophy that is often equated with liberalism but is somewhat distinct. Progressives are people mainly interested in social justice who fight for civil liberties and the redistribution of wealth. If you look up "progressive" on a google search you can get a better feel for their political and economic philosophy. A good example of a progressive from US history is FDR and in today's political scene Hillary Clinton.

Ken Goddard | 8:37 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

When it comes to politics, Utahans are so brain dead I could put lipstick on a pig, call it a republicon and it will win office. No reference to Sarah.

Rob | 8:57 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Progressives turn humans into parasites who live by taking from other people.

geedub | 9:19 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Its interesting to note that the most liberal member of the legislature is a former TV anchorman. He fits right in with the Cronkites, Rathers, Walters, ad nauseum.

Cats | 9:29 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

My only comment is to say that Margaret Dayton is a friend of mine and she is a great person. She is very honest, sincere and conscientious in representing her constituents. She's also not one bit afraid of a fight. In that way, she reminds me a lot of Sarah Palin. GO MARGARET!

Bob in line | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I remember very clearly the election way back when Reagan beat Carter. Republicans were blue, Democrats were red. I don't know when the change came in but obviously associating Democrats with Communist Red was too close for comfort for the liberal media. They changed it.

I like the old way. Commy Red for progressives and those who think we are born to serve the state. And True Blue for those who try to implement policies of personal accountability.

Just my two cents on the color notion.

Red or blue! Bah Humbug! | 10:01 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I'll never figure out why the Utahns keep hanging on to the Republican party so strongly. The National Republican party has demonstrated without fail that they don't care for Mormons or any of the things that they stand for. Putting all of your faith in a party because of abortion or gay marriage/rights or whatever is inane and imbecilic!

Are the Democrats any better?!? No. They will strive to bring us down and sell out our country. Socialist and Democrat is the same thing... and it is not good.

Vote for anybody else! Let this Two-Party system know that we don't believe in them anymore.

I may be throwing away my vote, but not my conscience.

depends on your POV | 10:10 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Utah, the reddest state in the country.
Depending on one's cultural POV, this distinction is either a blessing or a curse.

Anonymous | 10:21 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Palin represents the reappearance of the one part of Bush that never died -- the culture warrior. Democrats may have forgotten about the notorious red state-blue state divide, or hoped that the failures of the last eight years had made it go away. But it hasn't. It's been there all along. If Palin catapults McCain to victory, it will be revealed to be the most powerful and enduring force in American politics. And that fact will raise serious questions about the viability of American democracy itself.

Stewart | 10:56 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

So, now "progressive" has become the new term used in describing "liberals" a word that has become a pejorative. This is where the phrase comes from, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig." I suppose there are still some who would kiss it. Now I guess we now have two words to describe a Socialists, liberal and progressive.

It looks like they left UFIRE (Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement) off the ranking list. I suppose that is because they are neither "red" Republican or "blue" Democrat. They are just Americans and are "red, white, and blue."

Louis | 11:19 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I'm a Democrat who agrees that red is the color of Communists and blue is the color of conservatives (including bluenoses and bluestockings).

Paul | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I find it very amusing that most of Hollywood is Democrat, or liberal. You get all these guys who, for a living, act out lives that don't exist. Does this tell you something about the democrats?

Jim M | 11:32 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Too we all could'nt be this way in our political thinking. At kindergarden a teacher noticed that one of the favorite colors was purple. Would not it be nice to take the best from the blue and the red and mix them all together for the best of everyone?

Anonymous | 11:37 a.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Palin's talk of being "on the side of the people" would be more convincing if didn't go around making inflammatory culture-war speeches in which she derides "community organizers" and Democrats. She and McCain are trying to come off like the populist hero George Bailey in Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," fighting fat cats and standing up for the little guy. But their actual beliefs and policies resemble not Bailey's but Mr. Potter's, the ultimate Republican fat cat, stern enemy of "do-gooders," champion of individual initiative and defender of the moral virtues of unfettered greed.

Will anyone notice that Palin is simply a debased female version of Bush? Will the fact that she is obviously unqualified to be president mean anything? Will voters be enraged that by picking Palin, McCain has turned American politics into a sitcom, a cheap farce? Or will the culture war still be a winner for the GOP?

A.M. | 1:36 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Dave Houge a "moderate" Isn't that just another way to say he is "liberal?" Dave tells people he is "conservative" but as with everything he does, he will say or do anything to get elected. There is a blatant lie on his website, where he claims to support something HE VOTED AGAINST in 2006 now he switches parties? Wow...

Disappointed | 1:58 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I thought this was an article about loyalties to BYU and Utah...oh well. All I know is that Palin must be having an impact because I have never witnessed so much nashing of teeth over a VP pick. If anyone has turned politics into a farce it would have to be the grandstanding liberals. Most libs will never understand why the culture war matters in the USA. Utah will continue to be a red state because of the culture war. When the dems really decided to start coming back to the center...then and only then will the Utah Democrats start making gains in the state house and senate.

Oops | 2:10 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I thought this was a story about which school the legislature supported: Utah (red) and BYU (blue).

I guess the colors are reveresed, generally speaking.

Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Folks, I'm a true BLUE, RED blooded American!

This divisive coloring of the political affiliations was foisted upon us by CNN during the 2000 election cycle. They used Red for Republicans and Blue for Democrats to differentiate them on the maps, using various hues of each color to designate an individual during a Primary cycle (i.e. Hillary was lighter blue while Barak was darker blue, or the other way around, during their Primary campaigning).

Interestingly, there is a general historical premise involved here as well. Red for Republicans is very appropriate as red in history has been indicative of despotic, tyrannical and overbearing regimes, while Blue has been for freedom, democratic and pluralistic policies. Examples include the English with their reddish flag and the Scotts with their bluish flag - the Roman church's standard being reddish and the protestants being bluish, and so on.

It's an interesting observation, isn't it?

Is anyone taking note?

nice | 2:46 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

So now "Desert News anaylsis" consists of copying other people's work. Nice.

Anonymous | 3:19 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

This Blue/Red BS is another divisive tactic from our divide-and-conquer conservatives.
And it's been working like a charm.

Steve | 6:31 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Thank you for some political analysis that is really useful. It is time for someone to summarize all these special interest ratings so we can see where the legislators truly stand on the issues and I'm glad the DMN is trying to make this accessible to the public. It's too bad that the ratings come from some of the organizations that are corrupting our political system.

Progressives | 6:34 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Karl Marks,Vladimir Lenin, Pol Pot, Mao; all progressives.Ever read or hear the story of the little red hen? Everyone in the farmyard wondered why she never baked any more bread! In that simple but profound story is the reason progressivism (socialism/communism)always fails and always will fail! Never vote for a "progressive". Most of the evil done in this world has been sponsored by progressives.

Earl Hamiliton | 6:36 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

The State of Utah must start electing good moderate Utahans to our Legislature. The GOP Leadership has been bought and paid for by Special Interest Monies. Greg Curtis has over $500,000 thousand in his election fund. Hardly any of this money has come from little people. His money has come from tobacco & Alcohol, nuclear waste industry, developers and slimy lawyers and HMO's. There is not way that Curtis and the GOP Leadership can represent the average Utahan. Curtis has been caught up in scandals where ever he has gone. He tried to cram vouchers down our throats and the mess with the Jordan District Split. We need to elect Seegmiller, Beck, Black, and the other excellent candidates running in the South Valley Area. Vote Democratic and Save Utah!!!

Re: Earl | 8:04 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Earl, Earl, your comments are so wrong! Where did you get your information about Greg Curtis? None of what you said is true! I suggest you stay off those "progressive" webs sites cause they are not honest!

Re: Progressives | 8:39 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

Socialism doesn't always fail. Look at western Europe. Some countries our more suited for a socialistic style economy than a free-market economy. Yes, a straight socialistic economy in the US is not a good idea, but this country faces super high poverty rates, high murder rates and low educational rates (compared to other industrial nations) something our free-market economy doesn't help with. Thats the problem with political talk in the US, the overwhelming pride and arrogence in our ideals and way of doing things. We claim the US is gods country while everyone else is lead by the devil. Then people in the church try and use the B of M to prove this falsehood, sad, truly sad

Re; Re: Progressives | 9:04 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

I am sorry pal, I am living and working (ex-patriot) in a former communist/socialist country and travel in communist countries frequently and I have seen REAL poverty! America has no poverty in comparison and what few people are in poverty in America is because they are on drugs, alcohol or women with no husband(government poverty studies prove that).
Socialism creates poverty because it forces those who produce wealth to not produce it. Who would start a business in a country where the governement conficates your work efforts?
Been to Western Europe too and trust me, they have more problems than America does, with crime, drugs welfare society and on and on. England and France are especially dangerous now. America is truly the best country on the earth. When I get home, I will kiss the ground and never, never leave again!

Re: Progressives | 9:54 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

You prove my point Re;Re:Progressives, you show such an overly bias love of your country, which is not wrong, but you are unwilling to recognize the US's problems and claim they are best at everything. Fact, the US has highest murder rate out of all industrialized nations, and highest poverty rate

Poverty | 10:16 p.m. Sept. 15, 2008

America does not have the highest poverty rate! Try India,Russia,Cambodia,China,Vietnam,Mexico and ALL the rest of South America! America does not have the highest murder rate either. If you doubt this, do some traveling!

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