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Bennett at center of storm as GOP fights for its future

. . . to say goodbye to Senator Bennett -- and ALL incumbents from both sides of the aisle. Bennett IS the problem, and the rest of the Washington establishment. He'll be 77 years old on election day, and if elected he would be 83 years old at the end of his next term! Age alone should disqualify him. If he insists on running again, only the voters can turn him away at the voting booth.

Cut taxes, slash government, give us back our money and our freedom. Get rid of liberal lies, politicians and thugs & thieves -- whether they call themselves republican or democrat. Judge by actions not words. Less government is a better government.

Think this through. Hatch says we need to keep Bennett. That way, he'll be on the banking committee after re-election. Bennett is not only one of the most liberal Republicans in the Senate, he is one of the worst offenders (including Democrats!) when it comes to earmark spending. Do you really want a man who uses the taxpayer as his pork project piggybank to sit on the banking committee? Do your country a favor and vote the man out. He's had his fingers in our pocketbooks long enough, and has already broken his campaign promise to stay for 2 terms.

In case you still haven't made up your mind, Bennett voted FOR Cass Sunstein. Why? His SLC office said it was because Sunstein's radical progressive views wouldn't affect his performance in the regulatory position he was nominated for. Speaks volumes, doesn't it?

No man is good enough to govern another man without his consent, and I do not want to give my consent to Bennett again.

no scandals... just boring... and ineffective

Bye-bye Bennett. It's time to see you go.
It would be nice to see someone with a plan go to Washington. Not someone that talks about change in nebulous terms and then springs one of the greatest spending travesties on to the American public in the history of the United States.
Get rid of ALL incumbents! Time to get back to the Constitutional roots that made this the greatest country ever.

You can be a do-nothing politician for just so long before the people throw you out. And it looks like the time has come for both Hatch and Bennett to give their seats up to someone who will listen to and work for the people rather than sit in their plush government offices issuing platitudes and unkept promises.

This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also expressed by his local office staff. I remember visiting his Utah County office right before the Bush-backed illegal alien amnesty vote with several delegates. His staff members were unwilling to listen at all, and asked our group to leave. Bennett then joined the Democrats in voting for amnesty.

His support for the various bailouts, coupled with his position in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens, is counter to what most Utah conservatives want, which is why he's seen as a Rino, just like McCain, Graham, Snowe and other non-conservative GOP members. Obviously, he's scared after watching Cannon go down last year, and is attempting to change his stripes, for at the next year or so, hopefully the delegates and/or voters won't fall for it.

I've got to agree with some of the comments already made. Both parties are broken and the American People must let congress know that the status quo is unacceptable. Status quo is destroying the America we all grew up with. I will not vote for any incumbent until Washington gets the message that it doesn't work this way anymore.

Yes, hardly surprising given the extremism of Utah poltics. About 80% of comments here will be Glenn Beck parrots. I grew up in Utah and continue to be surprised and puzzled at the smugness and celebration of ignorance that characterizes the brand of Utah conservatism. I don't know where I belong at this point, but this version of Utah GOP isn't appealing.

We have no use for spend-happy elitists in the legislature. Bennett has gone far out of his way to work with liberals on all kinds of ridiculous legislation and that, not his age, is reason enough to vote him out. He should spend his time opposing liberal bills and finding ways to reduce taxes and spending. Adios senator.

Arrogance is what Washington produces most! Bennett came with arrogance, under the cover of being Republican. If you want a conservative, Utah needs to define the word before sending more liberals that vote with Democrat's. I have tried for years to contact Bennett and never had a response of any kind.

Cool, the repubs will turn on themselves. I won't bother you all as a liberal I will leave it to you.

As the Republican Party moves right the rest of the Country is likely to see a growth in the left of center population as Hispanic and African American populations continue to expand and economic issues remain in the forefront while social issues will remain divisive and negative. While there is the possibility of a new center party, the Democrats will still have a clear edge if the economy shows definite promise going into 2011 and the health care, global warming, and nuclear disarmament all show some progress. The immigration legislation reform bill if it can keep independents comfortable with secure borders will surely help the Democrats going into the 2010 Congressional Elections.

I have to agree with most commenters that we need some major changes in our congressional and state politicians. The back scratching system in place fails the american people.

Too much compromise and not enough backbone to stand up for the american people.

Too much foreign politics and spending while the american people are struggling to survive.

And too many welfare programs feeding off government, our SSA, and Medicare programs that are private and individual accounts.

Not to mention too much fraud, waste, and abuse of tax funds and constant deficit spending.

I'm all for change and constant change to keep out good 'ol boy powers. Seniority is fine for positions in the houses of government, but lifer politicians lose there way real fast and forget why they are there.

Bennett and Hatch have reached the limits of their abilities. Which party has the dominant numbers should have no bearing in running a government or nation. They are all there for the same purpose, represent the people and regulate our laws and enforce the Constitution and keep the separation of powers.

Too many in Washington have succomed to Corporate america and money grabbing schemes.

I'm really digusted that some have stooped to ageism. The worst biggotry against our grandparents.

These next elections are so critical that we really need to dig in with our own research and quit using catch all phrases of the propaganda machines we are hearing every day. Where were these rebel rousers two years ago when we needed them?

All the earmarks of corruption in the banking system were there. Why weren't we paying attention then?

Sen. Bennett's not my favorite but we need to really research this.

I wrote to Hatch about simplifying and lowering our taxes. The Republican party had plenty of years to improve things, but seem like it was status quo. Mr. Bennett seems an nice person, but I think we want more action. And a right wing person is not so bad. Right wing radical simply means you want a market, free enterprise economy. It must be monitored to be sure by the government. Mr. Matheson has not shown much restraint. HE voted for 90% of earmarks vs 87% against earmarks by Mr. Chaffetz.

As a life long Republican, I am as conservative as can be but I get irritated and frankly embarassed at this knee-jerk, reactionary element in Utah Republican party. To say that Senator Bennett is a "liberal" (oh, that's a choice one) is an absolute joke. Only in Utah, as they say. Another brewing intraparty Utah GOP fight fueled, largely, by the EGOS OF OTHERS. Senator Bennett is not perfect, but he's very experienced, and most of all, has the SENIORITY that counts for something back in Washington. You may be sick of "washington" and "how it does business" but guess what? STUDY YOUR AMERICAN HISTORY. It's always been that way! You can't blame one senator for the dysfunctionality of 534 other elected Congressmen and Senators. That's a joke. Bennett is a good, decent, solid guy who has done a lot for this state. He's now on Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee which is vitally important for Utah. If you throw him out, you will not see that committee assignment and influence again in your LIFETIMES!

If power belongs to "WE THE PEOPLE" then it is time to use it and vote out Bennett and the other incumbents! Get a spine and send the message we will no longer tolerate the spin, lying, and manipulation of ruling political class. We rebel at the outrageous spending, etc., that is reminiscent of another revolutionary cry: "taxation without representation".

I have been to Washington 6 yrs in a row and visited each member of the Utah delegation by appt. Out of those six years I have met with Jim Matheson 4 times; Senator Hatch 2 times, Rob Bishop 1, Cannon 0 times, and Bennett 0 times. Yes, it's time for a new face in Washington, one who isn't afraid to meet his/her (Cherilyn Eager)consitutents face to face.

Cherilyn Eagar would do a great job back in D.C. Something missing from our 3 term Bennett.