Reader comments
'Automatic delegates' win a round
22 comments | Read story
Loren | 4:56 a.m. March 26, 2008
The wheels of justice turn slowly, but let's all hope they continue to turn
in this case. Republican "superdelegates" are a slap in the face to
all of us who attend our caucus meetings and submit to a vote of our neighbors
to win one of the few delegate positions.
Keep it up Mike. There are many people behind you who would like to have a more fair process but don't dare to openly oppose our party leaders.
Keep it up Mike. There are many people behind you who would like to have a more fair process but don't dare to openly oppose our party leaders.
Kathryn | 6:47 a.m. March 26, 2008
Mike Ridgway and others who are against automatic delegates love their neighbors
enough that they are willing to work tirelessly, at all hours of the morning to
1)alert us of encroachments in the Party and 2)direct misguided citizens.
Mike's sacrifices are numerous. Let's be thankful, learn from him and
act like true principled Americans. I vote no for automatic
"super-delegates." Thank you Leigh for your efforts.
Comments continue below
Dave | 7:00 a.m. March 26, 2008
Loren, your comment about "many people" who "don't dare to
openly oppose our party leaders" is very sad but, in my experience, very
true. I was very active in the party for several years, and whenever I would
take a stand on an issue like this I'd get lots of private encouragement,
but hardly anyone ever dared to speak up publicly because bad things seemed to
happen to those who did.
In countless little ways the current party leadership has pushed and continues to push the party away from grass-roots participation. That is one of the primary reasons I chose to resign party leadership positions. I just don't care to be associated with them anymore.
In countless little ways the current party leadership has pushed and continues to push the party away from grass-roots participation. That is one of the primary reasons I chose to resign party leadership positions. I just don't care to be associated with them anymore.
CTH | 7:15 a.m. March 26, 2008
Last night as I attended my precinct meeting and we took the time to read the
party platform, I was amazed at how far from the platform we have strayed and
comments were made by the attendees concerning that same idea.
We say we believe in certain things and then what is actually promoted by our party leaders is contrary.
What am I to think?
Are the ideals and values promoted in the party platform just a bunch of words and a front for some other agenda? If the by-laws say we should do something, then we should do it or change the by-laws. Serving the interests of the few will not build the unity of the party. It will destroy it.
Leaders demostrate their true colors by the amount of integrity they exhibit, whether they be stewards or despotic tyrants.
We say we believe in certain things and then what is actually promoted by our party leaders is contrary.
What am I to think?
Are the ideals and values promoted in the party platform just a bunch of words and a front for some other agenda? If the by-laws say we should do something, then we should do it or change the by-laws. Serving the interests of the few will not build the unity of the party. It will destroy it.
Leaders demostrate their true colors by the amount of integrity they exhibit, whether they be stewards or despotic tyrants.
Dave Duncan | 7:18 a.m. March 26, 2008
The "ambiguity" Weiler speaks of, was directly addressed by an
amendment, put forth by party leaders a few years ago. It would have changed the
party constitution to allow the counties decide how to allocate, instead of
continuing to specify it in the constitution. That amendment was soundly voted
down by the delegates. Yet the party leaders still maintain that the counties
can choose? What is ambiguous about that, Mr. Weiler?
The truth is that party leaders have simply decided to ignore there own constitution, and the will of the delegates (which included many of the delegates in question).
One should ask, why are the party leaders so adamant about keeping these unauthorized delegates? Is it because they are more beholden to the leadership than a delegate who is properly elected by the people?
The truth is that party leaders have simply decided to ignore there own constitution, and the will of the delegates (which included many of the delegates in question).
One should ask, why are the party leaders so adamant about keeping these unauthorized delegates? Is it because they are more beholden to the leadership than a delegate who is properly elected by the people?
Andrea | 7:26 a.m. March 26, 2008
Mike,
Keep up the good work! Automatic delegates are the biggest issue for Utahns. It's all everyone talks about. When I go to the store or church or gym, I hear people complaining about automatic delegates all the time.
It's too bad that most Republican delegates worry about less important issues such as budget deficits, trade deficits, immigration, taxes, crime, terrorism, education and so on. We need to focus like a laser on this issue.
If we can take care of the automatic delegate issue, all of the other problems will take care of themselves.
I know you've spent at least ten years on this issue, but it will some day be worth it.
Keep up the good work! Automatic delegates are the biggest issue for Utahns. It's all everyone talks about. When I go to the store or church or gym, I hear people complaining about automatic delegates all the time.
It's too bad that most Republican delegates worry about less important issues such as budget deficits, trade deficits, immigration, taxes, crime, terrorism, education and so on. We need to focus like a laser on this issue.
If we can take care of the automatic delegate issue, all of the other problems will take care of themselves.
I know you've spent at least ten years on this issue, but it will some day be worth it.
Kelly Transfield | 7:28 a.m. March 26, 2008
Good job, Mike for trying to get them to follow the rules. Don't give
up!
Thanks to Leigh for such a fair article!
Thanks to Leigh for such a fair article!
Laura Johnson | 9:19 a.m. March 26, 2008
Appreciate the article by Leigh Dethman about the automatic delegate issue.
When "elected" officials are given automatic delegate status, they in
turn get to vote as delegates (without being elected by the people at their
specific precinct caucus meetings) at State and/or County conventions again and
again. What about the power of the people? Some will argue that the
"automatic delegates" are only a small percentage, but that is not
true in some counties. Some elections are won by a very small margin.
I personally think giving elected officials an "automatic delegate" is wrong. They are elected to certain positions to fill the responsibilities of their office. Why should they have the perk of an automatic delegate position? The people should be able to re-elect them if they have done a good job or have the power to elect a new person. Who could stop elected officials if they have been given the power to elect themselves? What about checks and balances?
I personally think giving elected officials an "automatic delegate" is wrong. They are elected to certain positions to fill the responsibilities of their office. Why should they have the perk of an automatic delegate position? The people should be able to re-elect them if they have done a good job or have the power to elect a new person. Who could stop elected officials if they have been given the power to elect themselves? What about checks and balances?
Ryan Tew | 9:48 a.m. March 26, 2008
Great article - this was very informative and presented the scenario very well.
Way to go Mike Ridgway with your efforts! The only way for us to return the
power to the people in the Utah Republican party is to get behind Mike on this
issue and stop the automatic delegates.
If we don't do this the deck will eventually be so stacked in favor of automatic delegates that the will of the people ultimately will be left aside in favor of the will of a few selected elite.
If we don't do this the deck will eventually be so stacked in favor of automatic delegates that the will of the people ultimately will be left aside in favor of the will of a few selected elite.
Kevin Baadsgaard | 10:47 a.m. March 26, 2008
It was obvious from reading the platform and comparing it to the actions of the
party leaders that leadership is out of touch with the grass-roots. The push to
have appointed delegates is a reflection of the arrogance of these so called
leaders, who believe they know more than the great unwashed masses. This case is
a good test to see if the judicial system represents justice or the power clique
of the "elite".
Poppy Moreno | 11:19 a.m. March 26, 2008
Mike thank you for fighting for what is just and honest. The United States was
formed by people who would rather give their lives than give up. It is far
easier to sit back and do nothing, than to actually fight for what you believe
in.
I hope everyone who reads this article, will do whatever they can to help Mike in his efforts. One person can�t do this alone. Mike needs our help.
Leigh thank you for writing this article, and bringing this issue to our attention. I believe a news media that works to kept he public informed with accurate and timely information, is just as important as the election process itself. You can�t have honest elections without honest media.
I hope everyone who reads this article, will do whatever they can to help Mike in his efforts. One person can�t do this alone. Mike needs our help.
Leigh thank you for writing this article, and bringing this issue to our attention. I believe a news media that works to kept he public informed with accurate and timely information, is just as important as the election process itself. You can�t have honest elections without honest media.
just a guy | 11:15 a.m. March 26, 2008
Good luck with the lawsuit! Super delegates = incumbent protection. Lets take
the party back from the elitists.
Bliss Tew | 12:51 p.m. March 26, 2008
Mike, it's sad that the State Republican party leadership would even argue
with you over this automatic delegates issue, let alone having you feel you have
to go to court over it to get it resolved. The question I want to ask is a bit
different than yours, I ask: is the Republican Party in Utah American? Those of
us who attended Caucus meetings are looking for a voice and a choice, not a
railroading.
Drew Chamberlain | 2:20 p.m. March 26, 2008
Thanks Mike, I will try to raise some money for the lawsuit. This is VERY
important.
Ronald H Levine, State Delegate | 2:51 p.m. March 26, 2008
Delegates nominate their legislative candidates, but what of checks and balances
and accountability to Republican voters? Shouldn't they who vote for the
Republican candidate choose their candidate through their neighborhood elected
delegate? Instead, the legislators themselves are appointed as automatic
delegates and they say they choose themselves by essentially telling us by their
choices and actions: "I should be your candidate and if you don't
believe me, then ask me because I am the one to decide." Our whole process
should be about accountability. The absurdity of automatic delegates applies
similarly to the issues decided by senate district chairmen and the rest and
more that they have long been attempting to install. They essentially act as
establishment rubber stamp votes rather than representation of the Republican
voters of Utah.
Soda-Popinksy | 2:52 p.m. March 26, 2008
The great irony is that Joe Cannon (Of all PEOPLE) let's his reporters give
Mike Ridgway (OF ALL PEOPLE) the time of day, let alone top-shelf coverage.
Stewart | 7:16 p.m. March 26, 2008
Thanks Mike, If party leaders and elected officials can't get elected in
their own precinct, perhaps they shouldn't hold office at all. After all
these are the people that know them best.
Anonymous | 5:46 a.m. March 27, 2008
Salt Lake County may have elected officials as automatic delegates, but almost
all of the other Utah counties do not. The few people who have automatic
delegate status are the party officers who put in countless hours of service to
the party without pay and who many times are not able to even attend their own
caucuses becasue they are trouble-shooting and going to different locations
making sure everything is running well.
Mike Ridgeway and associates are very good at complaining, but they are not the ones who stayed up until 4:30 AM Wednesday morning after the cauceses inputing the information into the computers so the newly elected delegates could be counted and information sent to them about the upcoming conventions. They are not the ones who take time off of work to fulfill party duties. They are not the ones who work -- they just keep complaining and causing problems at Republican meetings.
Why do the problems and fighting in Salt Lake County continue to spill over into all of the other counties and the state party? Most of us in the other counties are tired of it.
Mike Ridgeway and associates are very good at complaining, but they are not the ones who stayed up until 4:30 AM Wednesday morning after the cauceses inputing the information into the computers so the newly elected delegates could be counted and information sent to them about the upcoming conventions. They are not the ones who take time off of work to fulfill party duties. They are not the ones who work -- they just keep complaining and causing problems at Republican meetings.
Why do the problems and fighting in Salt Lake County continue to spill over into all of the other counties and the state party? Most of us in the other counties are tired of it.
Beverly Kingsford | 10:01 a.m. March 27, 2008
I, for one, am sick and tired of the cheating that is going on all over this
country within the Republican party. These automatic delegates are nothing but
away around the people's voice. Let's not let our voices be pushed
aside and railroaded. We must fight for our rights, and I commend Mike Ridgeway
for having the courage to stand boldly against these power-hungry criminals.
Brooke Bingham | 12:07 p.m. March 31, 2008
Thanks Mike Ridgeway for all your hard work. Please let us know what we can do
to help in the effort.
Paul Chappell | 8:21 p.m. March 31, 2008
First, doesn't this sound familiar? The National Democrats are doing the
exact same thing and boy are they getting hassled, and SHOULD BE. Is there
really any difference here between the two?!
Maybe we should just give up and elect a Politburo, like they do in Russia, or China. That would be much easier, still. No messy surprises, right?
Both parties sound a lot alike. This year's McCain could have been HHH in 1968. Why not check into alternatives, like the Constitution Party and get reality back into politics? If enough left the Republicans, they'd get a clue. Right now they are clueless.
Maybe we should just give up and elect a Politburo, like they do in Russia, or China. That would be much easier, still. No messy surprises, right?
Both parties sound a lot alike. This year's McCain could have been HHH in 1968. Why not check into alternatives, like the Constitution Party and get reality back into politics? If enough left the Republicans, they'd get a clue. Right now they are clueless.
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The quote is word perfect with the exception of the final clause, where I actually said, "then why do we CALL THIS America."
Again, much appreciation to the Deseret News and to Leigh Dethman for bringing this issue to the attention of the voters of Utah, and to the comments moderators for finally posting one of my responses to the last three articles about this case.