Comments about ‘Poll: Utah state delegates out of step with most Utahns’

Delegates are generally more informed and passionate on the issues. The average voter just goes along with the status quo. One of the reasons why we have had these life long politicians.

"And the poor independent voters, more moderate – or in the middle – than both parties, may not find a candidate to truly represent them." Independants, aka fence sitters, are dummy's. They could join either party and move it the direction they want. Not too bright these people. lol

"Now District 47 voters won't get the chance to keep or reject Mascaro, who has won some large victories in the past."

Absolutely false. Mascaro (and any other) can run as an independent. Anyone can. The only thing decided in the convention was whether the GOP establishment would nominate and support him. Of course his chances are lower now because many voters choose to defer to party nominees (this applies the same to Demos, I might add), but that is their prerogative. It's still one person one vote in November, and Mascaro can throw his hat in if he wants.

What a crock! This specious argument is a last-ditch effort by shills for Senator Bennett to discredit the process and shame state delegates into keeping him in the running. A little bit too transparent, Bob!

I am not a state delegate, but I DID participate in my precinct caucus and help elect three of those delegates. Those caucuses are open, by the way, to any of those who feel they are disenfranchised. No one is standing at the door with a gun keeping them out. In our caucus, we had double the number of people who normally attend. It was literally standing-room-only, with all the walls lined with people. Why? Because voters are fed up with the business-as-usual in Washington.

The delegates who were elected had all pledged to vote for anyone but Bob Bennett. As Jim pointed out, those who are committed enough and involved enough to attend their caucus or to become a delegate have typically done their homework and researched the candidates. Much of the rest of the voting public haven't done that yet. Once they get to that point, their disappointment in Senator Bennett will quickly surface.

Quit complaining and show up to caucuses. No amount of rule changing will protect us from lazy, selfish indifference.

No Joe Moe, In order to have your name placed on the Ballot you must file by sometime in March. When filing, you must declare party affiliation or independent. If you declare party affiliation, you must abide by party rules so Mascaro is out, unless he runs as a write-in candidate. I don't know of a successful write-in campaign ever in the State of Utah. His name will not be printed on the ballot. This is what one party rule gets you.

The extreme right hijacked the Republican party and now only Glen Beck and George Bush types are endorsed. Bridge burners are exciting but bridge builders (moderates) get things done for the good of the country. Independent voters arn't stupid. They understand politics 101 better than the ultra conservatives.

It is no secret that certain special interest groups, like the Eagle forum, know how to run the system. They organize and get their own elected as delegates at the caucuses. Usually they do it quietly. Most don't know their next door neighbor is an Eagle forum member. They don't advertise it. They see him at church, at the store, etc.

The forum quietly goes about their business and get their way on many issues.

In my opinion it is a sorry system. It takes the average Joe about 10 years of living here before they figure out how it works. It puts way too much power in the hands of special interest groups that are organized.

I've often wondered why the teachers of Utah don't do the same thing. If they organized they could control the whole state. With how much power the people claim the UEA has, why haven't they done this yet? Maybe they are just too busy teaching our kids...

The poll results are probably accurate. Delegates represent those among us who are concerned enough about political issues to take an evening out of their year to make a difference by attending a caucus. The people who could really care less don't go to the caucuses, so their voice isn't heard, except in polls.

It's not the delegates who are more extreme -- either to the left or to the right. It is the people who attend the caucuses and vote in delegates who are like minded.

If you want a voice in who represents you as a delegate to these conventions, sacrifice an evening once out of every two years and attend the caucus.

The problem with party politics and these conventions is candidates are preselcected for voters to choose from. The ideal party system would support all candidates of a party that wants to run for an office. Singling out one individual to represent a party is limiting the choices of voters and true representation.

The reason the parties do this is to insure maximum vote for a single person to increase the odds of a party to stay in power. Then its also much easier to control the news media, issues, and laws. They don't want the voters to have too many choices.

And you cannot tell me that delegates are the only ones informed, delegates only know what the party wants them to know and make them narrow minded.

Yes, the party system in Utah is a farce and mind control game spouting false messages to control the vote. It's not at all about government of the people. Good government and good politics should have dissension and controversy so it doesn't become too powerful or controlling. Being a representative is not a career, its a temporary service to the people and his country.

This was the stupidest article I have read for a while. The rules are very clear and there was a huge turnout on caucus night. The average voter does not take the time to research the candidates thoroughly. It looks like somebody is upset their favorite candidates won't be reelected.

Your right Mahershalalhashbaz we should but lock step ideology above reason, down with flexible thinking! (yes this is sarcasm)

Kirk Jowers is absolutely correct. The delegates in any party tend to be those that are activists and on the fringe of the party. They view issues in absolutes and want someone who is "pure" in their eyes to represent them. The most fair way to pick a candidate is to have a primary in each party and then have them face off in a general election. The "wingers", be they right or left, will then have to face the facts that the overall public is much more moderate.

To those that oppose Bob Bennett I would ask you to list five votes that you believe are out of step with the majority of the people in Utah. Most will list TARP and they be stumped. TARP was a difficult vote that I have to guess Sen. Bennett would take back with hind sight, but then those who castigate him for it have never made a mistake they would like to change. But ask for the full five votes an they mostly cannot even think of five votes, let alone those that Utahns opposed.

This is the system we currently have. I've always believed you work within the system of laws and rules you have, and if they break down or are not effective you work to change them. It is not a question of whether main stream or ultra right or lefts are elected, it is question if the system is representative. It is not this year, and has not been in the past, for various reasons.

The current system has helped create the lowest voter participation rates in the nation. For example, the Republican party effectively disenfranchised many voters including Republicans by closing the primary and moving it back to June. It was also very unwise to reduce the magic number to 60% to nominate a party candidate w/o a primary. I have never missed voting in any election of any kind for 34 years since I could first legally vote.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of voters don't show up to caucus meetings or to primary elections. Yes they should do it anyway, but why discourage them further? It's time to move to a primary only, move it closer to November and scrap the conventions.

The GOP especially is controlled by the extreme right. Governors have to be moderate in order to get anything done. Conservatism is not about getting much done and avoiding change and progress. The problem is the legislature, and the proposals we see there are scary. Let even mainstream Republicans choose their candidates instead of radicalized insiders, and you will see a better legislature. Also, a shake-up in the parties would be good. The GOP is so secure that they do not fear the voters. Put the other party in and the Republicans will govern better next time around.

The first four comments on this blog are interesting.

Jim l, your reasoning is exactly the opposite of what most delegates say they want this year, to be listened too, and exactly the same as what many say they are against, politicians who think they know more than the general public. Let me just rely on your superior wisdom, right? You are now an elected delegate? Act accordingly.

Mahershalalhashbaz and Joe Moe, everyone should join a party? No less than George Washington, thought a two party system would ruin the republic with partisan bickering. Was he wrong?

Aceroinox, name calling again I see. Your entry doesn't even address the issue in this article. It's not about individual races. Many including myself have never liked the caucus/convention system, and especially didn't like the changes in the 1980's to make the Republican party a more exclusive club.

All you anti-Bennett crowd amaze me. Elections aren't about individuals per se, they are about effective representation of all the people, not just "so called" knowledgeable delegates.

Again, answer the question, what are you for, not what are you against in a political system.

There is a significant part of the population that is disenfranchised by this process.

This group is well educated, deeply involved in protecting U.S. interests, and because they live outside of the State, they can’t participate in the mass-meetings. These citizens have higher voter turnout then their peers, and are more passionate, better informed on federal issues, and more patriotic then most delegates.

This group is the U.S. Military.

I tried toget elected as a Bennett delegate. Not a chance, it was obvious the anti-Bennett crowd was in control. I agree we need a better system. Senator Bennett is a good man who has represented us well. The republican party is being taken over by anti government extremists who don't represent me or the majority of Utah citizens. What exactly has Bennett done to raise so much ire. I haven't a clue other than the tarp vote. People are angry and are looking to blame anyone they can. I hope Bennett survives theh primaries.

If Bennet wins more than 60 percent of the vote there is no primary and he is the Repuplican Candidate. He does not need to muster 40 percent of the vote. The top two candidates will go to the primary if no one recieves over 60 percent of the vote. If the people want Bennet they can write him in in November. We are not a democracy. We are a Constitutional Repeuplic. Democracies always end in tyrany as politicians realize they can buy votes and the people realize they can glean the public coffers. I would rather have delegates out of step than be out of step with the Constitution.

I am an life-long, unaffiliated, registered voter (aka Independent) who has voted Republican in almost every election since I could vote. I had never experienced the delegate system until I moved to Utah 20 years ago. However, I believe given today's Senate election that it works great; it allows candidates to more personally focus their campaign on 3500 verses 2.7 million with their individual messages, plans for Washington, and personalities.

If the more "moderate" in Utah really cared about representation, they could become delegates and put their money where their mouth is.