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News analysis: Chaffetz facing uphill battle

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Scott | 3:01 p.m. May 15, 2008
I feel that in this case there has been too much emphasis on seniority. When we had the majority we spent ourselves into dept by scratching each others backs too much. The �good old boy� system built allegiances that resulted in too many bills passing and all having price stickers which added up to a huge debt. Cannon may have voted against raising taxes but he voted time after time for bills and budgets that put us in the mess that we are in. We need some one that will vote their conscience and willing to make changes not to keep doing the same thing over. I�ll through my hat in with Jason.
Experience | 3:08 p.m. May 15, 2008
The value Utah receives from Cannon�s 12 years of experience is that we have a voice. We have someone that people in congress know and will listen too. We have someone who has built relationships and alliances so that when something needs to be done you have the support necessary to get it done. There are parliamentary rules that govern how business gets done in the House. Trust me there are hundreds of ways to stop someone from doing something. You need someone whom people will back up when others are trying to shut them up. If you don�t you won�t get anything done.
Also the national news doesn�t pay much attention to our Congressional delegation because it doesn�t pay much attention to Utah. So of course they are going to portray that image when they do have to talk about Utah because that is what they see so that is the way they tell the story. The only reason why Cannon even gets air time is because of his seniority.
The value of experience is knowing how things work so you can get things done!
mgharr | 3:41 p.m. May 15, 2008
If Chaffetz is so wonderful, why was he asked to leave Huntsman's office as chief of staff? Also, why didn't he run in the 2nd District against Matheson which is where he lives? Yeah, he doesn't even live in the 3rd District. I don't want someone representing the 3rd District who doesn't even live in the district. He just felt it was likely an easy "cherry-picking" seat that he could sweep in and take over, rather than putting in the effort to go up against Matheson.
Comments continue below
Steve | 4:18 p.m. May 15, 2008
Has anyone here actually spent time with Cannon?

He is very strange. Hops from topic to topic. Very unfocused. Overly passionate on things that aren't that important. Strong sense that he is the driving force in D.C.

I believe he is stability is a serious question.

Many people bash Cannon for his odd statements or strange positions but does anyone every wonder why he is that way?

He reminds me of folks I've met who are bipolar or schizophrenic. Just off. I really wonder if there is a serious issue there.

to mgharr | 4:19 p.m. May 15, 2008
The legislature has been playing with the boundary lines of the 3rd/2nd districts for the past few years. When Jason first moved to Alpine, he lived in the 3rd district. For the past couple of years his home was in the 2nd district, but in 2010, it is set to move back into the 3rd district.

Would you rather have him run and get elected for the 2nd district, and find himself out of that District in two years?
Jen | 5:26 p.m. May 15, 2008
While talking to Cannon before the State Convention, I never heard him smear his opponents. I did, however, hear Jason Chaffetz do so. I have read many claims that Chaffetz only talks negatively about his opponents "on the issues", but his attacks sounded more personal to me. I was never so pro-Cannon until I met Jason Chaffetz. He was seriously mocking Leavitt for wanting to be a statesman. He claimed that we didn't need another statesman in Washington. Are you kidding me? Yes, we do. That's why I'm not voting for Chaffetz.
Southern Utah Resident | 5:25 p.m. May 15, 2008
It's Cannons positions on issue that bother me. He wants to leave the polygamists alone... never mind that they are raping their young girls and abandoning their young boys. Cannon is also OK with ignoring our illegal immigration problem... he would make them all honorary residents if he had his way.

He is a pathetic leader and lacks moral conviction on important issues that effect our state. As a conservative, he's right up there with Juan McCain.
2nd or 3rd | 5:43 p.m. May 15, 2008
" When Jason first moved to Alpine, he lived in the 3rd district. For the past couple of years his home was in the 2nd district, but in 2010, it is set to move back into the 3rd district.

Would you rather have him run and get elected for the 2nd district, and find himself out of that District in two years? "

YES!!!! Because then we would have 3 Conservative Republicans representing us and one fewer Liberal Democrats in Congress

Rich | 3:37 p.m. May 16, 2008
Yes, Cannon has seniority, but he does nothing with it. His position(s) on illegals has ticked off the base and is not trusted any more. His office staff is very unpleasant and absolutely NOT informed on what Cannon's positions are. They are NO help to him.

I can't think of any reason to vote for him. Let him go back to Mapleton and enjoy his family as he deserves.
ACCv | 3:26 p.m. May 17, 2008
After seeing the results of the past 11 years with Mr. Cannon in congress, I must say I have mixed feelings about his record. Voting for several good things such as not taxing the internet, voting for some very poor bills such as No Child Left Behind and the "Patriot Act" and dangerous Military Commissions Act which create a mlitary state, and his supporting G. W. Bush in his efforts toward the N.A.U and not screaming more when Bush repeatedly broke the law by not obeying Congress's demand to secure our southern border. These are a few thoughts on Mr. Cannon. Regarding Jason Chaffetz, he is an unknown to most of us. His claims to success are worthwhile, such as his successful bringing together the opponents and proponents of the Legacy Highway so they could get the job done. Will he do a good job in Washington? Why not? He did a good job in Utah. And he stayed within his budget and did a masterful job of politicking (sp?) on a very limited budget. Wouldn't that be a valuable skill to be had in D.C.? Mr. Cannon couldn't work within his own budget, can he balance the Government's?
Anonymous | 3:48 p.m. May 17, 2008
Mr./Ms Experience wrote: "The only reason why Cannon even gets air time is because of his seniority." Wrong. The only reason he is listened to is because people think there is some form of profit in his ideas. Seniority has little value if his ideas are unprofitable, and, of course, there are many, many ways to profit.

Jen said that Mr. Chaffetz "claimed that we didn't need another statesman in Washington." Incorrect. He said we "don't need another attorney in Washington"
Arctic Kat | 8:02 p.m. May 17, 2008
Wow, things change. When I left BYU, way back when, Jason Chaffetz was a proud democrat and I think he was the head of the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign at BYU. Now I see he is a conservative republican. Change like that can give someone whiplash! I guess I can forgive Jason for his youthful indiscretion but what's next if this doesn't pan out? I don't know a thing about either Chaffetz or Cannon so may the real republican win and vote to open ANWAR!!!!

In 1995 Bill Clinton vetoed a bill that would have opened ANWAR. If you take even the most conservative estimates as fact, today ANWAR would be producing between one and 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. Wonder what an additional 1.5 million barrels of domestic oil would do for the price of gas this summer? Utah, make sure whomever wins the race that they support opening ANWAR so we can buy less of our oil from Hugo Chavez (no relation to Chaffetz). Thanks.
Madden | 12:13 a.m. May 20, 2008
Jason can get things done. Unlike the last opponent of Mr. Cannon, he has experience in the arena.

The biggest reason I support Jason is that he'll stand up for what is good and right (the way a statesman ought to act) rather than toe the party line. You have to rock the boat a little when the driver starts heading the wrong way. I think Mr. Cannon and almost all of our other GOP leaders forgot who their bosses are - not the suits in party leadership but the people they represent.
whyvotejason

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