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Low voter turnout: Incumbents fare poorly in key races
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Yep - "pox on all your houses" and all that. That's why Rob Bishop was beaten horrbly in yesterday's primary. And Jim Matheson, too.
Oh, wait - they weren't.
National Earmarks and out of control spending.
Local leaders not listening to the will of the people, slipping in vouchers, partying lavishly while their constituents infrastructures stagnate and prices inflate. Teachers are neither respected or paid well, leaving the state in droves, leaving the children in overcrowded classrooms without materials, parents or teachers paying for simple supplies.
A governor endorses McCain while the state is 90% behind another candidate.
The incumbents thought they were invincible.
It's not gas prices, Mr. Cannon. It is the refusal of our leaders to listen to and do the work of the people.I cannot wait until the election and see the turnover of incumbents.
Mr. Governaire, don't read the polls, count the votes before looking for your place in Utah, before you even start to think Washington.
You may represent me, but you will never be MY governaire. And that goes for ther rest of you who refuse to listen to us people.
I agree with Jason. People are disgusted about many things: deficit spending (where is the balanced budget?), power grabs by Bush (signing statements, No Child Left Behind), loss of personal liberties (wire tapping, torture), a war that probably should never have been started, a struggling economy (why the big push by Bush for subprime loans?), etc.
Another possibility for not going to the polls: not much was on the ballot. In many areas of the State the only race was the Treasurer's race which was very confusing. With the Republican party firmly in the hands of a few families and with the "shenanigans" of too many automatic delegates, replacement delegates, discretionary delegates to stack the deck, plus "ballot box antics" such as not checking credentials and not allowing poll watchers, not many races make it out of convention. When the 70% level to avoid a primary was in effect, the public was able to vote more often, and perhaps the turnout might be higher if there were more races to vote on. And, why no primary races for Democrats if they are a viable party? The public will vote more if we let them.
1. He stopped listening, or at least writing back to citizens in the 3rd district.
2. He stopped voting for things he said he was for. His explanations, which have been terrible for 6 years, were finally brought to light.
3. His primary funding was from outside of Utah.
4. His staff was paid. Jason's were not. Can you say work equity?
5. He tried to focus on 3rd boundaries, which should not have been the issue. They were created by his own party and that didn't help.
6. People wanted a change.
7. Jason and his supporters worked harder.
8. 60% of state delegates voted for Jason. 60% of the district did to. That is not a coincidence.
Democrats are a motley group of special interests--environmentalists, minorities, pro-abortion groups, gays rights groups, unions, socialists, and on and on. They do not represent the core values of the American people.
I'm afraid we're all just going to have to put our heads down and get through the next few years.
You forget that most Utah voters would not disagree with most of Bennion's stands, and he is a democrat. He is not to be trifled with.
It is not because of Voter disgust with what is going on, rather it has to do with the Elections were closed to only those that have declared their party (Republican only.
So people like me who wants to vote but do not want to register as a republican or democrat, can't vote.
For those that thinks Jason Chaffetz is the "New" savior for congress, you will get a change from Cannon, but not in the positive way that you think.
He is a egomantic and looks out for no one else but himself, if you think I am wrong, talk to those that has actually worked with him while he was chief of staff.
AND NO, I AM NOT A CANNON FAN......
You are soooooo wrong! This was a revolution led by people who cared enough, were angry enough to get out and vote and NOT stay home. Quit making excuses. Your performance, or lack there of, cost you your job.
I could not be happier this morning knowing that Chris Cannon will no longer taking advantage of the good people of the 3rd district. He is so smug and arrogant about all this that it warmed my heart to see him go down to defeat last night.
Now there's only one problem left - The primary was easy for me, but now I have to decide whom to support in November.
No wonder the DesNews is laying off people.
So true! thanks for the laugh! Released indeed . . .
My schools aren't any good, but I am not going to get off my lazy rear end and go vote for those people who will make policy, hire teachers and determine what happens in the schools, but OH HOW I WILL COMPLAIN AND GRIPE.
Thanks for your service Chris Cannon.
This may be the first time in several decades that we are truly a two-party state.
Just about all of todays bloggers are correct, except about immigration. We need to live up to our American values of the words found on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. If we increase the quotas allowed, people will do the right thing and won't have to be illegal.
Education needs to fixed. Fewer administrators, fewer districts) not splitting districts, more money going for more teachers and more classrooms. I am watching various scores on our schools website plummet each and every year, because of a laxadasical machine.
If seniority is all that matters then let's here in Utah just do away with elections and settle for lifetime appointments, then we'll really get some power in Washington, eh?
The only power we have as voters is the power that comes every two years. If you keep re-electing the same old schmoes then our congressmen won't respect us, like a wife who threatens to leave her abusive husband but never does.
The power from yesterday's defeat of Cannon is echoing all across the country this morning. I doubt there is a single congressman who hasn't heard. It's a far greater consequence for Utah and the nation than yet another congressman with a dozen years of seniority under his belt. It tells them we're paying attention, and we aren't happy with what's going on.
Congratulations. In a year where being seen as extreme right wing is the political kiss of death, you elected a candidate who is considered even more right wing than Cannon was. (I didn't think that was possible.) So let's just see how effective Chaffetz will be in Congress in this current national political climate.
Oh, yeah, BTW, Chaffetz isn't our Congressman yet. I urge you to look closely at Bennion Spencer. That (D) that will be by his name on the ballot isn't going to hurt you after all... Try it, you might like it.
I'm upset, too. I went to vote for my friend for the assistant hsitorian of the East Lake Junior Key Club but found that I couldn't vote because I'm not a member. How awful!
I agree 100%. All the other GOP ultras out there (like Chaffetz) need to beware that the GOP have lost their soul and the Utah Democrats seem ready to make a good change. Huntsman, Shurtleff, Curtis, Chaffetz and the other GOP loonies should be careful of the Utah Democrats running for office. Don't be surprised if you lose your seat too.
As just two examples, Peter Corroon and Jim Matheson seem to be doing an excellent job looking out for the citizens..and their democrats! At least someone is...
BTW: As an Independent American, I should have been able to vote yesterday without declaring an allegiance to the GOP. That in and of itself solidified my vote this year for the Ds this November, at least in Utah. When the Grand Old Party (emphasize old) gets back to its values, I'll reconsider.
JEEZ. This ISN'T common knowledge?
The reason Democrats don't mind having open primaries in Utah is because they never have primaries anyway. Their candidates just get annointed by the establishment and no one gets a say.
hatch, bennett, bishop out .. challengers in
what isnt working has to be changed ... they have all been in way too long (as hatch told moss decades ago) might i add and have done way too little ....
incumbents out .. challengers in
There's a big difference between being able to vote in a Club's election that you aren't a member of and which your tax money doesn't pay for and being able to vote in an election that your tax money pays for. If you don't understand the difference there is some thing wrong with you.
I would have no problem with my taxes paying for an open Republican Primary nor would I expect to vote in closed primaries if my tax dollars didn't pay for them.
So here are your choices:
1) hold an open primary where you can use our tax dollars to pay for it; or,
2) hold a closed primary that you pay for from your own members donations;
Shame on you people! It's hypocrisy. They don't want to pay for universal health care because it benefits individuals but they have no problem using tax money to pay for closed primaries benefiting individuals.
It's time that we vote against the hypocrites!!!
Can you please provide more information about your statement that "Mr. Chaffetz cannot hold a job..."
I would like to know what your sources are so that I can make an informed decision rather I will vote for Jason Chaffetz in November. Any explanation would be appreciated.
1) Who will help you develop your budget?
2) How many staff members will you have?
3) How many District Offices will you have?
4) How many staff will you allocate to the District?
5) What staff positions will you have?
6) Have you chosen a Chief of Staff yet?
7) If yes, who is your Chief of Staff?
8) How much will you pay your Chief of Staff?
9) Will you maintain at least one office in Provo?
I have many other questions but I want him to answer these questions first. If anyone has any information about Chaffetz position on these issues I would love to hear your answers. Thanks in advance for answers.
I appreciate the job Chris Cannon did. Especially as a "House Manager." Thanks!
Democrats didn't have an election because they made their choices in the Convention. They're equally entitled to money for a primary.
You can't vote if you're not registered by Party because of cross-over voting. If you don't think that would be a problem, just reread the above comments.
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He lost by over 9,000 votes, of 44,000 cast. If 14,000 more people had voted - bringing turnout to 2006 levels - 82% of them would've had to vote for Cannon for him to have won. I don't think even Vegas would give you odds on such a longshot.
What if everyone in the 3rd District had voted?
The polls leading up to the race showed Cannon leading by 44-40, meaning that 16% were undecided. In a year where voters are clearlty upset and the economy is tanking, the 16% undecided is not going to break for the incumbent.
What gets me though is Cannon's plane denial; his implication that the voters are just randomly angry and taking it out on anyone. They are not taking it out on anyone, Mr. Cannon. They are taking it out on the people responsible. What ever happened to "the buck stops here." And you have not been "released," Congressman - you have been EXCOMMUNICATED.