Deseret News | Utah County Demos suddenly viable

Reader comments
Utah County Demos suddenly viable

provo | 12:37 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Utah County voters have an amazing opportunity. For too long many of our representatives have, de facto, been put in place by Republican bosses. These recent Democratic candidates are truly impressive. Compare their records, behaviors, and reputations to their challengers. To anyone who is worried about going against "the church," go straight to the LDS church's statement on partisanship and see what is said: good people can be found in many parties. Let's not let go of this chance to change the political landscape in Utah County!

Anonymous | 1:16 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Tanner? What a joke. He's been a democrat for years. He just hasn't been willing to admit it.

Darin | 7:13 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

If the only difference between Utah County Democrats and Republicans is that the dems don't support school vouchers - and the people don't support school vouchers - why aren't they all voting for Democrats? It's because most all of them will vote for Republicans no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT - as in no matter how sleazy the Republican leadership in Utah County is. Even up in the more liberal north, let's watch Buttars get elected again. Vote Republican no matter what!

Comments continue below

LDS Democrat | 7:21 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

We moved to UT and found that our votes do not count. Why go to the polls? If we vote for a Republican candidate, big deal, we already know he or she is going to win, and if we vote for a Democrat we already know he or she is not going to win. Utah has a very stagnant political environment. Any locality which allows one party to constantly dominant is in danger of becoming corrupt. Upon moving into NE Provo we were actually told by neighbors that if we were Democrats in Utah it was the gateway into apostacy and we could lose our temple recommends. This is how politically nuts it is here. Hurrah for anyone who understands that any political party needs good, intelligent people representing it. Afterall, there needs be opposition in all things?

Grateful Republican | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I am among the many so grateful for remarkable people to vote for in this election, even if the people come in the form of Utah Democrats. We have been run by a dictatorship that slanders the Republican title for far too long. We now have moral, ethical people who are not seeking power and wealth, but public service. I think it is very telling that the Democrats who are running want us to know who they are as servicable, moral, experienced people before the Democratic label, while the Republican candidates want us to know of their Republican title before we know of their unethical, inexperienced backgrounds. The Republicans have set it up so that the only way to run as a decent person is to run as a Democrat - a plan that uses fear of Democrats to keep power for a currupt "Republican" dictatorship.

liberal Larry | 7:41 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I think everyone in the state should become a republican. We could have two republicans run for each office and then people wouldn't be able to vote straight ticket, they would have to vote the person. It would cause massive confusion in Utah county, and an increase in Prozac consumption, but it would be good for the state.

Cats | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

The Church, very appropriately, makes these statements because they know it is necessary for us to have influence in both parties so that whichever party is in power, we will have a voice. Unfortunately, the Democrats have made it just about impossible for most Mormons to be Democrats.

The Democrats have NO ONE BUT THEMSELVES TO BLAME for this situation. They have made it clear for years that if you don't support abortion, gay marriage, ERA, big government etc., you are not welcome in their party. Most Mormons morally just cannot support the Democrat platform.

I applaud the Utah County Democrats for trying to create a two-party system. However, they are totally out of step with their national party. In fact, by taking these moral positions and also being Democrats, they are adopting TWO COMPETING PHILOSOPHIES.

I want to see a healthy two-party system in Utah. Unfortunately, the Democrats are the culprets in denying us this two-party system. If they hadn't gone so far to the left, Mormons would not have left the Democrats in droves.

Local, less liberal Democrats are suffering because of their far-left national party. It's sad, but it's THEIR OWN FAULT.

Vote for 2 party system | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Utah county has not experienced democracy for years! The Republican party has run the county and the state legislature as a dictatorship, totalitarianism government. This year it is possible to bring democracy back to Utah County and set up a 2 party system! Vote for the honest candidates.

follow the money | 7:45 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Before you vote Republican, look who sponsored their campaign, and junkets! Check their campaign contributions on the Lt. Governor's web site.

Anonymous | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

This article sounds more like an endorsement instead of reporting.

Walch says the Democrats are "conservative" but doesn't back up the claim. Just because they are LDS and old doesn't autmatically make them conservative.

We know most or all of them would support tax increases on just about anything. None of them are big charter school supporters.

Anonymous | 8:13 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Tanner is a joke, just like Dave Cox and Calvin Bird. Besides, hardly anyone knows Jordan Tanner anymore anyway.

The Republicans in Utah County were justified in dumping these RINOs.

Sick of Utah County politics | 8:23 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I'm a life-long Utah County Republican who is also supporting some of these Democrat challengers. The Republican party in Utah County has shifted so far to the extreme right, that I don't even consider them Republican anymore. They need to be called the Ultra-Conservative Party or the Eagle Forum Party (in Buttars' case). I already voted for some local Democrats who support traditional conservative values that Republicans want. In fact, many of these Democrats would have run as Republicans if the party hadn't been hijacked by right wing extremists who use proprietary caucus and primary election rules to shut out the more realistic and moderate Republican candidates and challengers.

My vote counts | 9:21 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I won't let Bramble, Herrod and company to take my vote for granted. RaDene Hatfield, Clarylynn Hill and these others have worked hard for my vote and they have convinced me they will represent me, fight for ethics reform and education while maintaining a committment to conservativism and a balanced budget. It's about time we had a choice in Utah County and I can't wait to vote for these new kinds of conservative Democrats

S.C. PIerce | 9:31 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

It would be a miracle to get some of these excellent Democrats elected down behind the Zion Curtain. It would be excellent if Hatfield could send Bramble packing. Hopefully this trend will continue north into Salt Lake County as good solid Democrats elect Seegmiller, Black, Johnson, Morgan, Poulson and Beck. Vote Democratic and Save Utah!!

Nick | 9:50 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Was there pizza at that debate?

Cats | 10:44 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I would also like to point out that, as a solid and committed conservative Republican, I resent the fact that many far-right nuts have moved into Utah County from out of state and tried to take over our party. Utah County people are conservative, but we're not arch-right weirdos. I am talking about the Draschils, the Macks, the Ruzkickas and other far-right activists who have come in, packed the caucuses and pulled our party to the ultra right.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against people from out of state. I'm happy to welcome them. The point I'm making is that these are not traditional Utah County values. These are far-right, unreasonable people who don't represent the values of the mainstream of Utah County and are an embarrassment to our party. They're really not Republicans--their John Birchers, Constitution Party and other far right groups.

P.S. I don't believe anybody in Provo told anyone that they could lose their recommend and their Church membership was in jeopardy if they weren't Republican. I love the way people make these outlandish exaggerations when they want to make a point and justify their own position.

Roger Johnston | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Well, last time I checked this was the United States not the state of zion/LDS. As census data is showing more and more non lds people are moving into utah and utah county. Got news for you, not everyone in Utah believes in the church and as more and more move here that don't their voices will demand representation and will argue against legislating your particular morality. The LDS are the first to scream for their minority rights in places where they are far outnumbered, however, continuely argue for rule by majority here. Cats your ignorance is overwhelming, how are they to blame for standing up for what they believe in? So, they'd get their way if they'd only conform and convert? I would argue Cats that the republicans have gone to far right and hence why you are seeing viable democratic canidates. What gets me is that the LDS lay in bed with people that can't stand them and openly call you occult. Who you think run the right? Is your need to be accepted as "christian" overriding your senses? Change is coming brace for impact!

To LDS Democrat! | 11:46 a.m. Nov. 1, 2008

Don't give up!. Yes the Utah electoral college will go to McCain but locally your vote means something, even if it just shows the other party that they have some opposition.

VOTE!

I was raised LDS, father was a bishop and mother relief society president. They occasionally had democrats signs in the front yard.

OK, it wasn't Utah County but it was still in Utah.

LDS Democrat responding to CATS | 3:13 p.m. Nov. 1, 2008

One person in NE Provo told us that the "3 Step Program into Apostacy" is first, become a Democrat,which leads to the second, get interested in nutrition, and then that leads to the third, plural marriage. Bingo!...apostacy and excommunication. Yes, our dear CATS you CAN believe it. Just because one can afford to live in an upscale neighborhood doesn't mean you can't have educated idiots for neighbors.

Elkman | 4:41 p.m. Nov. 1, 2008

The winds of change are coming and Utah is going to go back to being a moderate place with good moderate Democratic Politicians. We need to remember that we have not always been a right wing Republican Wasteland. Remember great Democrats like Scott Matheson, Rampton, Moss, Wayne Owens and Gunn McKay!!! We need to get back to these days by throwing out all the right wing special interest bought politicians in this state!!

NE Repub | 6:01 p.m. Nov. 1, 2008

I dare say the biggest reason S. Covey is voting for Mrs. Hill is that they are in the same ward; and everytime Bramble is attacked by the media for an 'incident' the whole story is left out and there are plenty of witnesses for the truth

DeseretNews.com moderator | 12:29 a.m. Nov. 2, 2008

The Deseret News has had a longstanding policy of not publishing letters-to-the-editor addressing political contests the day before and day of the election.

We are applying that same moratorium to comments on election stories beginning Sunday. We will apply the moratorium on older stories as well.

The rationale for the policy is two-fold: Give voters time to cool down and reflect on the choices they will make on Tuesday; and, avoid playing a role in influencing voters by posting possible false, last-minute attacks on candidates.

Thanks for your participation and don't forget to vote.

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