Reader comments
Eagar jumps into Senate race

zulu1 | 4:20 p.m. June 11, 2009

Wow--how exciting--an opportunity to get someone in the U.S. Senate who could really embarass Utah!

ME | 4:35 p.m. June 11, 2009

The fact that she's endorsed by Gayle Ruzicka is enough to make me vote against her. Also, if Presidential candidate endorsements matter so much, shouldn't Republicans who supported Romney take note of the fact that he has endorsed Bennett?

Tab L. Uno | 4:43 p.m. June 11, 2009

Fascinated. As a Democrat I will be eager to listen to Eager and how her ideals:

fiscal restraint
limited government
free-market solutions
energy independence
strong national defense

might be put into pragmatic reality when it comes to:

global warming (which for a minority of America doesn't believe is happening or that humans contribute to it)

credit crisis and the banking system and the unemployed

Iran and North Korea, the Middle East, Iraq and Pakistan

education of our children that is competitive with the rest of the industrialized world

health care reform and the insurance industry

Let the political debate begin.

Comments continue below

Tab L. Uno | 4:45 p.m. June 11, 2009

Eagar, I apologize for spelling your name wrong.

At Last | 4:49 p.m. June 11, 2009

A breath of fresh air for true Republicans. For too long we've faced an echo, not a choice. Maybe now we will have "a choice, not an echo". Here is hope for a better world tomorrow. :)

Stewart | 4:55 p.m. June 11, 2009

Since zulu1 and ME have never met or read anything about Mrs Eagar other than what they read here they are shooting from the hip with their computer. I have met her and found her intelligent with a good grasp on the problems afflicting our nation.

She will not be depending on millions of dollars in this campaign as will Mr. Shurtluff and Sen Bennett. She plans to run a grassroots campaign similar to that of Rep Chaffetz. So those that like the best government that money can buy stick with the "good old boys" Mark Shurtluff (attorney general and sen Bennett). Personally I think it is time to bring the government back to the people.

zulu1 | 5:23 p.m. June 11, 2009

Holding up Cleon Skousen's book as a guide? Ruzicka's endorsement? Similar to Rep. Chaffetz? No thanks--don't need that kind of 'change.' I'd rather stick with the "good old boys" -- at least Bennett.

I am supporting Eagar.. | 5:23 p.m. June 11, 2009

She is such a breath of fresh air.

As someone who is not a fan of Gayle Ruzicka or the Eagle Forum, Gayle can vote for who she wants, but no way is Eagar in her back pocket. I am surprised that Gayle has been trying to get press out of Eagar.

I loved the fact that Cherilyn wanted Romney. That has got to tick off a few Ron Paul fans.

Mitt Romney supporting Bennett is nothing new. He always supports the republican in office. He supported Cannon last year, until Chaffetz was the party nominee and them supported Chaffetz.

Romney supporting Bennett might bring in a few $$, but it won't bring in a votes for Bennett.

Eagar is correct that Bridgwater and Shurtleff were early McCain supporters. That single move will wipe out many of their votes.

I agree, this is a Granato v Eagar race.

Waiting | 5:27 p.m. June 11, 2009

Now let's see how the left challenges our senate seat. Except for Blue Dog Jim Matheson, Utah Democrats, especially at the state level, are pretty much party line union and big government lap dogs. So far, Bennett has no one to test his experience and knowledge. Few in the current US senate come close to his knowledge of finance.

@Waiting.. | 5:46 p.m. June 11, 2009

Bennett and finance? yes he is smart, but has made some real major mistakes lately and he isn't willing to admit it.

@zulu1 The 5000 years is being promoted by Glenn Beck. I don't give a rip what Ruzicka thinks.

@Tab

I agree that

fiscal restraint
limited government
free-market solutions
energy independence
strong national defense

are principles most American's agree with. With that focus, Eagar will pick up some of the Democrats.

Book name.. | 5:49 p.m. June 11, 2009

That book in the article is titled
The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World
and no, I haven't read it yet.

utahenergyideas | 7:33 p.m. June 11, 2009

Cherilyn Eagar posted the full text as a note on Facebook.

I like this:

"Im an American. I love this country. I love Utah. Its freedom was dearly bought. My brother served in the Air Force as a test pilot for the F-100. He gave his life in that service. During one of the Department of Defense tours, I not only saw Guantanamo Bay, I stayed in its barracks. Ive seen the brave but vulnerable eyes of young men stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines the night before they awaited a helicopter mission, from which only half returned the next morning."

Keep Bennett | 7:47 a.m. June 12, 2009

I'm a close friend of Bridgewater and Eagar, and admire them both. I'm sure the other people in the race also are good folks. But why would anyone in their right minds vote against Bob Bennett? He is one of the fe people in DC who really understands the economy and what we need - and who has fought tirelessly for Utah's rights. He did not vote for the bailout - he voted to maintain the liquidity of the credit markets. Any small business owner who has to wait 60 or 90 days to get paid by clients understands what that means - without available credit, you die. By voting for that first 'bailout,' he stood up for the people who employ us and drive our economy: small business. And he is senior enough to really represent our principles with clout. When will Utah learn to stop eating our own young, and start sending people to DC and keeping them there long enough to accomplish something?

JMT | 8:11 a.m. June 12, 2009

I love it! "Bailout" Bob Bennett. That just rolls right off the tongue. And since campaigns are about bumper stickers he is in trouble.

It is so ironic that we Republicans are being told that in order to win we must nominate middle of the road candidates. Well, we just did that! We nominated McCain and got whooped. So what now?

Bridgewater is a pretty good guy. Shurtleff is a good gus as well though there is very little conservative about him. He is going to have to deal with video of him promising to not enforce the law when it comes to illegal immigration. This puts him in the same camp as Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton on that issue.

This should be a fun race. One suggestion to Eager, don't let Gayle run your campaign. Gayle loves to pretend like she doesn't have to have attention lavished on her as she muscles her way to the front of any crowd. She will hurt your campaign, not help it.

Be your own person, stand on your own values and let the Eagle Forum do their own thing, NOT your campaign.

repubs for change | 8:44 a.m. June 12, 2009

Bennett is too OLD. By the time the Republicans regain control of congress, Bennett will likely be 84 years old or older. For the sake of Utah, we need to elect new blood now so they can start building seniority now.

@JMT | 9:13 a.m. June 12, 2009

Galyle is not running it. They obviously know each other and have for years. I have friends I don't agree with.

You look at the basic Eagar principles and you will find people from both sides of the aisle agreeing with. One of my more liberal friends agrees.

I was there. Lee didn't interview anyone else and Gayle shows up. What do you do?

Eagar has much more common sense followers that Lee is giving here credit from.

Someone has been posting this around today:

"Personally I've worked in the performing arts for most of my life and consider my gay friends some of the best and most talented. I've lost some good friends to AIDS. Fifty percent of my NYC-based company employees were gay. I would never, ever do anything to treat them unfairly in the workplace or in my personal associations with them. "

yikes | 9:21 a.m. June 12, 2009

agree w astute zulu1 ... she comes across as about 1 inch "deep" ---- spouting the same old usual Fox / Beck / Hannity / Rush claptrap. her one-liners are gems though. its the Ds that will find the Diamonds (workable, pragmatic solutions... H Care, the banks, Nat Sec, etc) atop the Dung Hill of a mess the Rs and their Free Market as Solution to Everything have left us. Adam's Smith invisible hand sure has given us a slap!

Palin 2.0 | 9:22 a.m. June 12, 2009

Sorry guys, but I honestly see no substance here. Every word that has come out of her mouth in the public eye this week has been nothing but parroted campaign talking points. Quoting Reagan has been step one in the playbook for nearly a decade, but her problem is her predecessors who did the same never followed through with actions. The "I'm the true conservative" quote just gives me bad flashbacks to the presidential primaries. Then claiming to be a fan of Romney (Neo-Conservative/fiscally liberal) and being endorsed by Ruzicka (Neo-Conservative/questionable integrity after last legislative session) makes me think that when she says "conservative" she is referring to Sean Hannity's definition of the word, not Abraham Lincoln's.

I have no faith from her public statements that she will not just be a continuation of political drive to expand government reach into my private life. I want to see her talk about reducing the size of government and then explaining HOW she would do it. Simply repeating a bunch of buzzwords (bailout, socialism, true conservative) without any meat behind it kinda reminds me of a recent vice-presidential nominee. All show, no substance.

@Palin | 10:52 a.m. June 12, 2009

Read Eagar's actual statement, under notes, from her facebook page.

The real deal | 11:30 a.m. June 12, 2009

I can assure you that you will get the "real deal" from Mrs. Eagar. She is genuine. I have known her for many years and have always been impressed with her zeal for conservative principles.

I can also assure you that Gayle Ruzicka does not thrive on the lime light. She is one who works tirelessly to defend God, family and her country, and the principles that this nation was built on. These are basic Republican ideals as I recall.

Both of these women are to be admired and respected and counted on to uphold the values that I hold dear.

Honest Luke | 11:41 a.m. June 12, 2009

So far, so good. If she can keep this up, she'll be a contender.

Supporting Eagar | 12:06 p.m. June 12, 2009

When I heard that Eagar was running, I was overjoyed. I have watched her in politics for years and often heard her speak. She is very knowledgeable and informed on the issues. It would be wonderful to get a truly moral, conservative Senator in.

I am also grateful that Cherilyn Eagar stands up for family, the Constitution in the way the Founders intended, and for God. No wonder Gayle Ruzicka is supporting her. Those are the very same things that she believes in and fights so hard for. If only we had more such people involved in politics.

lost in DC | 12:16 p.m. June 12, 2009

where is the outrage from the feminists over the attacks on Eagar on this board? when we raise the same concerns over sotomayor that zulu1 and others raise we are accused of being sexist and racist. they may exist, but I haven't seen anyone drag up racist and sexist comments from Eagar like we saw from sotomayor.

double standard when libs can disagree with her policies or say the see no substance and say that is all they are commenting on, but when we raise legitimate concerns about sotmayor, neolibs yell, "the only reason you don't like her is because she's not a white male".

I'm not accusing zulu1 or Palin 2.0 of the double standard, it usually comes from those unimaginative posters who post as "anonymous"

John Reynolds | 1:10 p.m. June 12, 2009

Finally a REAL conservative !
She's got our family's vote for sure !

Nancy | 2:04 p.m. June 12, 2009

I was at Eagers press release and liked what I heard! I was glad to hear that she would be using the 5,000 year leap as her guide, that will help her stay close to what the Founding Fathers believed!!! Freedom NOT Socialism!!!!

Someone on here made the comments that Gayle Ruzicka (Eagle Forum) was trying to steal the lime light! How ridicules!!! Gayle Ruzicka did not make any comments during the press release!! It looked like to me, she was there just to SUPPORT Eager!!!

Deseret Dawg | 2:18 p.m. June 12, 2009

The more I consider Cherilyn Eagar's candidacy, the more enthused I get. This lady is without doubt an unapologetic and principled conservative. She understands that when conservatives run as conservatives, they win. Jason Chaffetz and Chris Buttars are explicit proof.

While I have previously characterized her as "Jason Chaffetz in a skirt", the fact is, Cherilyn Eagar actually combines the intelligence of Chaffetz with the passion of Sarah Palin. What a powerful combination!

I only wish we could go after Orrin Hatch instead of Bob Bennett; unlike Hatch, Bennett actually still has some redeeming characteristics. But Bennett has been in the Senate too long, and maybe it's time for him to go. Cherilyn Eagar impresses me as the best replacement.

Free, not a Slave | 2:42 p.m. June 12, 2009

An endorsement from Gayle Ruzicka shows the candidate believes in family values, personal responsibility, and limited government--ideals upon which this country was foundedupon which it has become the greatest bastion of freedom in history.

Liberals are "allowed" to say and do anything (in the name of the freedoms they constantly try to eliminate), while conservatives are blasted for expressing their opinions.

What an honor it has been to know Gaylewho has been subjected to all kinds of villification and harassment for acting like a free person in a free country. In spite of the name-calling and vindictive behavior directed at her, she always remains dignified and respectful.

I was once privileged to hear a revealing, heartfelt comment from Gayle (pretty close to a quote)--"All I ever wanted was to be a mom. I didn't envision any of this for my life. Sometimes, however, we have to step out of our comfort zone to do what is right, no matter how hard it is and no matter the impact on our personal lives."

China and most of Europe would be delighted to accept you socialist Americans as new taxpaying residents. Airfares are quite low now . . .

Kris K from UWF | 4:11 p.m. June 12, 2009

It's time to thank Senator Bennett for his service, but time for him to move on. Never waste a good crisis and Senator Bennett did just that. He voted for TARP and managed to say what a "waste" TARP had been at a luncheon up in Layton just 3 weeks ago. If Senator Bennett is so wise, why didn't he at least read TARP before he signed it, or how about a more novel idea and represent your constituents by not voting for TARP?? Bennett is now part of the problem we have in Washington. Lifetime politicians who are beholding to others and vote according to the interest of those padding their pockets. Cherilyn is the solution and not part of the problem.

The Gayle Ruzicka comments have no merit. I was at the Press Conference Luncheon and saw Gayle get up and leave as soon as Cherilyn was finished. She didn't ask one question or make any comments during the time Cherilyn was giving her press conference. I felt she was there as a supporter just like myself.

Patiriot | 6:34 p.m. June 12, 2009

To Keep Bennett,

You have got to be kidding me? Keep Bennett??? Voted to keep the markets liquid? That's an original spin. Mr. Bennett does not represent the people of Utah. Mr. Bennett represents himself and those who give him money. He is arrogant and his staff is too. He consistently gives the "Real" conservatives the finger.

arc | 6:37 p.m. June 12, 2009

Cherilyn will be great back in D.C. I think she will win.

Patriot | 6:43 p.m. June 12, 2009

I have now tried to post two comments on subject of the article. One from yesterday and one tonight before the one you have posted that dealt with Cheryl Eager. What is it with you guys?? Do you know how irritating it is to craft a comment and then have you guys censor it. There was nothing wrong with either and last nights was better. I am so sick of the D news failing to post comments. What is your problem? Are you guys even paying attention as you moderate??

Nixon Smith | 2:05 a.m. June 13, 2009

My fellow Utahns. The Conservative Right all the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate are pandering for is the same group that tried to shove vouchers down our throats.

I really don't want a Senator that continues to use fear and God to breed up hate and division. That's how power is maintained when original ideas don't exist.

Here's the facts. Sam Granato is exactly who we need in Washington D.C.. This may be the first time I vote for a Democrat, but it's time. Our state needs a shift.

I even think I will vote for the Democratic candidate for governor.

But, it's time.

zach | 7:31 a.m. June 15, 2009

Eagar's belief that the IB educational program is part of a sinister UN plot is laugable. I went to an IB school and took IB classes and besides offering superior curriculum, there were no differences between the regular classes and IB ones. I finished the class just as conservative as when I started. Just like I didn't suddenly start supporting gay marriage simply because the PTA was in my class. If you want realistic conservatism in Senate from UT vote for Shurtleff.

@Zach | 6:12 a.m. June 30, 2009

The IB is administered from Geneva and circumvents the State Department of Education. The Utah State Office of Education has no research on the effectiveness of the program.

The research shows that there is no data that shows it's any more effective than AP courses, yet it's up to 5 times more expensive.

Having personally discussed IB with the brightest person I know that was in the IB program, they said they would have been further in college if they had not taken the IB courses and that IB was tougher than college.

Eagar has a page explaining her views on this on facebook notes. She never said anything about any UN plot, however looking at what our President is doing, we should start looking there.

Car companies owned by the US? Get real.

Lance | 11:38 a.m. Aug. 3, 2009

VOTE GRANATO! We need someone who understands small business and who wants to bring economic opportunities to Utah's small business community.

bdhar | 2:28 p.m. Sept. 16, 2009

Eagar is a scary, scary lady. Has anyone heard her policy position on immigration. It has more to do with murder than border control or anything else. She's worse than Chaffetz. Utah will undoubtedly voter her into office and reap the whirlwind.

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