Deseret News | Does anyone have shot at defeating Bennett?

Reader comments
Pignanelli and Webb: Does anyone have shot at defeating Bennett?

Shurtleff = Corrupt | 12:19 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

There is only one word that comes to mind when I think of Shurtleff and that is corrupt. I am so glad that he is running against Bennett because he is going to lose and we can finally get rid of an AG who has done anything but the job we voted him in to do. Hopefully our next AG will actually prosecute crimes even if they are committed by breakfast buddies.

Bennett Irony | 12:26 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Bennett gets things done and that's why far right conservatives hate him. Chaffetz does nothing, and they love him. How long before people come to their senses?

Libertarian mom | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

We need term limitations on a national level.Bennett and Hatch have both been in office too long.Neither are in touch with the people of Utah and have become entrenched in the DC political hierarchy. Case in point, both Hatch and Bennett tacked on over 150 million dollars in spending, each, to the stimulus bill, then voted no on it, knowing it would pass anyway. That's hypocrisy. I'm so disgusted with politics as usual that I would vote them all out of office, but there are some good leaders there, in both parties, Mattheson and Chaffetz included. I'm tired of politicians who don't listen to the people; who label anyone who disagrees with Washington as a conspiracy kook, hatemonger, or racist; who cannot see beyond the beltway; and who think they are entitled to their job by some kind of divine edict. We are a republic, not an oligarchy, but an oligarchy is what we have. Put the most power locally, where the people can watch it closely. The federal government should have no power not allowed it beyond the 10th amendment.

Comments continue below

Kyle | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

@Bennett Irony ("Chaffetz does nothing, and they love him.")

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I love anyone who says "no" to bad ideas. I'll sooner vote for someone who takes bad laws off the books than for someone who adds more.

tenx | 9:12 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Vote all incumbents out!

SL | 11:48 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

If Utah can't find someone better than Bennett, then it is a bankrupt state.

BJ | 11:48 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Well said, Libertarian Mom!!

Utah Dem | 1:31 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Libertarian Mom - cannot agree with you more! If one cannot accomplish the desires of their constituents within a reasonable amount of time (say two terms for a senator and six terms for a rep) then come home. The US Congress should never be a career.

GAME PLAN | 2:38 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Any politican who BLAMES THE OPPOSITION will be terminated.

Anyone elected cannot become a lobbyist, EVER, after their period of service.

These two provisions alone would do much to begin to solve the problems WE THE PEOPLE have with politicans.

These two provisions would NOT ADD ONE PENNY TO THE NATIONAL DEBT.

my slc | 2:44 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Utah had term limits beginning in the early 1990's for state representatives but the Legislature repealed its own term limits laws in 2003.

Go figure.

Anonymous | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Game Plan I said as much about former politicos becoming lobbyists whe I watch Frank "the Crank" Church suffer defeat and settle right in with a lobbyist firm in DC.. He NEVER moved back to Idaho where I was raised...Right ON, Go game plan

Pete the Spud

Mike | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Why are Frank and LaVarr so quick to defend Bennett and to ignore his enormous, unapologetic contribution to our national debt. Could it be that, as lobbyists, both make money as a result of their relationship with Bennett, money that may be lost if Bennett is defeated? If so, how can they in good faith engage in such blatant, thinly veiled advocacy on Bennett's behalf? This puff piece is "Exhibit A" for why we need a change. What I find most insulting is that Frank and LaVarr seem to be marginalizing anyone who isn't pleased with Bennett as part of the "far right" wing of the Republican party. As one who know many hundreds, if not thousands, of likely 2010 delegates who are displeased with Bennett -- but can in now way be dismissed as right-wing wackos -- I find this characterization grossly inaccurate, unfair, and the product of both ignorance and self-interested bias.

El Guapote | 3:50 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Since when does believing that the govenment shouldn't spend more money than it earns, especially in increments approaching a trillion dollars at a time, make me member of the rar-right-wing extreme? And since when are we expected (by otherwise-smart people like Frand and LaVarr) to re-elect spend-happy leaders simply because they are powerful (by virtue of our prior willingness to re-elect them) and are therefore in a position to help local, well-funded interests that can afford lobbyists? This isn't church. Nor is it a nation governed by a monarchy. We therefore need not, and therefore should not, reflexively support people merely because they are currently in office.

Indiana | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Ok, for the guy at the top that says Shurtleff is corrupt, prove it. You have no proof of that and it is libelous. He is a wonderful man who cares deeply for virtue, kids and a drug free society (for which he fights very hard).

Bennett is a good man, but I am losing confidence in his judgment. I am dumbfounded why he and Hatch both voted for Cass Sunstein who has some pretty interesting ideas about America particularly the 2nd amendment. I am afraid that vote cost them my vote.

A. State Delegate | 5:05 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

First of all, well said Libertarian Mom. I only disagree on the term limit statement. The Constitution gives the Senators a term limit every 6 years. The people need to use it.

Frank and LaVarr base their comments on how they see political parties operating, in spite of what the people think or want. They both believe that the candidate with the most money and powerful supporters deserves to win, and will win. This belief comes from their view that the people are too politically stupid to do anything about it. (Often I have to agree with them) They have both been politicians and have seen the guts of party politics.

In 2008 we saw this political view put into disarray by the campaign of Jason Chaffetz, who ousted a six term "conservative" congressman, who thought that he could play the tune of the wealthy and politically powerful, and turn his back on the people themselves. Bennett is still of the old school that thinks political power and money wins, but there seems to me a fresh breeze blowing in Utah.

Bennett ignored the people on comprehensive immigration reform, the TARP, and slavishly supporting the Bush Administration.

What about Cherilyn Eagar | 7:08 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

most delegates I have spoken to do not want to replace a 3 term incumbent with a 3 term incumbent.

Since April, they have been looking for someone else besides Shurtleff to replace Bennett.

Besides these two, we have Granato, Williams and Cherilyn Eagar. Out of all of them, the only one that can win at convention is Eagar, who would then challange Granato.

Most delegates would rather have almost anyone besides Shurtleff or Bennett.

What are these two doing, putting their heads in the sand?

Who showed up to the last Utah GOP Central committee meeting? Bennett and Shurtleff were on the agenda. They didn't show. Cherilyn Eagar came, and met members at even talked.

Who was in 3rd place at the Utah County GOP straw poll? Bennett was behind Eagar.

Who spoke to thousands at the 9.12 rally? Eagar. No Bennett and no Shurleff.

Mark isn't the only Choice | 7:11 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Mark Shurtleff and his office attend illegal immigrant gatherings with his message to cheering crowds: “Documented or undocumented, we welcome you!”

I realize he is trying to tell ICE he will only work with them if the ignore the status of victims and witnesses. Shurtleff is in a tough place to be, but it does matter the status.

Do you think that is going to go over next year?

An Observer | 9:20 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

UNIL we given a real choice of who we can vote for,

it will be very difdicult to get incumbents out.

Siurtleff and Bennett are 6 of one and half a dozen of another, they are both political peas of the same RINO pod.

and since the democrat choice is much worse,

Once again the voters of utah have no real choice.

Ann | 9:51 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

As someone previously pointed out, Bennett and Shurtleff both jumped back to the conservative side of the river when they saw which way the flow was going. I want to vote for a candidate who won't be in it for a career and who is now and has always been a conservative who loves and honors the Constitution. So far that candidate is Cherilyn Eagar. She is not backed by big business interests. She has stated unequivocally that she is for fiscal restraint, strong defense, less Federal control and more power returned to the states.

Anonymous | 10:11 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

The headline should have read, "Is it possible for Bennett to keep his seat," or "Can any incumbent survive?"

I do not know one person or delegate who would support this man at this stage of the game and all the money in the world will not diminish from my mind that he has contributed to our dismal state.

I do not believe that Shurtleff is a sure second choice bet. The people are tired of the lessor of two evils choice. Or as a friend of mine said, in todays political climate just about anyone of good character who is a friend of the people and the Constitution could defeat these incumbents.

I believe that their days are numbered. That receiving an endorsement by another incumbent career politician will guaranty a defeat. In fact I believe that incumbent is quickly becoming a liability not an asset.

Even the politically ignorant can sense a palpable something is amiss. Many who are more politically astute are in the process of educating them on the proper role of government and helping them to discern and avoid rhetorical propaganda. It is only a matter of time before the people regain their country.

And the real choice is: | 10:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Principles for a Change.

Fiscal Restraint
Limited Government
Free Market Solutions
Energy Independence
Strong National Defense

... not only abroad and along our borders, but within our communities and our families.

Principled. Passionate. Persuasive. Prepared.

Cherilyn Eagar for U.S. Senate

C | 10:59 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Frank and LaVarr have been blindsided a few time lately. I doubt they can truly predict who is viable anymore.

Shurtleff is more of the same we'll have to remove in one term and the delegates know it. Shurtleff really isn't that popular with the delegates, I have seen their dislike of him at convention.

I am for Eagar | 12:07 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

She has my vote because she is not going to let Washington rule our State she is the only one that I can see who will stand up for the people and not those back there that only want favors. She will win big time once the people of this great State see what she is all about.

Founding Fathers | 1:02 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Right Wing Extremists? *roll eyes*

Like Bob "Bailout" Bennett, you two are grounded in the outdated Fringe Media (formerly MSM) paradigm:

Anybody who loves Liberty, understands the Constitution of the United States of America, & has educated themselves about the Founding Fathers, is therefore a pro-liberty patriot, or as you would call them, "Right Wing Extremists."

Well I've got news for you two political dinosaurs who clearly don't get it: the paradigm has shifted.

Americans are waking up. Anybody who can claim that Bennett hasn't betrayed the Principles that once made the Republican Party great, and can again, is a leftist; a pretty extreme one. Bennett sold my family/posterity out for power and cash. He's a traitor (to a lesser extent, so is Hatch; he won't listen, just like Bennett, he keeps trying to sell us on his delusion that he's indispensable).

Shurtleff? Ugh...just like "Bailout" Bennett, Shurtleff is a John McCain "Progressive," or what you would call a "moderate." Unprincipled. Unethical. Which is why the fringe media loves him. But like Obama, he gives a good speech.

Fired up? Ready to go?

Eagar's the only option for liberty lovers.

Eagar will win | 4:23 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I don't agree with the person above that thinks Shurtleff is corrupt. I do believe he is not the answer we need and I agree he has not been the conservative he is saying he now is.

Bennett has now outlived his welcome.

The only other GOP option that is viable is Eagar. She has my vote.

MarkS | 6:52 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Frank hates the caucus/convention system, supposedly because it caters to 'right wing extremists'. I believe he favors the Democratic approach, which is to have party leaders select candidates before the caucus and avoid competing votes, as much as possible. Thanks for your openness!

Cherilyn Eagar | 3:33 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Cherilyn Eagar could hardly win a race for city council, much less the U.S. Senate. Get real. She is simply pandering to the right wing nutjobs, and doesn't have a snowball's chance of winning. She is the "Ron Paul" of the Utah Republican Party.

Unlike Chaffetz, she is in WAY over her head in this race. She is persistent, but rude. She lacks both charisma and experience. She is making A LOT of novice mistakes and will not be mistaken by the delegates as a serious contender.

RodH | 3:48 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Shurtleff picks and chooses the cases he is willing to go after way too much, He allows friends to get off the hook and goes is too often on the wrong side of the issue for Utah values. He is a deal maker and a politician. What about the case where he went after the parents who had a son with cancer because they would not do what the doctors told them. Issues such as marriage, parental rights and many others Shurtleff is on the wrong side, flip flops decision making and regularly leads people to believe how he stands on certain issues depending on who he talks to.

We need a statesman who will stand on strong principles and values and will not budge even when difficult. Bennett and Hatch have both let us down by compromising away our freedoms and then celebrating these compromises while hiding what they've done, being unavailable to their constituents, or acting as if they know what we the people need better than we do.

I will vote for Cherilyn Eagar. Williams, who is also running should get more attention as well. Think for yourself and vote for the right person.

Eagar Endorsed Romney | 9:57 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

@Cherilyn Eagar: If Cherilyn Eagar were the "Ron Paul" of the Utah Republican Party, then she would have endorsed Ron Paul in the Primary election. As with many the the Utah Republican Party, she agrees with many of Congressman Paul's princples, such as the recent resolution the state central committee passed to audit the Federal Reserve and co-sponsored by about 238 other members of Congress, she is not a libertarian.

Her support, style and principles go way back to another Ron - Ron Reagan.

Anyone but Bennett | 7:38 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Egar sounds good. To be honest I think that I would prefer anyone to Bennett at this time. We need to teach him, and all others who would betray us in supporting the bank bailouts, a lesson. I believe that supercedes any other factor in the upcoming election.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.