The Utah Senate race

[Jarid in Cedar]

Serious question IPU, as someone who self identified as more right wing, what were your thought on Bennett getting ousted?

[YOhio]

In Utah it looks like having the right dad (or even grandfather) is more helpful than most places.

Mike and Dixie Leavitt are another one.

I agree with your post. Senator Bennett was a good representative of Utah. He wasn't a perfect politician, as if their were one, but he demonstrated sound judgment and the mild temperament that is currently in short supply in Washington, DC.

I still remember his initial primary run in 1992. Jake Garn had retired and there was a hotly contested race to for his seat. The two main contenders were Joe Cannon (speaking of Utah political families) and Bob Bennett. Cannon started early with advertising and quickly became a household name. One of his more famous commercials showed him filling up his natural gas powered Ford Explorer; likely to rebut opponents' claims that he was a polluter vis a vis his Geneva Steel environmental track record.

Both Cannon and Bennett unleashed the big guns at the convention, which at the time was small enough held at some High School in SLC (to us kids from Price, they all seemed gigantic). FranklinQuest planners (Bennett was CEO of the company at the time he ran) were quite popular and Bennett's campaign gave away a handful of free planner and pages. The speeches were excellent; full of hoopla, confetti, balloons and CO2 cannons. When it came time for Cannon, the crowd was regaled by Lee Greenwood singing Proud to be an American live and in person. It was right after the Gulf War and that was a very popular song. There were a handful of other candidates, but these two were the only serious contenders. Bennett took Cannon down in the primary by only a handful of percentage points, after Cannon had spent around $5M of his own money on the campaign. I believe it's still the most expensive Utah primary in history.

[SeattleUte]

Mike and Dixie Leavitt are another one.

I agree with your post. Senator Bennett was a good representative of Utah. He wasn't a perfect politician, as if their were one, but he demonstrated sound judgment and the mild temperament that is currently in short supply in Washington, DC.

I still remember his initial primary run in 1992. Jake Garn had retired and there was a hotly contested race to for his seat. The two main contenders were Joe Cannon (speaking of Utah political families) and Bob Bennett. Cannon started early with advertising and quickly became a household name. One of his more famous commercials showed him filling up his natural gas powered Ford Explorer; likely to rebut opponents' claims that he was a polluter vis a vis his Geneva Steel environmental track record.

Both Cannon and Bennett unleashed the big guns at the convention, which at the time was small enough held at some High School in SLC (to us kids from Price, they all seemed gigantic). FranklinQuest planners (Bennett was CEO of the company at the time he ran) were quite popular and Bennett's campaign gave away a handful of free planner and pages. The speeches were excellent; full of hoopla, confetti, balloons and CO2 cannons. When it came time for Cannon, the crowd was regaled by Lee Greenwood singing Proud to be an American live and in person. It was right after the Gulf War and that was a very popular song. There were a handful of other candidates, but these two were the only serious contenders. Bennett took Cannon down in the primary by only a handful of percentage points, after Cannon had spent around $5M of his own money on the campaign. I believe it's still the most expensive Utah primary in history.

My wife still lives by her FranklinQuest. She says she sould die a thousand deaths if she lost it.

[venkman]

I don't get all the hand wringing. Sure, I guess Bennett had a good conservative rating, but he voted for TARP, co-sponsored a universal health care bill and was for amnesty. There are certainly worse Senators in the GOP, but I'm not sad to see him go. If moderate GOPers are sick of right wing wackos hijacking their party then show up for precinct meetings and vote in your delegates.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Mike and Dixie Leavitt are another one.

I agree with your post. Senator Bennett was a good representative of Utah. He wasn't a perfect politician, as if their were one, but he demonstrated sound judgment and the mild temperament that is currently in short supply in Washington, DC.

I still remember his initial primary run in 1992. Jake Garn had retired and there was a hotly contested race to for his seat. The two main contenders were Joe Cannon (speaking of Utah political families) and Bob Bennett. Cannon started early with advertising and quickly became a household name. One of his more famous commercials showed him filling up his natural gas powered Ford Explorer; likely to rebut opponents' claims that he was a polluter vis a vis his Geneva Steel environmental track record.

Both Cannon and Bennett unleashed the big guns at the convention, which at the time was small enough held at some High School in SLC (to us kids from Price, they all seemed gigantic). FranklinQuest planners (Bennett was CEO of the company at the time he ran) were quite popular and Bennett's campaign gave away a handful of free planner and pages. The speeches were excellent; full of hoopla, confetti, balloons and CO2 cannons. When it came time for Cannon, the crowd was regaled by Lee Greenwood singing Proud to be an American live and in person. It was right after the Gulf War and that was a very popular song. There were a handful of other candidates, but these two were the only serious contenders. Bennett took Cannon down in the primary by only a handful of percentage points, after Cannon had spent around $5M of his own money on the campaign. I believe it's still the most expensive Utah primary in history.

I remember that campaign. That was the first election that I could vote. As I have always been independant, I didn't participate in the caudus, but I thought that whoever the winner, Utah would be well represented. I subsequently voted for Bennett, Orton, and Clinton in that election.

[il Padrino Ute]

Serious question IPU, as someone who self identified as more right wing, what were your thought on Bennett getting ousted?

I'm not happy about it. As much as I hate the games in politics, they need to be played and Utah just hurt itself by ousting a guy who was in position to really benefit the state.

That said, Bennett only has himself to blame. He knew what the state delegates here are like, so he should have tried to do the things they wanted him to do.

I was rolling my eyes at SU because his derogatory comments about Utahns is just another example of his irrational hatred for Mormons. He lives in Washington for hell's sakes. That is one <redacted> up state when it comes to politics.

[DU Ute]

This whole thing makes me sick. Based on my past life in Utah political campaigns, I'll bet there is no shortage of glee in certain hard-right Utah circles. I admit I am emotional about this. I know Sen. Bennett and many of his kids and extended family. He is a good, smart, kind, thoughtful man, and a very good Republican (which matters to me).

This is a bit of a tangent, but I understand Mike Lee is the favorite to win the nomination, which means he'll be in the U.S. Senate - at least until he does something dastardly, like vote for TARP. Utahns do seem to have a history of voting for the sons of famous men. Wallace Benett - Bob Bennett. Jon Huntsman - Huntsman Jr. Now Rex Lee - Mike Lee. (I forgot Scott Matheson Sr. - Jim Matheson.)

It's a wonder Orrin Hatch's kids didn't move back to Utah to cash in. Speaking of Orrin, is the Utah GOP going to throw him out too? I think he voted for TARP.

When GW Bush got elected it was historic to have another father-son presidency - I think it had happened only twice before, and it had been well over a century since the last time. In Utah it looks like having the right dad (or even grandfather) is more helpful than most places.

I wouldn't mind this trend continuing if it meant more politicians like Bennett, Huntsman and Matheson. I'm afraid Lee would break this trend.

It would be great if the Democrats ran someone that could pull in all the centrists and eked out a win, but Lee or Bridgewater would have to do something crazy for that to even be a possibility. This system needs to change, it's scary that a couple thousand people can oust a US Senator.

[il Padrino Ute]

I don't get all the hand wringing. Sure, I guess Bennett had a good conservative rating, but he voted for TARP, co-sponsored a universal health care bill and was for amnesty. There are certainly worse Senators in the GOP, but I'm not sad to see him go. If moderate GOPers are sick of right wing wackos hijacking their party then show up for precinct meetings and vote in your delegates.

I agree with you about the more moderate people in the GOP here. They bitch and moan about what's going on, but they just sit on their hineys rather than get involved.

[YOhio]

I don't get all the hand wringing. Sure, I guess Bennett had a good conservative rating, but he voted for TARP, co-sponsored a universal health care bill and was for amnesty. There are certainly worse Senators in the GOP, but I'm not sad to see him go. If moderate GOPers are sick of right wing wackos hijacking their party then show up for precinct meetings and vote in your delegates.

My biggest problem is that Bennett was in an incredible position of power on the appropriations committee, specifically on the energy and water subcommittee. Considering that he is a vital appropriator for the DOI and DOE, he can provide a very strong check against this administration and their federal land policy in Utah. Remember Bill Clinton standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon announcing the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument? No way he would have done that if Utah had a Senator in Bennett's current position.

[YOhio]

I agree with you about the more moderate people in the GOP here. They bitch and moan about what's going on, but they just sit on their hineys rather than get involved.

Because what you're doing isn't bitching and moaning...

[Jarid in Cedar]

I'm not happy about it. As much as I hate the games in politics, they need to be played and Utah just hurt itself by ousting a guy who was in position to really benefit the state.

That said, Bennett only has himself to blame. He knew what the state delegates here are like, so he should have tried to do the things they wanted him to do.

I was rolling my eyes at SU because his derogatory comments about Utahns is just another example of his irrational hatred for Mormons. He lives in Washington for hell's sakes. That is one <redacted> up state when it comes to politics.

I understood that part. I was just wondering about your opinion of the days events.

I have a problem with change for change sake(isn't that what helped propel Obama). I can see being frustrated by a guy and wanting to see him out. I don't see doing it will little thought to who is going to replace him after he leaves. Similarly, I cannot understand the Dems putting Matheson through a primary. Matheson has been able to hold that spot by being a moderate. If they force him out in favor of someone who will toe the Dems party line better, they will definitely lose that seat. Matheson has earned the respect and votes of enough republicans in his district by voting a moderate line. Replace him on the ballot with someone who does not have the same political capital, and those republican cross over votes will go away.

[pellegrino]

My biggest problem is that Bennett was in an incredible position of power on the appropriations committee, specifically on the energy and water subcommittee. Considering that he is a vital appropriator for the DOI and DOE, he can provide a very strong check against this administration and their federal land policy in Utah. Remember Bill Clinton standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon announcing the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument? No way he would have done that if Utah had a Senator in Bennett's current position.

It looks like Utah will get what it deserves.

[il Padrino Ute]

Because what you're doing isn't bitching and moaning...

I was at the state convention today and supported my dad as he cast his vote for Bob Bennett. You've no idea about my involvement on a local level.

[YOhio]

I was at the state convention today and supported my dad as he cast his vote for Bob Bennett. You've no idea about my involvement on a local level.

Once again you underestimate me. I pretty much know everything about all of your involvement at every level.

[YOhio]

Similarly, I cannot understand the Dems putting Matheson through a primary. Matheson has been able to hold that spot by being a moderate. If they force him out in favor of someone who will toe the Dems party line better, they will definitely lose that seat. Matheson has earned the respect and votes of enough republicans in his district by voting a moderate line. Replace him on the ballot with someone who does not have the same political capital, and those republican cross over votes will go away.

Amen. Especially when the opposing candidate is who she is. She wouldn't get 20% of the total vote outside SL County.