The Utah Senate race

[DU Ute]

When West Virginia kicks out Byrd or Rockefeller, let me know. Speaking of those Senators from West Virginia, Bennett's defeat just made them a little more powerful. He also made Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Pattie Murray and Maria Cantwell a little more powerful. A little more entrenched. Thus is the reality of the seniority system. Fight it and hate it, but don't deny it.

This is an excellent point, especially when you consider the source.

[Moliere]

I thought a read that Bennett would win a general election. It's the Republican party delegates that he doesn't represent.

I saw that as well but thought I'd still take a cheap shot at Utahns.

Bennett probably represents Utah very well, however the Glenn Beck movement seems to be strong and vibrant in Utah.

[YOhio]

You know, we voters do get what we deserve. It seems a lot of you bright, articulate folks like the power in Washington, wheeling dealing, type of government.

Thanks, Joe Biden.

[Solon]

I thought a read that Bennett would win a general election. It's the Republican party delegates that he doesn't represent.

Bennett himself said something to this effect. I remember reading that he said "just get me to the general election" or something like that - meaning that he could win a state-wide race more readily than the primary.

Throughout the country, gerry-mandering and demographic factors have so polarized the nation by districts that the primaries are often the decisive elections rather than the general elections in November. Since generally the most ardent supporters show up to the primaries (and independents aren't allowed to vote), the winning candidates often represent the extreme wing of the party's platform. I realize that a Senate race is state-wide, but I think we can safely say that Utah is a pretty republican "district."

See Bishop's The Big Sort for some pretty interesting analysis of the polarization of America. Check out the maps on the website. They're very revealing.

[Jeff Lebowski]

We dont' know that. It is based on a Dan Jones survey. I might be wrong, but I think the Dan Jones survey had Bennett not losing in the delegate count.

I see where the latest survey has 51% of Utahns if they could voting Hatch out, of course that survey would include democrats.

You know, we voters do get what we deserve. It seems a lot of you bright, articulate folks like the power in Washington, wheeling dealing, type of government.

IMHO, it isn't Wall ST., the big oil companies and all the boogey men who have brought us to this federal defecit, housing, banking collapse, it is the good ole boys in Washington.

However, I also like Utah and like living in Utah, so what do I know.

Geez, how many times do I have to link this poll?

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14999322?source=rv

[byu71]

Geez, how many times do I have to link this poll?

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14999322?source=rv

Probably a few more times if you are trying to prove by the poll Bennett would win in a primary. Looking at the poll, I see Bennett has 39%. Now assuming the right wing wacko's who back Lee and Bridgewater wouldn't gavitate to Bennett but would to the "right wing wacko" candidate left, it is now 39% to 34%.

My guess would be the unsure's, could be persuaded by tons of "we lose power" in Washington adds to swing to Bennett and he would probably win. Probably is the operative word. Everyone who just assumes Bennett would win in a primary though I think shouldn't be so sure with a 39%, would vote for him count amongst all republicans.

[LA Ute]

I am pretty sure that historically, there is little correlation between how well a candidate does in the convention, one hand hand, an in either the primary or general elections in Utah, on the other. That's what happens in caucus systems - the candidate who is best-organized wins.

Now, Bob Bennett knew the rules, and when you run for statewide office in Utah, you sign up for the caucus and convention system. Maybe Bennett should have spent more time and money on getting his people out to the neighborhood meetings.

'71, I don't think the people who threw Bennett out are right-wing whackos. I do think they are ill-informed and justifiably very upset about the federal government, and they took it out on Bennett. That's politics. I'm just not going to stand up and cheer over Bennett's demise as if it were some great victory for democracy. I know you aren't doing that either.

[byu71]

I do think they are ill-informed and justifiably very upset about the federal government, and they took it out on Bennett. That's politics. I'm just not going to stand up and cheer over Bennett's demise as if it were some great victory for democracy. I know you aren't doing that either.

We are very close to agreeing. Instead of using the words ill-informed, I might say have the wrong priorities when it comes to playing the political game. In not playing the game, it could hurt them in the long run.

[LA Ute]

We are very close to agreeing. Instead of using the words ill-informed, I might say have the wrong priorities when it comes to playing the political game. In not playing the game, it could hurt them in the long run.

Maybe naive is the right word.

[beefytee]

I am pretty sure that historically, there is little correlation between how well a candidate does in the convention, one hand hand, an in either the primary or general elections in Utah, on the other. That's what happens in caucus systems - the candidate who is best-organized wins.

Now, Bob Bennett knew the rules, and when you run for statewide office in Utah, you sign up for the caucus and convention system. Maybe Bennett should have spent more time and money on getting his people out to the neighborhood meetings.

'71, I don't think the people who threw Bennett out are right-wing whackos. I do think they are ill-informed and justifiably very upset about the federal government, and they took it out on Bennett. That's politics. I'm just not going to stand up and cheer over Bennett's demise as if it were some great victory for democracy. I know you aren't doing that either.

I don't think it was simply about organization. I don't think Bennett's organization was the problem. Or that the other's were much better.

Support played a big role in this and the anti-Bennett's cared enough to show up at the caucus meetings. The others did not.

We got a lot of calls on both sides to show up at the caucuses.

[SoonerCoug]

'71, I don't think the people who threw Bennett out are right-wing whackos. I do think they are ill-informed and justifiably very upset about the federal government, and they took it out on Bennett.

My current definition of a whacko Republican is one who thinks taxes are too high right now.

Federal, state and local taxes — including income, property, sales and other taxes — consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports. That rate is far below the historic average of 12% for the past half-century. The overall tax burden hit bottom in December at 8.8.% of income before rising slightly in the first three months of 2010.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...s11_st.art.htm

[byu71]

My current definition of a whacko Republican is one who thinks taxes are too high right now.


http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...s11_st.art.htm

Good, I wouldn't want you to think I am whacko. I definitely don't think your taxes are too high right now.

[LA Ute]

My current definition of a whacko Republican is one who thinks taxes are too high right now.

Federal, state and local taxes — including income, property, sales and other taxes — consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports. That rate is far below the historic average of 12% for the past half-century. The overall tax burden hit bottom in December at 8.8.% of income before rising slightly in the first three months of 2010.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...s11_st.art.htm

To call people "whackos" because they think taxes are too high is a pretty whacko tactic to begin with. Among other things, it renders the word "whacko" meaningless.

Let me just say that my failure to respond further to your post does not mean I agree with you. I think your reasoning is woefully narrow and specious. But we can agree to disagree. I'll let '71 whale on you instead.

[SoonerCoug]

To call people "whackos" because they think taxes are too high is a pretty whacko tactic to begin with. Among other things, it renders the word "whacko" meaningless.

Let me just say that my failure to respond further to your post does not mean I agree with you. I think your reasoning is woefully narrow and specious. But we can agree to disagree. I'll let '71 whale on you instead.

Even USA Today reports that taxes are at their lowest since Truman was president. USA Today is not exactly a liberal news organization.

[il Padrino Ute]

My current definition of a whacko Republican is one who thinks taxes are too high right now.

Federal, state and local taxes — including income, property, sales and other taxes — consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports. That rate is far below the historic average of 12% for the past half-century. The overall tax burden hit bottom in December at 8.8.% of income before rising slightly in the first three months of 2010.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...s11_st.art.htm

Then I guess you think I'm a right-wing whacko. Of course, I think you're a left-wing whacko if you don't think taxes are too high, so it balances out.