I love Utah politics

[Copelius]

This sentiment strikes me as absolutely crazy. I am all for a party recognizing that the goal is to get your person elected, but the secondary goal is to make sure the worst person doesn’t get elected. Goal 1a is pretty much impossible for the Democrats in Utah. Kudos to them for acknowledging that and taking steps to accomplish goal 1b. Wish we saw that more in politics, quite frankly.

Voting against someone rather than for someone is a far more crazy concept to me. But what do I know. At least I serve the purpose to remind people of craziness, although I consider myself far below average in most areas.

[Clark Addison]

Voting against someone rather than for someone is a far more crazy concept to me. But what do I know. At least I serve the purpose to remind people of craziness, although I consider myself far below average in most areas.

I love the idea of voting "for" someone, but we don't need to look any further than our last two presidential elections to see that this is (sadly) just not always possible.

In 2016 I voted for Johnson even though I thought he would be a very bad president if by some miracle he was elected (sorry uncle ted!), because I was dissatisfied with the two major candidates and that was the only way I had to show my dissatisfaction. Plus I knew that our country wasn't dumb enough to elect Trump (oops).

In 2020 I voted for Biden even though I wasn't happy at all with him. It was 100% a vote "against" someone. Biden has been worse that I hoped, and I would 100% vote for him again.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Voting against someone rather than for someone is a far more crazy concept to me. But what do I know. At least I serve the purpose to remind people of craziness, although I consider myself far below average in most areas.

Voting against a guy who worked to overturn the results of a presidential election is crazy?

[Copelius]

Voting against a guy who worked to overturn the results of a presidential election is crazy?

I didn't say you have to vote for him. I don't intend to start now. My precinct must have been in the minority because of the 7 of us that showed up at the caucus only 1 was strong Lee, 1 was willing to listen to him and 5 of us wanted him gone. I think he could be beatable in the primary, but you have Isom and Edwards splitting the votes and resources for those who want an alternative. As has been discussed many times here. The Republican primary is essentially the general for statewide Utah races. I think that is a better place to put any effort to defeat Lee.

My initial criticism was of the Utah Democrats failing to put forth a candidate that was a member of the party. Shouldn't be a surprise since the national party has let a Vermont independent run for its presidential nomination every four years since he lost his state primary.

[smokymountainrain]

I have a friend who was a state delegate and posted updates from yesterday's convention. A few highlights:

- Lt. Gov Deirdre Henderson was roundly booed by many of the delegates and you couldn't hear much of her speech.
- At least one speaker said he was absolutely sure the 2020 election was stolen from Trump
- The guy giving the opening prayer ended with "In the name of Jesus Christ, let's go Brandon"

holy shit. absolute insanity if true.

[Jeff Lebowski]

holy shit. absolute insanity if true.

I saw several people reference the prayer on twitter.

[Bo Diddley]

I saw several people reference the prayer on twitter.

Much more offensive than anything Ute recruits did.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My initial criticism was of the Utah Democrats failing to put forth a candidate that was a member of the party. Shouldn't be a surprise since the national party has let a Vermont independent run for its presidential nomination every four years since he lost his state primary.

The Utah democrats have not won a statewide election in 60 years. There is not a snowball's chance in hell they could win one this year. But with this move, there is a slim but real chance to unseat a truly awful senator. For the life of me, why would you criticize them for doing such a sensible thing? I don't get it.

[USUC]

The Utah democrats have not won a statewide election in 60 years. There is not a snowball's chance in hell they could win one this year. But with this move, there is a slim but real chance to unseat a truly awful senator. For the life of me, why would you criticize them for doing such a sensible thing? I don't get it.

To put my (and perhaps Copelius) opinion under some scrutiny here, do you believe that McMullen is the best candidate the Utah Dems could gotten behind for this type of strategy? This decision seems kind of impulsive or a strategy that wasn't really considered until last week. If this is the case, then I won't necessarily fault them for it other than the usual feckless nature of the state party. But my impression from some talk on twitter (maybe stupid of me to even waste time on) was that this had been in the works for a bit. That could just be false information though. But I feel with some foresight, the non Utah GOP political class could have found a more serious candidate to siphon moderate GOP votes.

[Jeff Lebowski]

To put my (and perhaps Copelius) opinion under some scrutiny here, do you believe that McMullen is the best candidate the Utah Dems could gotten behind for this type of strategy? This decision seems kind of impulsive or a strategy that wasn't really considered until last week. If this is the case, then I won't necessarily fault them for it other than the usual feckless nature of the state party. But my impression from some talk on twitter (maybe stupid of me to even waste time on) was that this had been in the works for a bit. That could just be false information though. But I feel with some foresight, the non Utah GOP political class could have found a more serious candidate to siphon moderate GOP votes.

Who is the better candidate available? Ben McAdams has been lobbying for this to happen for weeks. This was not a last-minute decision.

[Donuthole]

Voting against someone rather than for someone is a far more crazy concept to me. But what do I know. At least I serve the purpose to remind people of craziness, although I consider myself far below average in most areas.

Crazy was probably the wrong adjective. I'm just over so partisan politics and the expectation that party lines are so entrenched that party support must be drawn on one side or the other. I am in favor of any ethical means to keep the crazies from office, irrespective of party affiliation. I especially like the idea of a party saying "let's get behind a more moderate candidate from the other party, as maybe that is the first step to gaining more of a foothold."

I do, however, find it disconcerting that someone intelligent, who has clearly identified Mike Lee as a problem and an unfit candidate, isn't willing to embrace an idea that has a slight chance of replacing him because a party isn't staying in their lane. Even if the replacement isn't someone who inspires, he's also probably not someone who is going to get caught up in seditious attempts to maintain power. Best case, Lee is ousted and McMillen surprises with his competence. Slightly worse case, Lee is ousted, McMillen is a dud, and we have 6 years to figure out who to get behind.

[smokymountainrain]

I saw several people reference the prayer on twitter.

brutal.

[All-American]

I saw several people reference the prayer on twitter.

I think that is perfectly appropriate. "Let's go Brandon" is a substitute phrase for something else-- he doesn't really mean what he says. Including that phrase makes it clear that when he said "In the name of Jesus Christ," he didn't really mean that either.

[USUC]

Who is the better candidate available? Ben McAdams has been lobbying for this to happen for weeks. This was not a last-minute decision.

I understand that there is no better candidate now. But if this was not a last minute decision, I think a candidate less tied to the bureaucratic class and more consistent would have been better. We'll see how his campaign rolls out and on what issues he makes his platform. If it's "Mike Lee is terrible" heavy at the expense of inflation, or SCOTUS, or spending, deregularion, etc., he won't really offer anything much to the "immoral" base.

[Copelius]

Crazy was probably the wrong adjective. I'm just over so partisan politics and the expectation that party lines are so entrenched that party support must be drawn on one side or the other. I am in favor of any ethical means to keep the crazies from office, irrespective of party affiliation. I especially like the idea of a party saying "let's get behind a more moderate candidate from the other party, as maybe that is the first step to gaining more of a foothold."

I do, however, find it disconcerting that someone intelligent, who has clearly identified Mike Lee as a problem and an unfit candidate, isn't willing to embrace an idea that has a slight chance of replacing him because a party isn't staying in their lane. Even if the replacement isn't someone who inspires, he's also probably not someone who is going to get caught up in seditious attempts to maintain power. Best case, Lee is ousted and McMillen surprises with his competence. Slightly worse case, Lee is ousted, McMillen is a dud, and we have 6 years to figure out who to get behind.

I may still vote for McMullin in the general. It won't be for Lee. My main message to Republicans is let's get rid of Lee in the primary. My message to Democrats is if none of you are electable, maybe you should look in the mirror rather than to outside sources.