Sen. Bennett Loses GOP Nomination: And so it Begins

From Politico:

Sen. Robert Bennett lost his party’s nomination during the second round of voting at the GOP state convention Saturday, making the three-term Senator the first incumbent to fall in this volatile midterm election cycle.

Bennett finished in third place in the crucial second-round vote, garnering just 26 percent of the delegates’ support, well behind Tea Party-backed attorney Mike Lee and businessman Tim Bridgewater, who will advance to the June 22nd primary.

“The political atmosphere obviously has been toxic and it’s very clear that some of the votes I have cast have added to the toxic environment,” Bennett acknowledged in a brief media availability with reporters shortly after he was eliminated in the second round of voting.

“Looking back on them, with one or two very minor exceptions, I wouldn’t have cast any of them any differently, even if I had known at the time they were going to cost me my career,” he continued.

Bennett was dogged by his support for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and for co-sponsoring a healthcare bill with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.). To help make his case to the 3,452 delegates, he even tapped the star power of former

Massachusetts governor – and fellow Mormon – Mitt Romney to make a final pitch.
But in the end, the furor stirring at the grassroots level of the party over spending and the growth of government was too much for him to overcome.

Read more here.

Utah's Republican Party Caucus

From Instapundit:

Utah Tea Party organizer David Kirkham sends this report from last night's Republican Party caucusing:

Here is the report on Caucus night here in Utah. Here in Utah we elect delegates to the Republican convention. At convention, if a candidate gets 60% of the delegate vote, they immediately advance to general election with NO primary. This levels the playing field so candidates with relatively little money can challenge an entrenched incumbent.

Tonight I ran for precinct chair in my district. We usually have 40 people show up to caucus night. Tonight we had 67. Everyone running to be a delegate (the chair is automatically a state and county delegate) was allowed a 2 minute speech, then 5 minutes for questions. In my speech I told them I organized Utah's first Tea Party a year ago. Applause. I told them I have helped to organize more than I can remember–maybe 14 or so. More applause. I told them I was not involved in politics at all before the Tea Parties. I had never even voted in a primary before this year–though I did vote in all the general elections.

I told them about our factory in Poland and how I would NEVER vote for Socialism. My first question was if I would vote for Bennett. I said, "Absolutely not." "Why not?" I was asked. "Because he voted for TARP and the bailouts. He voted to turn out the lights." Big applause. The next guy got up and said pretty much the same thing about Bennett (he later became Vice-Chair). A third guy got up and said how much we needed Bennett. He extolled how much we needed his experience and influence. Then, we voted. I got 58 of 67 votes cast in the first count. (Now, I think that was more of a vote for the Tea Party and a vote against Bennett more than anything I said–I'm just another blade of grass in the movement.)
Next we voted for Vice Chair. A Bennett supporter came in last out of 3.

Then we voted for State Delegates. A Bennett supporter came in last out of 2.

Then we voted for County Delegates. We have 5 in our precinct and 6 people ran. County delegates don't even vote for state seats like Senators at convention–only state delegates do. No matter, the first question EVERYONE asked–"Are you going to vote for Bennett?" The lone Bennett supporter came in tied for last out of the 6–he then conceded the seat.

Conclusion: My Tea Party buddies texted me all night from their own precincts as Bennett supporters fell. EVERYWHERE, Bennett was toxic. In our straw poll, Bennett came in 3rd. Maybe there is hope after all.


UPDATE: Reader Randy Simmons emails: "My caucus was exactly the opposite. At the caucus meeting two years ago there were 8 people who attended. This time there were 45. Forty-two of them supported Bob Bennett. Almost all of them were highly offended by the Club for Growth campaign against Bennett. In private conversations it appeared that nearly everyone would support Mike Lee, Bennett's main opponent, over Senator Hatch but not over Senator Bennett. This caucus meeting was in Cache County, one of the more conservative areas of the state and I was the only person in the room employed at the university so they were not a bunch of pointy-headed intellectuals living off the state."

ANOTHER UPDATE: More reporting from Utah. "9 people showed up for the last precinct caucus – there were over 50 last night. I lost by 2 votes. BUT THIS IS THE KICKER — I lost to Senator Bennett's BROTHER. I knew that I live in a pretty entrenched area for Senator Bennett, and I knew I was running against his brother for state delegate, and I knew it was a long shot – BUT I ONLY LOST BY 2 VOTES."

Dan Fisher for State and County Delegate for the Utah Republican Party in Precinct 4626

My good friend Dan Fisher is running for reelection as a state and county delegate for the Utah Republican Party in precinct 4626. If any of you can attend, and lend him your support, it would be appreciated.

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Dan Fisher, and I am currently serving my first term as your state and county delegate for the Utah Republican Party in precinct 4626. I am seeking your vote for my re-election at the upcoming caucus meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 23 at Brighton High School.

I am planning on running for a second term, as I am ever more concerned that fiscal irresponsibility, neglect of our constitution, and a gross misunderstanding of the role of government has become pervasive in our nation among democrats and republicans alike.

I have met, and individually vetted candidates for the upcoming senate race, and I feel that Mike Lee, Tim Bridgewater, and Cheryln Eagar all show wonderful potential. I also feel they are far more concerned with our constitutional liberties than is our current Senator, Bob Bennett. Although I have not committed myself to a particular candidate, I plan to cast my vote for the candidate that has the deepest commitment to the constitution, and the best understanding of free-market economics and fiscal responsibility. This same standard will be applied to my choice for governor, and our national house representative.

Again, I would sincerely appreciate your vote, and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming caucus meeting. I would be happy to further discuss my background and reasons for running for this important position, and can be contacted at the phone number or email address listed above.

Sincerely,

Dan Fisher

Precinct 4626 State and County DelegateUtah Republican Party

PRECINCT 4626 CAUCUS INFO:
March 23, 2010
Brighton High School
2220 East Bengal Boulevard7:00 p.m.

Congressman Matheson's Brother Appointed to Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

As far as Democrats go, Matheson hasn't been too bad. He is moderate with mixed votes on abortion, he supports traditional marriage, and voted against the health bill. Still, I've always thought that the most Republican state in the Union can do better than this guy. If the recent allegations that he is being bought off are correct, and I am not saying that they are, then we definitely need to give this guy they boot. From The Weekly Standard:

Consider Congressman Matheson's record on the health care bill. He voted against the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee back in July and again when it passed the House in November. But now he's "undecided" on ramming the bill through Congress. "The Congressman is looking for development of bipartisan consensus," Matheson's press secretary Alyson Heyrend wrote to THE WEEKLY STANDARD on February 22. "It’s too early to know if that will occur." Asked if one could infer that if no Republican votes in favor of the bill (i.e. if a bipartisan consensus is not reached) then Rep. Matheson would vote no, Heyrend replied: "I would not infer anything. I’d wait to see what develops, starting with the health care summit on Thursday."

The timing of this nomination looks suspicious, especially in light Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak's claim that he was offered a federal job not to run against Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania primary. Many speculated that Sestak, a former admiral, was offered the Secretary of the Navy job.

In his defense, his brother is definitely qualified, and there is no clear cut evidence that this isn't on the up and up. That said, the timing is poor at best.

Utah Gov. Herbert Signs Gun Measure that Defies Federal Laws

I'm liking Gov. Herbert more and more, especially when compared to his RINO predecessor. Herbert just recently signed a bill concerning guns and ammunition manufactured in Utah. The bill would exempt those guns and ammunition manufactured and sold in Utah from federal firearms regulations.

From the Deseret News:

SALT LAKE CITY — The first of more than a dozen bills aimed at asserting Utah's sovereign rights received Gov. Gary Herbert's signature Friday with assurance that he can keep the state out of costly litigation that may follow.

The statute created by SB11 (le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0011.htm), sponsored by Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, exempts guns and ammunition manufactured and sold in Utah from federal firearms regulations and challenges current constitutional interpretation of interstate commerce.

Herbert, who received the bill last Tuesday, said the decision came after careful review of the potential fallout from the controversial legislation.

"There are times when the state needs to push back against continued encroachment from the federal government. Sending the message that we will stand up for a proper balance between the state and federal government is a good thing," he said. "But in these challenging economic times, when Utah families continue to struggle and our Legislature must account for every dollar it spends, we must also be thoughtful about the cost of that message."

Making the bill law likely moves the state into direct conflict with federal law, and a legal review by legislative attorneys warned that Dayton's proposal would likely be found unconstitutional.

Read the rest here.

Thanks Barb!

Supporting Utah State Bill 251

Another bill needs your help!

SB251 - http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0251.htm

The bill will require employers to verify (using e-verify) that a worker is authorized to work in the United States. This is the same as has been used in Arizona and Oklahoma.

Doing so will:
- Help stop illegal immigrants coming to Utah by preventing them from obtaining a job with a legitimate employer and protect those jobs for legal workers (especially in our current economy).
- Curtail identity theft by illegal immigrants and fugitives seeking work. Much of the identity theft for work targets children’s identities (according to the Utah AG’s office).

- Businesses using e-verify reduce significantly their liability should ICE
etc find that illegal workers have managed to circumvent the system. Basically, if you use e-verify, ICE will not file charges against the company.

Ads on School Busses?

In my home state of Utah, a bill was recently shot down that proposed allowing private companies to advertise on the outside of school buses, just like they do city buses, with all proceeds going directly to public education. It was shot down despite public support.

I say that as long as the ads are approved by the school district and won't have a negative impact on the kids, I'm all for it. In other words, if the ads aren't for beer, french fries or Planned Parent hood, but rather for things like sports, clothing, etc., I see nothing to lose, but a lot of money to gain.

Utah's schools are underfunded, and some districts face cuts, including teachers. How can it be bad if it means no increased taxes and it saves jobs? Do it!

What are your thoughts on this?

School bus ads bill likely dead, but Utahns support it

Gov. Herbert is Waffling About Signing Some State's Rights Bills

Gov. Herbert is waffling about signing some of the 10th Amendment (State’s Rights) bills, such as SB11, passed by the legislature. He’s indicated however, he’s willing to sign resolutions. Call his office (801-538-1000) and politely but firmly encourage him to sign the bills and remind him that resolutions are meaningless and won’t protect Constitutional rights addressed in the bills.

Proposed Utah Law - Women who Suffer Miscarriage May Face Possible Criminal Prosecution

A proposed Utah law that would open women who suffer a miscarriage to possible criminal prosecution and life imprisonment has enraged feminists and civil rights activists across the United States.

Adopted overwhelmingly by both sides of the state legislature in Salt Lake City earlier this month, the draft bill is now awaiting the signature of the state's Republican Governor, Gary Herbert. It is not clear if the growing national controversy surrounding the proposed law will slow or even stay his pen.

While the main thrust of the law is to enable prosecutors in the majority-Mormon state to pursue women who seek illegal, unsupervised forms of abortion, it includes a provision that could trigger murder charges against women found guilty of an "intentional, knowing or reckless act" that leads to a miscarriage. Some say this could include drinking one glass of wine too many, walking on an icy pavement or skiing.

Lawmakers were responding to the case of a 17-year-old pregnant Utah woman who paid a man $150 to assault her physically in the hope that the beating would cause her to miscarry. The child was born anyway and put up for adoption. And while the man involved is currently behind bars, prosecutors found they had no basis in state law to prosecute the young woman. She was in her seventh month when she tried to terminate her pregnancy.

Last-minute efforts to remove reference in the bill to "reckless" acts failed, feeding the uproar about a law that some people say would be impossible to implement and threatens basic freedoms of women. Statistics suggest that 15 to 20 per cent of recognised pregnancies end in miscarriage. "This creates a law that makes any pregnant woman who has a miscarriage potentially criminally liable for murder," said Missy Bird, director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Utah, part of the national organisation that champions abortion rights.

Critics also note that the bill has no exemptions for women who suffer domestic abuse or who have addiction problems. They wonder, for example, about the putative case of a woman remaining with an abusive partner and suffering a miscarriage after an episode of violence. Would remaining in that relationship constitute "reckless" behaviour, they ask?