See other (s)Elections Articles
Title: US Sen. Bob Bennett ousted at Utah GOP convention
Source:
Comcast
URL Source: http://www.comcast.net/articles/new ... itics/20100506/US.Utah.Senate/
Published: May 9, 2010
Author: BROCK VERGAKIS, AP
Post Date: 2010-05-09 02:06:40 by farmfriend
Keywords: None
Views: 1613
Comments: 80
By BROCK VERGAKIS, AP SALT LAKE CITY — Republican Sen. Bob Bennett was thrown out of office Saturday by delegates at the Utah GOP convention in a stunning defeat for a once-popular three-term incumbent who fell victim to a growing conservative movement nationwide. Bennett's failure to make it into Utah's GOP primary — let alone win his party's nomination — makes him the first congressional incumbent to be ousted this year and demonstrates the challenges candidates face from the right in 2010. "The political atmosphere obviously has been toxic, and it's very clear that some of the votes that I have cast have added to the toxic environment," Bennett told reporters, choking back tears. "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." Bennett didn't answer questions after his loss but earlier Saturday told The Associated Press he wouldn't rule out a write-in candidacy. State law prohibits him from running as an independent. "I do think I still have a lot of juice left in me," Bennett said following his loss. "We'll see what the future may bring." Bennett survived a first round of voting Saturday among roughly 3,500 delegates but was eliminated when he finished a distant third in the second round. He garnered just under 27 percent of the vote, while businessman Tim Bridgewater had 37 percent, and attorney Mike Lee got 36 percent. Lee and Bridgewater will face each other in a June 22 primary after a third round of voting in which neither got the 60 percent necessary to win outright. "Don't take a chance on a newcomer," Bennett had pleaded in his brief speech to the delegates before the second round of voting began. "There's too much at stake." Yet that urging, and Bennett's endorsements by the National Rifle Association and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, did little to stave off anger toward the Washington establishment from delegates. "The bailout bothers me. That in and of itself is unforgivable in my opinion," said delegate Scott White, a 58-year-old general contractor from Taylorsville. Bennett, 76, initially faced seven Republican opponents who said he wasn't conservative enough for ultraconservative Utah. Lee, 38, and Bridgewater, 49, campaigned largely by saying they're better suited to rein in government spending than Bennett. "I will fight every day as your U.S. senator for limited government, to end the cradle-to-grave entitlement mentality, for a balanced budget, to protect our flag, our borders and our national security and for bills that can be read before they receive a final vote in congress," Lee said in his convention speech. Lee, who served as former Gov. Jon Huntsman's general counsel and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, focused his campaign on saying the federal government has exceeded its constitutional authority. He has never run for public office before and is best known outside political circles as an attorney fighting to allow EnergySolutions Inc. to import and dispose of foreign nuclear waste in Utah's west desert. Much of Bridgewater's momentum coming into the convention came from delegates who said they wanted a senator with business experience, not an attorney, but felt it was time for Bennett to step down. Bridgewater grew up in a trailer park but eventually founded several small companies and became chairman and founder of Interlink Capital Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in emerging markets. Like Lee, he served in Huntsman's administration, although on a voluntary basis as education adviser. Opposition to Bennett couldn't be chalked up solely to anti-incumbency fervor. Neither of Utah's two Republican congressmen were at risk of losing their seats, and Republican Gov. Gary Herbert easily won his party's nomination. Last week, voters in primaries in North Carolina and Ohio retained their incumbents, while those in Indiana turned to a former senator — Republican Dan Coats. Bennett was under fire for voting to bail out Wall Street, co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill mandating health insurance coverage and for aggressively pursuing earmarks. He tried to reassure delegates Saturday, before any voting, that he is a fiscal conservative. "I have authored bills to rein in the entitlement spending that now makes up two-thirds of the federal budget," Bennett said. "I've already voted for a balanced budget amendment three times, and I will again while making certain that it won't be turned into a tax increase for Democrats. Our tax burden is already too high." Some delegates, who tend to be more conservative than other Utah Republicans, were also upset he's still in office after promising to serve only two terms when first elected in 1992. "I think he's lost touch," said delegate Gary Crofts. "I'm excited to get a new person in there and fire things up a little." Romney introduced Bennett on Saturday — to a mix of cheers and boos. "Today, he faces an uphill battle at this convention," Romney acknowledged in his speech. "Some may disagree with a handful of his votes or simply want a new face. But with the sweep and arrogance of the liberal onslaught today in Washington, we need Bob Bennett's skill and intellect and loyalty." In his 2004 campaign, Bennett ran no television commercials and won a third term in the general election with 69 percent of the vote. The 2010 campaign was clearly different. He acknowledged he should have spent more time in Utah the past couple of years letting GOP activists get to know him, but didn't imagine Republicans would be angry enough with Washington to target one of their own. Recently, he has said part of his problem with delegates has been that he doesn't go on conservative cable talk shows and offer angry sound bites. Instead, he said he likes to work on finding practical solutions. Utah's unique nominating process also played a critical role in his defeat. The 3,500 delegates wield enormous power and can decide the fate of entire elections in a state of nearly 3 million. The winner of the Republican race is all but guaranteed victory in November over Democratic nominee Sam Granato because Utah is so overwhelmingly GOP. The system forced Bennett to mount an all-out push for delegates in recent weeks as he went from one small-town political gathering to another to court convention votes. He has a huge campaign bank account but no need to spend much of it because the convention process is geared toward face-to-face encounters with delegates. Bennett's defeat is the latest in a series of surprising political developments in a year in which the tea party movement has amassed growing power. In January, then-little-known Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts Senate seat long held by the late Edward Kennedy. Several incumbents from both parties have opted not to seek re-election as they face difficult challenges, and GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist recently opted to run as an independent in his Senate bid rather than face defeat at the hands of his own party. Other GOP candidates likely were eyeing Saturday's results to see if it's an indicator of things to come. In Arizona, Sen. John McCain is in a tough primary fight against former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a conservative talk-radio host. In Kentucky, Rand Paul, the son of libertarian Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, is gaining momentum in his challenge against the GOP establishment's pick of Secretary of State Trey Grayson to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning. In New Hampshire, former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is battling three Republican challengers to fill the seat being vacated by Republican Judd Gregg.
Poster Comment:US Sen. Bob Bennett ousted at Utah GOP convention
"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."
Your career? That's part of the problem, members seeing this as a career.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-39) not displayed.
.
.
.
#40. To: Jethro Tull (#38)
No I was just noting that I considered you a friend and ally.
Yet more Christian values shinning thru. Hypocrite.
Does my tagline bother you christine? You never said it did before. Do you really think it takes traffic from this site? I honestly don't.
Let's just be honest......you put it here to drum up traffic. We have your posts on THIS site to see your views. Frankly, if your site was so great you would spend more time there and less time here. And, let's be honest, it is REALLY RUDE to come to Christine's site and advertise for your site. Stevie Wonder could see that. It's tacky, especially while you are bemoaning this bunch here at 4um and their free speech.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
i guess you missed that JT posted he was the recipient of both ends of that scenario meaning as a kid. that is the way things were in the 50, 60s, 70s and 80s. cops were a whole lot more involved with their communities in good ways then. teachers and school administrators were also.
How am I a hypocrite when I am just playing off the words you wrote about me?
I must have missed that and I don't disagree with it. That is why I asked him about it way back at the beginning. I think some parents are afraid to correct their kids these days by spanking them. I believe in spanking your kids to control them at times.
Nobody does.......but everybody thinks that it is RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL, and TACKY to advertise for your site on Christine's site. Quit playing stupid about this one AKA. Christine shouldn't have to state the OBVIOUS with a clue by four upside your head.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
I disagree. Now how did this site start. Oh people from other sites talked about it. Jethro once asked me if I was interested in putting a link at my site to here and vice versa. So I don't think you know what you are talking about.
By the way...nice line on clue by 4.
You claim to be a Christian, but your treatment of people & language is disgusting. Hence the fraud tag.
what bothers is me is your making posters here who are not members at Flame the subject of threads there and your criticism of "this bunch" here. so, considering that, it is in poor taste to advertise your forum here.
Ok I will take it down. But your characterization is incorrect.
Oh nevermind someone else already did. Tull answer this honestly. Are you the one who fucked with it originally. I'm 99 percent certain you are.
You're all mine Stone. Should the day come when you're a captive of your own cesspool, it will be me who did it, nobody else. OK, pal?
What bothers me is liars like Jethro. Who says take down this article about christine and I will do X. I don't think that I will do the same again since Tull is a proven liar.
Adios duffel head
Quit sending me PM's complaining that you are not a stormfronter and to please remove that comment.
I'm talking about RESPECT and COURTESY for the owner of THIS site. I KNOW what I'm talking about and you can skirt the issue, justify your actions, make excuses, and play dumb all you want, but it doens't change the fact that advertising for your site on Christine's site is RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL and TACKY. Not to mention selfish, self serving, and self absorbed, but you go on and do what you "think" is best as it serves ONLY your agenda and craps on the true intent of the tagline on THIS site.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
I see you're making more friends..LOL. Hey, why don't start a "Free Pollard" rally? I've got a slogan for you too: "Johnny Was Framed, Visit Libertysflame!"
WWGPD? - (What Would General Pinochet Do?)
How about you get a life.
My tagline was removed by Jethro Tull. He didn't like me talking about him beating up kids as a cop.
that comment should have been private. we really don't need this time wasting and inane poop stirring.
yes it was removed by me, and now I'm going to remove you. Go play with your O'PILES, abortionists & other assorted nutters. In an odd way the sterling Christian has created his own hell. It kinda reminds me of an old Twilight Zone episode :P
My tagline was removed by Jethro Tull. He didn't like me talking about him beating up kids as a cop.
My tagline was removed by Jethro Tull. He didn't like me talking about him beating up kids as a cop.
Goldi got her website established because it was promoted as a site where "nobody's views will be censored." After she got it established with other people's money she turned it into a site that promotes Israel's interests over America's best interests. Are you going to do the same thing?
Stone, I know u can't answer me now, but I DID remove your tag, and I also
booted your Christian ass off this forum. I believe in 2nd, 3rd and even 4th
chances, so get some "normal" into that cranium and if u want, u can be
reinstated. Dial 911 and ask for Officer Davis, the racist oinker from the
NYPD. I'll get u back up and running.
Nope. native CA living in Sac.
"With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators." Give em hell.
"With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators." Deleted by poster. Individual booted, comment now unnecessary.
LOL! Good one.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. lol
Jethro........lol. Planned Parenthood?
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
Stone will be back when he repents and finds his "normal" again. It's his call. Why he changed his tag to planned parenthood is all part of the temporary insanity the poor boy has tumbled into :P
Of course he will, he can't stand waiting around for 20 minutes to get a reply to his posts on his own site and he dare not whine about his handful of posters or they might not post on his site anymore. He can only pull such shinanigans here at Christine's site with this bunch of posters where he cares not about pissing posters off because, after all, it's not HIS site.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
His place is fast becoming the Nest II; a collection of leftists and toothless nannies who think the high life is a double wide in a rented trailer park.
OMG, where is Stone? Don't tell me...............
WWGPD? - (What Would General Pinochet Do?)
Yes, he's knee deep in scripture, but worse, he's confined to an obscure forum with app 5 members, none of which share his basic conservative politics (yeah, he's a nutter w/Israel but that's his business). When he wakes up he can squeak up.
I can't say I'm sorry to see him go, he was a one trick pony
WWGPD? - (What Would General Pinochet Do?)
Oh my gawd, how utterly pathetic. "Don't take a chance on a guy who has not proven corrupt and under the influence of lobbyists! There's too much at stake!" What a MO-RAN.
MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
That's because he now has his Congressional pension-for-life with the all- inclusive UNLIMITED free medical care. Fuck him and the Mormon horse he rode in on.....
_________________________________________________________________________
#41. To: A K A Stone (#39)
#42. To: christine (#40)
#43. To: A K A Stone (#37)
I just put it here so that if anyone wants to get ahold of me or see my views they can.
#44. To: A K A Stone (#25)
No lawyer, no record and in some cased the kid straightened out and flew right. Having been the recipient of both ends of that scenario, I'm thankful for the way things were.
#45. To: Jethro Tull (#41)
#46. To: christine (#44)
#47. To: A K A Stone (#42)
Do you really think it takes traffic from this site? I honestly don't.
#48. To: abraxas (#47)
#49. To: abraxas (#47)
#50. To: A K A Stone (#45)
#51. To: A K A Stone (#42)
#52. To: christine (#51)
#53. To: All (#52)
#54. To: A K A Stone (#49)
#55. To: christine (#51)
#56. To: A K A Stone (#55)
#57. To: Jethro Tull (#54)
#58. To: A K A Stone (#48)
So I don't think you know what you are talking about.
#59. To: A K A Stone (#52)
#60. To: Flintlock (#59)
#61. To: A K A Stone (#57)
#62. To: A K A Stone (#60)
#63. To: christine (#61)
(Edited)
#64. To: (#62)
#65. To: A K A Stone (#63)
#66. To: A K A Stone (#64)
#67. To: Big Meanie (#32)
Are you from Utah?
James Madison, Letter to James Robertson, April 20, 1831
#68. To: abraxas (#58)
James Madison, Letter to James Robertson, April 20, 1831
#69. To: A K A Stone (#60)
(Edited)
TEXT DOLPHIN To 44144
#70. To: Ragin1 (#2)
Yeah thats it bob. We wanted you to go on fox and bitch about the democrats.
Lord Acton
#71. To: Jethro Tull (#66)
Christian ass
“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.” ~ Rose F. Kennedy
#72. To: Jethro Tull (#66)
#73. To: abraxas (#72)
#74. To: Jethro Tull (#73)
Stone will be back
#75. To: abraxas (#74)
Of course he will, he can't stand waiting around for 20 minutes to get a reply to his posts on his own site and he dare not whine about his handful of posters or they might not post on his site anymore.
#76. To: Jethro Tull (#62)
(Edited)
I'm going to remove you.
#77. To: Flintlock (#76)
#78. To: Jethro Tull (#77)
#79. To: farmfriend (#0)
"Don't take a chance on a newcomer," Bennett had pleaded in his brief speech to the delegates before the second round of voting began. "There's too much at stake."
#80. To: farmfriend (#0)
"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."
Obama is the miscegenated bastard of a white communist whore. True story.
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest