Bob Bennet (incumbent senator, UT) ousted from GOP running - Tea Party flexes muscle

[Double Trouble]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37038395/ns/politics/

The tea party is growing stronger, and I see this as a double edged sword for the republicans.

On the one hand, the anger in the country among 'regular' folks (ie, those not generally very active in politics) is palpable, they are fed up with DC and are angry. Personally, I've never seen anger among the regular people like I'm seeing right now, but that's just anecdotal. This anger should be a good thing for the republicans since the democrats run the show in DC in every way right now. With more controversial things like immigration amnesty and cap & trade etc in the pipeline, the democrats are sure to anger the population further.

On the flip side, it looks like the growing tea party movement could cause long term damage to the republicans by forcing out centrists and main stream people and replacing them with ultra-right "pure" candidates.

These are interesting times in politics... It will be interesting to see if the republicans can harness the anger of the people with DC, or whether the tea party movement will split up the republican party and hand victory to the democrats.

 

[Siddhartha]

After the 2008 election, I asked where the GOP was going to go. Would they go big tent or small tent. It looks like they are going small tent.

 

[brencat]

It's about time. The Repub party still has too many RINOs that were perfectly happy to spend like Democrats while in office and cared only about the pork they brought back to their districts. That really disappointed me. Actually it pissed me off greatly.

Nice to see people fed up with Washington and it's big spending ways. We need good solid conservatives in there who will work for smaller govt and to begin to reverse this cradle to grave entitlement mentality the Left and unfortunately a growing portion of our society seems to have. You're entitled to NOTHING in this world except the OPPORTUNITY to succeed. Run as fast as you can in your own lane.

The Dems are going to get destroyed in this Fall's elections. The only question now is what kind of Republican are we going to elect. My hope is that it is anti-establishment.

Finally, those of you who've seen me post before know I don't give a rat's ass about the social platform of the Repub party. Frankly, I wish they'd completely deemphasize the abortion issue and focus solely on economics -- taxes and smaller govt, and stay the fuck out of peoples bedrooms.

 

[CaptnKirk]

After the 2008, I asked where the GOP was going to go. Would they go big tent or small tent. It looks like they are going small tent.

Maybe they are going 'Evangelical Tent Revival'.

They just threw out a Conservative Senator with 18 years of senority and a Committee position who will,
if their replacement
candidate wins will bring no experience to the table, and does not get to take over that position Bennett held.
That's a Lose-Lose proposition:

During the 106th Congress, Bennett was tapped by then Majority Leader, Bill Frist, to serve as the Chief Deputy Republican Party "Whip". Now, as counsel to Mitch McConnell, Senator Bennett remains on the Republican Leadership Team and advises the Minority Leader on "legislative strategy and policy priorities".

On June 27, 2006, Bennett was one of only three Republicans to vote against the controversial and defeated Flag Desecration Amendment. One of this amendment's chief sponsors was Bennett's fellow Utah Republican Senator, Orrin Hatch.

Bennett was challenged by seven other Republicans and two Democrats in his bid for re-election in 2010, including Mike Lee, Cherilyn Eagar, Tim Bridgewater, and Democrats Sam Granato and Christopher Stout. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff dropped out of the race, citing family concerns.

Bennett was defeated on May 8th 2010 at the Utah Republican Convention after finishing third in the second round of balloting, to Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater.


They have decided to chlorinate their gene pool, no matter who it destroys.

 

[boomerang]

Maybe they are going 'Evangelical Tent Revival'.

They just threw out a Conservative Senator with 18 years of senority and a Committee position who will,
if their replacement
candidate wins will bring no experience to the table, and does not get to take over that position Bennett held.
That's a Lose-Lose proposition:

During the 106th Congress, Bennett was tapped by then Majority Leader, Bill Frist, to serve as the Chief Deputy Republican Party "Whip". Now, as counsel to Mitch McConnell, Senator Bennett remains on the Republican Leadership Team and advises the Minority Leader on "legislative strategy and policy priorities".

On June 27, 2006, Bennett was one of only three Republicans to vote against the controversial and defeated Flag Desecration Amendment. One of this amendment's chief sponsors was Bennett's fellow Utah Republican Senator, Orrin Hatch.

Bennett was challenged by seven other Republicans and two Democrats in his bid for re-election in 2010, including Mike Lee, Cherilyn Eagar, Tim Bridgewater, and Democrats Sam Granato and Christopher Stout. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff dropped out of the race, citing family concerns.

Bennett was defeated on May 8th 2010 at the Utah Republican Convention after finishing third in the second round of balloting, to Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater.


They have decided to chlorinate their gene pool, no matter who it destroys.

If there's anything in there explaining your "evangelical" twist, I guess I missed it.

He's 76 years old. He'd be 82 at the end of another term. Time for some new blood. Reducing the corruptive influences in DC is a plus even if it means replacing them with "inexperienced" individuals.

Of course the old saying applies. One bad apple spoils the bunch. I'm not pinning any high hopes on new inexperienced members of Congress.

 

[irishScott]

I'm a centrist. I really don't care which party is in charge so long as there's enough counter-balance to prevent one party from blatantly overriding all moderates, including it's own. See heath care reform.

 

[CaptnKirk]

If there's anything in there explaining your "evangelical" twist, I guess I missed it.

'Big Tent' Did you miss that? Ever hear of a Tent Revival? Thats where people gather to 'Talk in Tounges' and handle snakes.

Like the Tea-Baggers are doing.

Get It?

 

[Lemon law]

Its not going to have a huge effect in Utah, but if the Tea baggers and the purge elements in the GOP pull similar stunts in other more battleground states, its going to probably hurt the GOP's chances to win the general election in November.

Worse yet, as the GOP lurches ever rightward and embraces the filibuster style of governance, it leaves the GOP without the living memory experiences of people who knew how to work in a bi-partisan manner.

 

[irishScott]

Its not going to have a huge effect in Utah, but if the Tea baggers and the purge elements in the GOP pull similar stunts in other more battleground states, its going to probably hurt the GOP's chances to win the general election in November.

Worse yet, as the GOP lurches ever rightward and embraces the filibuster style of governance, it leaves the GOP without the living memory experiences of people who knew how to work in a bi-partisan manner.

You mean like the left that's not afraid to override it's own moderates to further its agenda?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Its not going to have a huge effect in Utah, but if the Tea baggers and the purge elements in the GOP pull similar stunts in other more battleground states, its going to probably hurt the GOP's chances to win the general election in November.

Worse yet, as the GOP lurches ever rightward and embraces the filibuster style of governance, it leaves the GOP without the living memory experiences of people who knew how to work in a bi-partisan manner.

I've been looking the movement and it seems that while members are portrayed as monolithic it's not the case. The closest analog I've found on the left is when Howard Dean became a threat against the established Democratic party.

While the support for Palin is far higher than the general public (a bad thing) a substantial number aren't for cutting their taxes, but do feel that they pay enough and that if more money is called for then every effort to make sure it's being spent wisely is not an option.

Well, I can get on board with that, but the tendency of politicians (and the Dems are now in the drivers seat so it falls mostly on them now) to legislate something and then do damage control later. I'll cite the insurance legislation AKA "health care reform" as an example. People can't grasp the ramifications of legislation 1% the length of it with the AZ law, yet insist that the far larger and complicated Magnum Opus of the Dems is OK.

Back to moving towards the Left and Right. That's a reaction that's to be expected when partisan mentalities are encouraged. Draw a line called "center" and then both sides run away from it, while saying the opposition is the one who's doing it. That the Left calls the "tea baggers" reprehensible yet remains mute on violence they have encouraged and committed is tragically comic.

What the right needs is obvious. They need people like Buckley instead of Palin. They have flown from that position, however the Left makes the mistake of thinking their policies are mainstream when they aren't. Certainly people wanted health care reform, but not at any cost. Likewise people want governmental reform, but not wholesale gutting.

A large number want the government to mind it's business without overreaching interference and for programs which are horrifically managed like Medicaid to be reformed before expanded.

Both sides have deserted us, being easily manipulated by the "he's right you know" tactics of party thralls.

The bottom line is that the rest of us have Palin supporters on one hand, and "Taco Bellers" which I'll define as those who support or remain silent regarding violence committed by those who are against immigration laws.

I had some problems with Clinton, but over time I've come to wish that he could come back. At least he knew how to govern by consensus.

 

[boomerang]

'Big Tent' Did you miss that? Ever hear of a Tent Revival? Thats where people gather to 'Talk in Tounges' and handle snakes.

Like the Tea-Baggers are doing.

Get It?

That's so fucking ridiculous it's sig worthy. If I was looking for a sig, I'd grab it. Tea partiers talk in tongues and handle snakes! LOL

 

[heyheybooboo]

I'm having trouble reconciling ""democracy"" with the fact that the Utah state GOP convention (with 3,500 delegates) pushed Bennett to the sideline; and that the 2 remaining 'candidates' will face an actual statewide vote.

The Utah process seems highly anti-democratic to me.





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[Specop 007]

Its not going to have a huge effect in Utah, but if the Tea baggers and the purge elements in the GOP pull similar stunts in other more battleground states, its going to probably hurt the GOP's chances to win the general election in November.

Worse yet, as the GOP lurches ever rightward and embraces the filibuster style of governance, it leaves the GOP without the living memory experiences of people who knew how to work in a bi-partisan manner.

Well fortunately the current party in power is setting a wonderful example of bi-partisanship and government transparency so I for one have no concerns about getting a bunch of new politicians elected in who may not have the memory of "working together".

 

[Slew Foot]

Most teapartiers are ultra right wing only when it comes to economics. Small government, low taxes, that sort of thing. On social issues they tend to be all over the place.

 

[Hacp]

Most teapartiers are ultra right wing only when it comes to economics. Small government, low taxes, that sort of thing. On social issues they tend to be all over the place.

Ultra right wing? How is wanting less corruption and lower spending ultra right wing? Its damn right mainstream if you ask me.

 

[Balt]

Regardless of whom the Republicans bring to Congress in 2010, the problem is they'll still have Mitch McConnell and John Boehner providing "leadership." I don't think either of them has the backbone to get anything accomplished, even if they get the numbers for it.

 

[boomerang]

I'm having trouble reconciling ""democracy"" with the fact that the Utah state GOP convention (with 3,500 delegates) pushed Bennett to the sideline; and that the 2 remaining 'candidates' will face an actual statewide vote.

The Utah process seems highly anti-democratic to me.





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Voted out by the delegates to the convention. How should it have been done?

 

[Jhhnn]

This won't make any difference wrt Utah politics- The Temple basically runs the State, anyway. So Republican victory is pretty much assured, even if their candidate is somewhere way out there over the rightwing horizon.

The effect of Tea Party influence elsewhere may not help Republican electoral chances, at all. They'll need candidates who can connect with middle America, and, uhh, Hacp ain't it, nor are many of the other "conservative" posters here who keep raving about "We're the Majority!" when the last general election showed emphatically that they're not...

 

[heyheybooboo]

Voted out by the delegates to the convention. How should it have been done?

Well, Genius, the overwhelming majority of other states have open/closed primary elections based upon the one man-one vote principle.

In lieu of a statewide primary with 3 candidates seeking the party's nomination, the 3,500 GOP Delegate Yahoos tossed a single candidate.

To make it even more simple for you, 1,401 GOP Delegate Yahoos (or 40% of the convention, my intellectually-challenged derelict) in Utah effectively select a United States Senator to represent nearly 3 million people.

Don't take my word for it --- how about The Salt Lake Tribune?

Is Utah's candidate selection system broken?
Critics say it takes regular voters out of the equation

"It's a political boss system," Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said during a forum Tuesday. "Very few [insiders] can decide without the annoyance of all these people getting in the way."

No other state makes it so difficult for a candidate to make it to a primary, Jowers said.

Any questions? I promise to type slow so you can understand me.





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[jpeyton]

Obama's having a good laugh with his morning coffee today.

 

[OrByte]

I hope the Tea Party continues to flex its muscle.

 

[sandorski]

snipped


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Every US Election I post this: I don't understand why Delegates are Selected in the US the way they are. It just seems odd and doesn't make sense either from a Party viewpoint or from a Democratic System viewpoint. In fact, it looks more like a State sanctioned Political Party system, where the Government controls the Political Process through endorsements of particular Party's. This entrenches the Dems/Reps and makes it exceedingly difficult for Third Parties to have a reasonable chance.

It almost seems to me that there needs to be a separation of Party and State Amendment similar to Church/State. These parties are able to raise $100millions, they can certainly support their own Delegate selection process.

 

[dmcowen674]

Voted out by the delegates to the convention. How should it have been done?

Joe the Plumber is one now too

 

[Double Trouble]

I'm having trouble reconciling ""democracy"" with the fact that the Utah state GOP convention (with 3,500 delegates) pushed Bennett to the sideline; and that the 2 remaining 'candidates' will face an actual statewide vote.

The Utah process seems highly anti-democratic to me.

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You apparently don't understand the party system. I for one think it sucks, but certainly each party is entitled to decide who it should run for the position. The repubs in Utah do it with a small caucus system, and that's their right. The people get to vote in the general election for whoever they want.

 

[nonlnear]

Every US Election I post this: I don't understand why Delegates are Selected in the US the way they are. It just seems odd and doesn't make sense either from a Party viewpoint or from a Democratic System viewpoint. In fact, it looks more like a State sanctioned Political Party system, where the Government controls the Political Process through endorsements of particular Party's. This entrenches the Dems/Reps and makes it exceedingly difficult for Third Parties to have a reasonable chance.

It almost seems to me that there needs to be a separation of Party and State Amendment similar to Church/State. These parties are able to raise $100millions, they can certainly support their own Delegate selection process.

What you are saying is obvious and true. The various phases of the electoral process in the US are totally dysfunctional and both parties want to keep them that way. The nominations, district design (not to mention the existence of districts themselves), the electoral college, the seniority system for committee positions, the elction debates controlled by big business lobbyists, the campaign finance laws, etc. all serve to entrench and institutionalize the Republicrats as the sole purveyors of political power. Granted many of these details of the political landscape were originally put in place for reasons that made sense at the time (especially the very old ones - given the technology of the time). However there is very little excuse for any of it to stay around today except for the simple fact that the two parties that hold all the power have a powerful incentive to keep everybody else locked out of the game.