I found this article interesting:
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/67429-challengers-exit-could-clear-way-for-tea-party-vs-bennett
“A well-placed Utah GOP source said the conservative movement could really have an impact in the state, especially if the Tea Party movement, the 9/12ers and the Patrick Henry Caucus can settle on one candidate.”
The article was about the Tea Parties vs US Senator Bob Bennett (Utah), and as of today, only one current candidate for US Senate from Utah has been speaking at them, Cherilyn Eagar.
The point that Senator Bob Bennett is in trouble was obvious to anyone seeing him spend money on TV ads over a year prior to Utah’s caucus meetings and close to two years prior to general elections, if he can even make it that far.
Cherilyn Eagar is the only current GOP candidate to challenge Senator Bennett that had both filed with the FEC and had a booth at the State GOP Convention in June 2009.
Bennett spent money hand-over-fist at that event and still received one of the coolest receptions by state GOP Delegates.
Cherilyn Eagar is also the only US Senate candidate that has spoken at the most of and including last large 9.12 and Tea Party rallies in Utah (with many thousands attending) and is supported by many of the 9.12 and Tea Party leaders in Utah.
(Obviously one, Mr. Kirkham hasn’t decided yet). I am amazed that this article doesn’t even mention Cherilyn Eagar running for US Senate, as she also beat Senator Bennett in a straw poll for Utah County GOP.
The reason why she isn’t mentioned? Perhaps she is his biggest threat.
Cherilyn Eagar is endorsed by the First Lady of the Conservative Movement, Phyllis Schlafly and the Eagle Forum PAC.
She is one of 20 candidates nationally supported by The Good Egg Club, a new fund supporting candidates such as Chuck DeVore (CA) and Pat Toomey (PA).
Cherilyn Eagar is the only candidate, or hopeful candidate, who has had the life-long, trusted conservative record and is the best prepared and knowledgeable of the candidates.
As widely quoted, In March of this year Senator Bob Bennett was rated one of the ten most liberal Republicans in the Senate by Human Events based on the American Conservative Union Ratings for 2008. Bennett paying money to convince delegates he is conservative isn’t working.
The real interesting thing was a recent poll, the local Fox News states more than 30% of insider republicans do not expect Senator Bennett to even make it out of state GOP convention next May.
http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=304d9243-2399-435e-b153-de19507583eb
That almost (9 votes short) happened to former Rep. Chris Cannon last year, and he was still beat in the primary.
Perhaps Cherilyn’s comments on Senator Bennett’s record isn’t enough.
For some light reading, check out these Redstate.com articles:
or this interesting blog
http://truepoliticsusa.blogspot.com/2009/11/15-reasons-to-support-cherilyn-eagar.html
Cherilyn Eagar’s website for more information, donations, events, etc
Eagar
dhorowitz3 Thursday, November 12th at 2:33PM EST (link)I have been interested in the Utah Senate race and Eagar’s candidacy for a while. Utah is one of the most conservative states if not the most. There is no reason why we should have an Olympia snowe type of R in a state like Utah for gods sake! Could you explain how the Utah Republican primary process works? Does the convention vote directly for a candidate? If Bennett gets defeated can he still run in the primary?
In a PRIMARY any bad news for Bennett is good by me
Illinicon Thursday, November 12th at 2:49PM EST (link)Because he is part of the biggest problem with the GOP, moderates from fairly red states. Even if we dont win a seat in the Senate next year are cacus could be greatly improved by just flipping Bennett, Hutchison, Lemouix, Voiniovich with Williams, Rubio, Portman and any one of the conservatives running for Bennett’s seat
Jindal/Thompson ‘12
Bringing clear Conservative change to America.
Excellent point
dhorowitz3 Thursday, November 12th at 2:54PM EST (link)I have been saying for so long that even if we fail to elect conservative R’s in blue states but if we would only elect Jim DeMint’s and Tom coburns in solid red states…well we would have a lot of DeMints and Coburns. Keep in mind that the Senate is tailor made for conservatives because the small states get the same representation. There are therefore many more red states. I look at Oklahoma as a model state with Coburn and Inhofe. In South Carolina we should have two Demin’t but instead we have Grahamnesty.
Best strategy
DavidSage Friday, November 13th at 3:55PM EST (link)I’ve even seen Erick post that there are some states where real conservatives just can’t get elected statewide. I think the focus of weeding out the moderates should mainly take place in the true Red states.
I can understand an Olympia Snowe from Maine, but I can’t tolerate a Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, or a Bennet from Utah.
There’s a good 25 “deep” Red States where we can have DeMint/Coburn type conservatives that can get elected that can dominate the Republican caucus in the Senate. With states like Delaware and Connecticut, however, you’re really wasting your time trying to get rid of moderate Republicans. It’s either moderate Republicans or REALLY liberal Democrats. I think we can get more policy enacted with moderate Republicans that will be with us on some key rather than left-wing Democrats.
Utah
arc_ut Thursday, November 12th at 2:58PM EST (link)In Utah, we have caucus meetings in March of 2010. Many are at individual homes with anywhere from 5 to dozens showing up. The groups elect delegates, County and State, along with other local officers.
Last year there were about 3500 state delegates elected to the State GOP Convention.
In even years, over 95% show up to the convention, which next year will be in May.
They will have up to 3 ballots. If someone doesn’t get 60% of the votes, all but the top 3 are eliminated.
The 2nd round will drop of the 3rd place candidate. (unless we have someone with 60%)
The 3rd round will just be with 2 candidates. If one gets 60%, they have the GOP nominee and there is no primary.
For Bennett to get out of convention, he needs 40% of the votes.
If no one gets 60% or more of the votes, we have a primary, which is closed to only GOP voters.
For 2008, Jason Chaffetz was 9 votes short of having 60% of the votes on the 3rd ballot, so he faced 6 term incumbent Chris Cannon and beat him.
That changed the idea that you didn’t challenge an incumbent from your own party.
Convention
dhorowitz3 Thursday, November 12th at 3:03PM EST (link)From what you are describing it sounds like a great process that is tailor made for conservative grassroots tea party activists. I would think that 60% of grassroots Republicans in a state like Utah would be against Bennett. For some reason nobody seems to be reporting on this as a big pick up opportunity for conservatives.
grassroots
arc_ut Thursday, November 12th at 3:21PM EST (link)It is a great system, but unfortunately, in past years, the only ones running against the incumbents from their same party haven’t been as good of candidates as last year’s Chaffetz, or this years Eagar.
I believe Jason Chaffetz wining last year was why Mark Shurtleff, Utah’s Attorney General, was going to run against Bob Bennett in the 1st place.
Last year, most of the incumbents backed the incumbent Chris Cannon, who Chaffetz was running against, with the exception of former Governor Huntsman, now Ambassador to China.
This year, we have our current Governor, Rep. Chaffetz, and Utah and RNC are staying out of this race.
I am disappointed that some conservative groups are waiting, as the best time to beat Bennett will be at convention, so Eagar needs the help between now and March, and then until Convention.
It is likely that the GOP will win the general election for this race, but with a moderate democrat running, there are those that would vote for him over Bennett.
Eagar is the best conservative running.
typo
arc_ut Thursday, November 12th at 3:23PM EST (link)Utah and RNC should be
Utah GOP and RNC
I just added a link re Utah's Tea Partiers/912-ers efforts to my little blog
ColdWarrior Thursday, November 12th at 10:41PM EST (link)The Utah Tea Partiers and 912-ers have discovered the road to political salvation: actual participation in Party politics.
I added to my little Precinct Project blog a link to a blog by “Right Jeff” who essentially advertises, and has a link to, Brian Halladay’s MeetUp site for promoting their efforts to steer their Partiers/912-ers into the Republican Party as delegates. Precinct committeemen are called “delegates in Utah, apparently. These new conservative delegates will flood the Utah Republican Party so they can help nominate REAL conservative candidates for the Republican Party primaries.
Here you go: http://rightjeff.blogspot.com/2009/10/utah-912-and-utah-tea-party-rally.html
This is exciting stuff! It should be duplicated in every state, no?
Will you help do it in yours?
Thank you.
ColdWarrior
American first, conservative second and Republican precinct committeeman by necessity.
http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com, so you can say, “I became a precinct committeeman before it was cool.”
“Elections have consequences, my friends.” — John McCain
2010 is going to be HOT for D's and RINO's...
JadedByPolitics Thursday, November 12th at 6:30PM EST (link)I like the saying “PETA is going to be upset in 2010 because there are going to be a lot of dead Bluedogs & RINO’s”….heh!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
I would agree with arc_ut that...
Sera63 Thursday, November 12th at 11:40PM EST (link)without Chaffetz making a run for the Senate seat, Cherilyn Eagar would appear to be the best conservative running against Bennett.
Chaffetz is great !
arc_ut Friday, November 13th at 12:08AM EST (link)I am a big fan of Chaffetz. He is doing great in the US House. We need more people like him. He can’t do everything in both houses.
Chaffetz in House
Eagar in Senate
Now, we need to figure out who to replace Rep. Matheson with.
C. Anderson is one going to challenge him. I don’t know if he is the one yet.
Chaffetz is great, part 2.
arc_ut Friday, November 13th at 12:10AM EST (link)Chaffetz isn’t endorsing anyone is this race - yet.
I expect he will wait until we have a gop nominee.
And, hopefully, that...
Sera63 Monday, November 16th at 1:56PM EST (link)nominee will be a true conservative…like…Eagar!