Friday Forum: Leg Wrestling? « Mormon Democrats

Friday Forum: Leg Wrestling?

Posted by demlawyer on January 9, 2009

If any of you are as hooked on the Colbert Report as I am, you’ve already seen the spot from a couple days ago with Jason Chaffetz from Utah’s 3rd District. If you missed it, you can find it here.

My question is: What is Chaffetz’ deal? He comes in and beats Chris Cannon in the primary, arguably because Cannon was arrogant and thought he couldn’t be beat, and offends half of the Utah GOP base in the process. He was a staffer for Dukakis for crying out loud. If you talk to Utah GOP insiders, they will tell you he has offended too many people, is a carpet-bag Republican, and is out in one term. So, what’s he after? He ignores some pretty sound advice from political advisers in both parties to NEVER go on Colbert as a Freshman Congressman. Given Jason’s awkward appearance and dumbfounded responses to a few tough questions, he should have heeded that advice. Then add in the whole drama about him living out of a closet on a cot, and what do we have? Is it a political rookie looking to jump to the head of the class quickly before the locals can shoot him down in favor of more seasoned and proven conservatives? Or is he simply trying to prove his bona fides to the party? Either way, he’s starting to look like an idiot seeking attention.

There are better ways to get attention.

This entry was posted on January 9, 2009 at 10:23 pm and is filed under Election Coverage, Politics of the West. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Friday Forum: Leg Wrestling?”

Lisa said

January 11, 2009 at 12:10 am
Did you see the follow up episode where Chaffetz went on the morning show and challenged Colbert to a rematch? Colbert quickly showed there were two rematches.

Pretty sad. In more ways than one.

Though I have seen people do worse lately on these shows. The new dude hosting 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue *really* needs some spit and polish. I’ve never liked him anyways as an Olbermann or Matthews in the making.

Eh well.

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arc said

January 11, 2009 at 6:05 am
Jason Chaffetz is doing fine. I voted for him and I am glad I did.

IF there is a challenge to him from the GOP side, it will be shot down. He has too good of a volunteer organization. 1000 plus people that worked hard for free are not going to let him be a 1st term US Rep, unless he wants something else.

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demlawyer said

January 12, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Arc,

I appreciate your loyalty and enthusiasm. I’m sure Jason is a great guy. I don’t have anything against him really. As for “[he] is doing fine,” we’ll see. He hasn’t done anything yet. I hope he does.

As for him being a one-term rep, he’s going to need more than 1,000 plus volunteers. I really wish that were how primaries were won in this state, but (sadly) its’ not. Particularly in the UT GOP. If he wants to stay there he’ll need to cozy up to the Eagle Forum and the like. As unsavory as that sounds, it’s reality. Unfortunately, those 1,000 plus volunteers don’t show up to the caucuses, don’t hold any meaningful positions in the local party, and won’t be able to stem the power of Gail Ruzicka and friends. If only all those conservative Republicans in Utah County actually understood who controls their party. It might be an interesting (albeit frightening) wake-up call.

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