Political Reality

I just got finished writing a lengthy post about my frustrations regarding the Utah Republican Convention last weekend. I'm not going to publish it though, because as Utah Dad reminds me, it's over for Senator Bennett and we move on the best we can from here.

So, here's all I will say on the subject. (Because we all need a soapbox sometimes and this is mine.)

First, Utah lost. We just lost out on representation by a truly great man. Senator Bob Bennett is a true conservative and he stands up for what he believes (which is frankly, not very different from what I believe). He is not a selfish, power-hungry man. He seeks only to serve. If you've ever met him, you would know this.

Second, we all need to be involved politically. Most polls taken before the convention show that the majority of Utahns supported Bennett and yet the majority of delegates did not. The people and the delegates were also divided in their opinions about even what issues were most important. Clearly this is reflective of the "hijacking" of the Republican party by the far right reactionary extremists that took place at the caucus meetings this year.

We cannot let the far right or the far left activists (they're called that because they're actually active) continue to decide the political atmosphere. One look at the Utah Republican and Democratic Conventions held last week and it would seem that we are a vastly polarized people. The Republicans ousted a very conservative incumbent because he wasn't "right" enough and the Democrats came close to ousting their man (Matheson will face a challenger in a primary) because he wasn't "left" enough. However, I don't believe that the majority of Utahns or Americans are really that divided. I believe that most of us fall somewhere in the middle of the two wide extremes where "compromise" is not an evil idea (by the way, I'm not suggesting that we compromise on key moral values). We must all become active. I don't mean "sign-waving, protesting, overdosing on talk-radio, obnoxious active". I'm talking about "paying attention to the issues, listening to the candidates, attending your caucus meetings, voting active". The delegates we send to the conventions can't and won't represent your values, ideas and opinions unless you attend the caucus meetings and vote for them.

Bennett for Senate - Again

I didn't write about our caucus meeting earlier because I was pretty worked up. In fact, between the caucus meeting, studying up on Ronald Reagan and reading "No Apologies" by Mitt Romney I was on political overload and I was having trouble sleeping. I temporarily put down Romney's book and I tried to forget about the caucus meeting. Unfortunately, I've been unsuccessful.

Last night, Molly woke me up during the night. After I got her back to sleep, I lay awake in bed thinking about what Utah Dad and I might have done differently to help Senator Bennett at our caucus meeting. Our precinct caucus meeting went a lot like all the other caucus meetings in Utah. Utah Dad was a state delegate two years ago and wanted to go to the state convention again in support of Bob Bennett. He made it very clear. He had a lot of support with him at the meeting. The other man running for delegate switched his party affiliation to Republican that evening so that he could run as a delegate. He wasn't supporting any specific candidate (at least that is what he said) he just did not want to reelect Bob Bennett. There were many others in attendance who were adamant that Bob Bennett not be reelected to the senate. After three tie votes, the other man was elected as our state delegate.

At caucuses across the state of Utah the people's vote was clear--they do not want Bob Bennett to return to Washington DC as Utah's senator. I understand that people are angry about what is happening in Washington right now. I am too. They want to send all the incumbents packing and replace them with new people who will vote exactly the way they want them to. People want "change". I think we got "change" in 2008. So much for "change" being the answer.
What exactly did Bob Bennett vote for that has people in Utah so angry? He voted for President George W. Bush's TARP. What do you know about TARP? Do you have all the data and economic facts before you? Do you have a mortgage? Do you rely on the banks remaining solvent? Bennett voted against a bill to end earmarks. Do you know what an earmark is? Do you? Or are you just listening to the propaganda from out-of-state interest groups like Club for Growth?

I've added videos of Bennett because he can say it better than I can. Here's Bennett's response to the attacks from Club for Growth:



Here Bennett defends his vote on TARP:



And here is Bennett's opinion on earmarks:



If you are really concerned about spending in Washington and the national debt you  must realize that it is entitlements, like Social Security, that are the big problem. Bennett does have a plan.



At the state convention in May, our elected delegates from precincts all over Utah will meet and vote for the Republican nominee for senate. There are many people running for this office. They are not bad people. But they are inexperienced and whoever is elected will become the "junior" senator in Washington. If he/she gets to sit on senate committees--he/she will be the least important member. He/she does not already have established relationships with other leaders in Washington. He/she will be green. He/she will no doubt head to Washington full of fire and conviction ready to bang his or her head against the Democratic wall there. I'm afraid he/she will only succeed in getting a headache.

Senator Bennett has been in Washington. He knows people. He has examined the Democratic wall and has found the weak bricks. He is chipping away at the bricks. He knows the weak links. Eventually, the wall will collapse in on itself.

Every delegate at the convention owes it to the voters in his caucus to examine the candidates and vote for the man or woman who can best represent the Republican Principles we hold dear here in Utah.

At the state convention, the delegates will vote for their candidates. If none of the candidates get more than 60% of the delegate vote, we will have a primary election this June and we will get another chance to choose our Republican Senatorial Nominee. Hopefully, I will get a chance to choose Bob Bennett for Senate. Again.

I am not being paid by Senator Bennett. I'm not on his campaign staff. I am a Utahan and I do know Senator Bennett. I know that he is brilliant, honest, humble and righteous. He hails from true Utah Pioneer stock. I know that he loves Utah.

Romney and Bennett - Out and About in Utah

Last Saturday evening, Utah Dad and I were privileged to attend Mitt Romney's No Apology: the Case for American Greatness book tour speech in Salt Lake City as guests of Senator Bob Bennett. We got dressed up, left the kids with Utah Dad's parents and headed downtown. Since our regular date nights generally include putting the kids to bed, cooking up some steaks and watching a movie together, this was sort of a big deal for us. What could be better than listening to Mitt Romney? He's brilliant. He knows the global economy and foreign and domestic policy in details that I can't begin to fathom. Yet, he spoke clearly and wisely on foreign policy, health care, the budget and a host of other pertinent topics so that the audience could understand and also have a deeper grasp of the importance of these for our nation. Romney is experienced in the real world. He saved businesses and the 2002 Olympics and then he got into politics. Romney is a true patriot. He loves the United States of America. He recognizes and makes "no apologies" for her greatness and recognizes her potential for more greatness. I'm anxious to read his book. I started it this morning and I'm impressed so far.

A few quick observations that I made during the evening:

1. Republicans look a like. Generally. People watching at a republican event is not nearly as interesting or amusing as an afternoon of people watching at the state fair, the mall, or a Democratic convention.

2. There were a lot of younger "kids" and the usual crowd of "mature" people but I didn't notice many 30-somethings in the crowd. One commenter during Bennett's reception said that the "Generation X stood for nothing". I think in Utah, we're generally busy with our families and feel that we don't have time for politics. It isn't that we don't care. But we need to make time. We need to get involved before the 20-somethings steer us into more disasters. Your neighborhood Republican caucuses are coming up on Tuesday, March 23rd. If you live in Utah County you can find out where you should meet and when by clicking here. If you live in other counties in Utah, find out by checking your county's Republican website. Be sure to attend and let your voice be heard.

3. Clearly, Mitt Romney would make an amazing president of the United States. If he decides to run in 2012, he has my vote.

4. Utah needs Senator Bob Bennett in the Senate. Antsy, angry people who listen to out-of-state propaganda will be hurting themselves and the rest of us if they elect any of the other inexperienced candidates instead of Bennett. Senator Bennett has the clout and the record to prove that he is not only the conservative choice but also the best choice to lead the fight against Obama and the socialist movement. Bennett is fighting to save ATK Thiokol and Utah jobs. He's fighting to keep Obama from grabbing more energy-rich Utah land as National Monuments. Like Romney, Bennett is experienced. He was a successful businessman in the private sector before serving in politics. Besides all that, Utah Dad and I have known him personally since we were first married. Senator Bennett is a good, humble man who loves the United States of America and Utah.

After Romney's initial speech we joined Bennett and Romney for dessert and another speech in behalf of Bennett's campaign.

I borrowed my father-in-law's camera so that I wouldn't have to lug my huge camera for the evening. Unfortunately the quality isn't good and we were so close that I didn't feel right about using the flash in the picture below. It's blurry, but you get the picture--Mitt Romney supports Bob Bennett.

 It was snowing. That's not dandruff on my coat. I promise.

Voting

I've long been an advocate of making sure you go out and do your civic duty to vote. The political process is intriguing and my husband and I have enjoyed participating (in a limited, not-too active, definitely not carrying signs way). We lived in New Hampshire for the first primary in 2000 (we voted for Bush even though NH picked McCain). My husband was a state delegate this year. We watch the debates. We talk about it--constantly with anyone who will listen or pretend to listen. We stay up all night watching the results on election night. And we definitely vote.

This election year started out great. Our favorite candidate in the Republican Primary was coming on strong and he looked good. We were excited and knew that he would be great for America (Romney, if you didn't already know). And then the news media (FoxNews) chose to promote McCain and the Huckabee mess in the South forced our candidate out of the race and left us with the unpleasant choice of McCain who hardly represents my values and political ideals. I was sad and angry with my party.

Over the past few months, I had nearly talked myself into supporting McCain, not because I agreed with him on much of anything but at least I trusted him a little more than the other guy. When McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate I was temporarily excited. She, at least, has a little more of the character and ideas that I have been looking for in a candidate. But she's running for vice president--who has never had much influence on anything.

We watched some of the debate last night. I got sick--physically ill. I had to turn it off. Both candidates had ridiculous and/or scary plans. In the face of serious economic crisis (brought on by the GREED of everyone from average Joe who bought a home he couldn't afford with a shady mortgage loan pushed on him by shady real estate agents and dishonest mortgage brokers from banks willing to take big risks to try to make a buck because they were run by CEOs who had huge golden parachutes because Congress was more interested in campaign contributions from banks than decent oversights...) I am wishing that America had been willing to look past a man's religion that they didn't understand and vote for a man who had the knowledge, wisdom and integrity to handle the economic situation.

I'm not sure if I can vote for either of the presidential candidates. I'm not sure if I could look myself in the mirror in the morning. A write-in! It might be the only thing my conscience can handle.

Sarah Palin

Finally, there's someone to get excited about. John McCain announced this morning that his running mate for the 2008 election would be Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska. She's 44 years old and the mother of five children.

She gave birth to the youngest last April. He has downs syndrome. Talking about her son, she said to a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, "When we first heard, it was kind of confusing . . . very, very challenging." But she added in a note, imagining what God would say to her family, "Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on Earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome."

Voting for McCain this November just got A LOT less unpleasant. I might even smile in the voting booth.

Politics

We talk politics a lot at our house. Anyone who knows my husband can testify that this is true. We loved living in New Hampshire and participating in the 2000 Primary. But this year, Mitt Romney's campaign for the Republican nomination has really intensified the political conversation in our home.

My six year old son has been listening to the almost constant commentary and over the past few months he has asked several questions about the process and Mitt Romney. I took him with me to vote last Tuesday in the Utah Primary. He was bored standing in a really long line but I wanted him to see the real process and not just the parties and conventions that he has been seeing in the news.

Yesterday, we heard the news that Mitt Romney (our favorite candidate) had suspended his campaign. When I told my six year old, he got a sad look on his face and asked, "Why did he give up?" I'm sure there are dozens of reasons-- some of which will make sense to the grown-ups--but how do you answer that question for a kid?

So, a few questions for discussion: Assuming that you were as excited as we were, were we excited about Romney because his political views most closely aligned with our own, or because of our shared religion? In your opinion, what are the main reasons that Romney did not do as well as hoped in the primaries? Is there another candidate that you can get excited about or at least be willing to vote for? Should Romney consider running again in four years?