Posted on 05/09/2010 6:02:57 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
The Bennett lesson: All incumbents beware By: David Catanese May 9, 2010 07:28 AM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY — It's on. The first incumbent of the 2010 election year crashed and burned Saturday, and there's ample cause for alarm for officeholders everywhere.
There was no personal scandal, no whiff of corruption, no silver bullet here.
Republican Sen. Robert Bennett was one of the most powerful and likable members of the Senate, he diligently protected Utah’s interests from his post in GOP leadership and he funneled millions of dollars back to his state as an appropriator.
But Utah Republicans didn't care. In fact, that's exactly why they tossed him out in a humbling second ballot vote at the state party convention.
The circumstances surrounding his downfall were unique to Utah with its state convention process, yet there was an unmistakable message to incumbents on both sides of the aisle: This is no ordinary year, and the ordinary, time-honored methods of winning votes may not be enough.
For Republicans who are measuring the drapes in anticipation of reclaiming power, Bennett’s loss should be sobering. If the anti-Washington and tea party winds keep blowing this strong, some of them could be measuring their own political graves.
To one degree or another, all the national polls reflect the deep-seated unrest. The congressional job disapproval rating registered 72 percent when Gallup measured it last month. In a late April Washington Post/ABC News poll, 57 percent said they were “inclined to look around for someone else to vote for,” compared to just 32 percent who said they were inclined to re-elect their representative. Those results are slightly worse than on the eve of the 1994 election, when the same poll found 56 percent would look around and 37 percent would vote to re-elect.
(Excerpt) Read more at dyn.politico.com ...
Tea Party Victory...We no longer want ‘Compassionate Conservatives’ what a joke they are. They only grow big governments at a slightly slower speed than the Socialist Democrats. I want a real choice. Even if they lose. The Socialists will eventually be exposed. Give me a real choice between Communism and Capitalism.
I hhope they get the Message we Dont send you to Washington to get along with Socialists and Communists,there is no Bipartisanship with the Devil.
We send you to Washington to Protect and defend the Constitution.DO IT ,then go home and give someone else a Chance it is not a Lifetime Career.
THROW ALL THE BUMS OUT ,Im sick of the all the Crap ,the Lies ,the Half Truths and Corruption ENOUGH!!!!!!
I think this is crazy and stupid. It reminds me of the French Revolution where anyone who ever wore a wig was guillotined, even scholars and great French thinkers.
The Tea Partyers hated Bennett; they hate Rick Santorum; they hate Gov. Perry; they hate Carly Fiorina (God only knows why); now they even hate Sarah Palin.
I have been to four Tea Parties and supported them strongly.
But I will have to re-think my support - they’re becoming as vicious as Democrats. Their actions will only lead to Democrat victories.
Republican incumbants beware, Dems are happy w/their commie reps.
Well said. I think Americans are waking up.
Wonder if Lindsay Getalong or John McNasty will be able to read these Tea Leaves?
I think I read somewhere that Bennett would have been 83 after this term.
Why do these people think they shopuld be allowed to die in office. Mr. Bennett needs to get along and get a life as a retired person. We have too many old time ,life time, politicians in office now. Especially old time RINO’s
I don’t hate Bennett or Santorum. Fiorina and Perry are dorks.
Like I said earlier, it was a fair, direct, and serious “shot over the bow” to Orrin Hatch.
Whom, while often good on issues, has been wobbly on others, like amnesty and the DREAM Act, among other RINO things.
I went to Walmart today. I’m not a Walmart fan, because I hate big stores. But it’s the only place you can get Italian bread. I was in the store for a grand total of 30 minutes. In that time, I interacted with at least 40 amigas. Spoke not one word of English, pushing carts that had a bare minimum of two toddlers in them. And every single one of them was pregnant. I don’t know if they all used EBT cards because I didn’t follow them, yet I have my suspicions.
The people of Utah are mad. I’m in S. Utah, about 5-6 miles from the AZ border and less than 2 hrs from Las Vegas’ toxic economy.
Make no mistake. This move wasn’t intended to get Bob Bennett’s attention: It is intended to get Orrin Hatch’s attention.
Bennett, who is 76, broke a promise he made during his initial campaign to only serve two terms
Well, you’re wrong about this particular contest at least. There’s no way Utahans will elect a Dem to this seat. Whoever gets the nod from the Republican convention will win.
Graham thinks he is safe since he has 5 years to go before reelection yet even he is beginning to understand the deep currents that are shifting.
OK, despite the horrific syntax and grammar abuse......I strongly applaud your post. Agree completely.
You paint with too broad a brush.
De-mint would be the best choice to replace that old RINO.
Peaceful revolution is in the air. The powers to be in the Republican Party ignore us at their peril. We need to hold them accountable for the mess we are in because of the candidates they put forward and the incumbents they support. Unfortunately, the Republicans on Long Island are not getting this message and seem ready to throw their support behind a RINO, John Gomez, with a famous friend. Mr Gomez only recently registered as a Republican and has no chance of beating Congressman Steve Israel. In addition, his recent conversion to the Republican Party makes him ineligible to run in a primary. The RINOs on Long Island are usurping the rights of we the people in Congressional District 2 to vote for the candidate of our choice. Steve Labate is a true patriot who will work to stop this communist takeover of our country. American’s need to wake up and realize that the enemy within is destroying our country. Lt Col Labate has served in the military for 18 years and has served his country in Iraq. He has been an active member of the Conservative Society for Action, who helped elect the first tea party candidate, Dean Murray. Steve Labate’s campaign has raised more money from far more donors than John Gomez. Supporting candidates like Mr Gomez is exactly why these liberal, radicals keep getting elected in New York.We need to defeat Congressman Steve Israel who has marched in lock step with this administration’s radical agenda. When the Republicans and Conservatives put up RINOs and CINOs for candidates, the only one who benefits is the Democratic candidate. Voters see no difference between the two parties and therefore, continue with the status quo. We the people are fed up with politics as usual. We want principled candidates with proven track records of supporting the ideals of the US Constitution. John Gomez is just another empty suit whose candidacy will assure the re-election of the Steve Israel. If you’re interested in reading more about the RINO and CINO shenanigan’s, you can visit my blog: http://longislandpatriot.wordpress.com/.
You can’t let a few good apples save a whole rotten barrel.
Maybe we will get the first Tea Party Senator.
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