The placekicker offers nothing more than platitudes, character attacks, and unsubstantiated talking points

2nd District resident Jason Chaffetz, the former BYU placekicker who now wants to be our 3rd District congressman, is on a trip organized by a group lobbying to open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. He has concluded that “there’s no doubt Democrats are the problem (to high gasoline prices). ... since (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi took over, gas prices have doubled.”

Nancy Pelosi responsible for high gasoline prices? Chaffetz is starting to master Karl Rove’s art of "the character attack," "the rhetoric of diversion," and "the unsubstantiated talking point." All three tricks get a free ride from the media nowadays. All three tricks do nothing to help us find solutions to serious problems.

You think maybe the two oil men in the White House and their cronies cultivated within the Houston-Washington-Riyadh network over the past 30 years might have had something to do with today's $4-per-gallon gas prices?

When President Bush (formerly of Arbusto Energy) asked Vice President Dick Cheney (formerly of Halliburton) to come up with our energy policy a few years ago, he met with the environmental groups once, and he met with the renewable energy folks once, and he met with the oil and gas companies 40 times.

At that point, I should've told Grady, my good ole boy at EdwardJones down in Texas, to dump my "eco-friendly" stocks and buy ExxonMobil.

Multiple initiatives intended to lower high energy costs have passed the Democratically controlled House only to run into a brick wall in the Senate because they did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican filibusters.

Or maybe a loophole that allows corporations (such as the now-defunct Enron run by Bush's friend, the late Ken "Kenny Boy" Lay) to engage in unregulated speculation that ends up artificially driving up the price of oil and contributes to record oil industry profits (and, in Enron's case, cost thousands of retirees their life savings). Maybe that had something to do with it.

Oil companies have no need to exercise the drilling rights on untouched 68 million acres of federal land they currently own when it's profitable, very profitable, to speculate.

Utah's Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson has introduced legislation to curb the role of excessive speculation in the oil futures trading market. It's not sexy. It didn't grab many headlines. But it could be part of a larger package that lowers gasoline prices. It’s called the Close the London Loophole Act.

“I share the suspicion that something other than the normal law of supply and demand is behind the record run up in oil prices. I think there are actions that we can take to ensure a level playing field so that no one is unfairly ‘gaming the system’ on oil trading exchanges,” said Matheson, testifying before the House Agriculture Committee. “The problem before us today is not black and white. It exists in shades of gray.”

The former placekicker could learn from Matheson. Our nation’s energy problems demand thoughtful consideration of many ideas from both sides of the aisle - not sound bites, platitudes, and accusations based on fantasy that only drive wedges between us and prevent consideration of realistic solutions.

So far, Chaffetz appears unable to meet that standard.

Congressman Chaffetz? A horrible idea for many Deseret News readers

The Deseret News published a story Wednesday on how the two District 3 congressional candidates, Democrat Bennion Spencer and Republican Jason Chaffetz, see their prospects.

As you’d expect both are optimistic. Unexpected, however, was the volume of commentary directed at the character of Chaffetz and his lack of qualifications to hold high public office. Many comments were written by people who apparently know him or have done a little research into his background. I know of no concerted campaign by "political insiders" to damage Chaffetz' chances, although it's clear a lot of people are passionate in their dislike of the guy. The comments apparently came in unsolicited.

Here’s a sample of over 79 comments. They paint a portrait of smugness, arrogance, and entitlement. Is this a person who can effectively represent our values in what may be one of the most important congressional sessions in history?

• “Chaffetz ought to not get too smug with laughing and believing his opponent doesn't have a chance. Weirder things have happened and I wouldn't be surprised if Spencer pulls out an upset. See if Chaffetz is laughing then.”

• “Yes, I'm voting for Spencer and not Chaffetz. I'm done with the Utah GOP criminals.”

• “Message to Chaffetz - don't forget how Bill Orton got elected.” (Bill Orton has become Bennion Spencer's campaign chairman)

• “I don't want a candidate who’s all talk - and Chaffetz – that’s how you come across.”

• “I just might be voting Democrat this November - Chaffetz - do not take my vote for granted! It's not a given that it will be for you.

• "That is Chaffetz: smug, arrogant & assuming that the seat is 'his.' I always voted for Cannon but will go for Spencer in November."

• “I think the fact that Harry Reid has gone higher than any LDS politician indicates that the LDS/Republican days are coming to an end. I think Chaffetz has the potential to be a serious embarrassment. Let's hope that Utah Valley Repubs will give Bennion Spencer a long look.” (Bennion Spencer is an active member of the LDS Church.)

• “For the first time ever, I'm voting for a Democrat.”

• “Chaffetz is world-class arrogant, and it is just showing. Just ask the people in the governor's office, not one of whom supported Chaffetz.”

• “Chaffetz knows he fooled the GOP and is rolling around in his greatness. What he hasn't counted on is the level of disdain for his lies. I've served on the GOP State Central Committee, state delegate a dozen times, county delegate more than that, etc. I am organizing Republicans for Spencer.”

• “The state of Utah and the 3rd District will be much better served by having a Bill Orton type Democrat for two years, then come back with honest Republican candidates in 2010.”

• “Chaffetz must not win this fall! Tell everyone you know: Dump the conman!”

• “Wow someone is already acting arrogant, without being elected first. Wow, I know who I'll be voting for and who to rally people against.”

• “I'm carefully studying both candidates. If the Democrat candidate speaks against abortion and against socialized government he might pull off an upset. I'm one Republican that just can't see any reason to vote for Mr. Chaffetz. In my opinion, his resume shows that he has not been able to handle the little jobs (compared to being a Congressman). I just don't think that he is prepared to represent me in Congress.”

• “That guy is a fake. I've heard stories he's not what he claims to be. Faking conservative is the easiest position to take ... He's pulling the wool over everyone's eyes.”

• “When someone is as arrogant about his chances of winning as Chaffetz is, I see no scenario where he will be accountable to the people. Why should he bother listening to them and representing him if the people automatically vote for him instead of approaching the ballot box with perpetual skepticism. At least with his attitude, in my mind he has already been corrupted by Washington.”

• “I hope the voting public will realize that they will get a supposed right-wing NUT, if they elect Chaffetz. We need to bring the party back to the people and electing a NUT will not do so. Let's elect Spencer Bennion and have someone who will represent the normal person in the 3rd District.”

• “How can a guy who doesn't live in the district he seeks to represent be so certain that the people of the district will elect him? His primary election was just a backlash against Chris Cannon.”

• “The article paints Jason just how he is, an arrogant hot shot. Anyone who has seen/worked with him in a professional setting (NuSkin) knows that he doesn't care about anyone but himself. Find a former co-worker and ask them who they will be voting for.”

• “The Deseret News has used great restraint in all articles about Jason Chaffetz. If anything, Mr. Chaffetz has NOT been misrepresented, he has not been truthfully and accurately represented at all.”

• “The 3rd District has a right to know exactly who he is and what he has done. We voters should picket the Deseret News until Mr. Cannon finally prints the known facts about Mr. Chaffetz. If Mr. Cannon actually did that, Mr. Chaffetz could save his campaign funds because the voters would know that Mr. Chaffetz is not qualified to represent the 3rd District.”

• “Typical Republican arrogance! You think he takes for granted your vote? He believes because he is the Republican nominee, he is "entitled" to the position. That's a lot of hubris coming from a place kicker.”

• “Chaffetz won't be getting my vote with such arrogance, but he will still be the representative. He is effectively running unopposed being the Republican in the race, even if he is so undesirable.”

• “I have checked into Cheffetz from BYU football players /students that knew him... Let me say, this guy is a self-absorbed fraud.”

Candidate for governor Bob Springmeyer asks: Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Huntsman's 4/10/40 proposal ignores good management practices and is a disaster for many Utah families.

Bob Springmeyer, the good education, good jobs, good health, good government candidate for Utah governor, today said that "Huntsman again demonstrated how detached he is from the realities of life as most Utahns live it and the real issues affecting state government."

Springmeyer an economist and management consultant drew attention to how "Huntsman's wrongheaded management and top-down policies" took a "good idea and made it into a disaster for state employees."

Huntsman has directed that state employees would be working a 4/10 workweek.

• Why weren't Utah's 17,000 state employees' part of the decision?

• Why weren't the state's clients - Utah's taxpayers consulted?

• All this for an unknown and undefined energy savings!

• All this for the potential saving of just 27 cents on each $1,000 the state spends!

• Are Republican leaders afraid their "emperor has no clothes"? A nice guy who hasn't done anything!

For those employees who have young children in day care, children would need to be left by 6:30 a.m. and then not pick up them up until after 6 p.m. Young children would need to eat dinner at the day care since parents wouldn't get home until 6:30 or later. Latchkey children will need to get their own breakfasts and be unsupervised for afternoons and early evenings.

For those employees who are working second jobs, the Huntsman 4/10 proposal is a disaster.

For those employees who are furthering their education the Huntsman 4/10 proposal is a disaster.

Hardly a Family Values Proposal.

The 4/10/40 Alternative Work Week Schedule is not a bad idea, but if we are going to do it, we must do it right and it must be worth the effort.

State employees and people who depend on state services must be involved in the early planning and implementation. Utah is a Great State, but we must do better, and leaving the employees and the public out of the planning is a "recipe for disaster".

Springmeyer has operated his own management consulting business for 30 years. The company, Bonneville Research, specializes in strategic planning and economic development. Springmeyer was born in Provo and raised in Ogden and Sugarhouse. He attended the University of Utah where he earned degrees in economics and political science.

Springmeyer has a long record of working to make Utah communities better places to live. At the recent State Democratic Convention, Springmeyer was nominated to be his party's standard bearer by 88 percent of the vote. Josie Valdez was nominated to run as his lieutenant governor.

Contact: Bob Springmeyer,
(801) 558-1114
info@bobforgov.org
www.bobforgov.org

Rendell, Saturday's Voyeur vs. Buttars: Have some fun as part of a noble fight

Join John Rendell and fellow Democrats on July 30 for a benefit performance of Saturday's Voyeur at the expense of the Republican senator from District 10.

Where: Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North
When: Reception, 6:30 p.m.; performance, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $75, $85, $100; tickets available at SLAC box office

Write (please include phone and/or e-mail) and mail check to:
John Rendell for Senate
P.O. Box 95111
South Jordan, UT 84095-1111

For more information: (801) 949-9321 or e-mail bglarson@comcast.net.
Why:
“It would be easier to accept Buttars' mea culpa if not for his history of outrageous, sometimes hurtful, statements on issues ranging from gay-straight clubs in Utah public high schools to teaching "intelligent design" in public schools. Viewed in the most charitable light, Buttars may well have difficulty expressing his points of view. In a less charitable light, many of Buttars' public statements during his legislative service have been ugly and divisive ... (Voters) need to remember that the election is not just about who represents them in the Legislature. It's about how the nation views Utah and Utahns. Surely we all deserve better.”
– Deseret News editorial, Feb. 15, 2008
___________________________________

“I gave a speech a few months ago that ended with a call to action to get involved with the legislative process. As the 2008 legislative session wore on I kept hearing about the unbelievable actions and statements of our elected senator. Many told me they hoped that someone would step forward and say ‘ENOUGH!’ I decided to be that person – I want to be your state senator.”

Thank you for helping out in this fight.

– John Rendell

A simple solution to the institutional sexism that permeates the GOP-dominated Capitol

Tribune columnist Rebecca Walsh today described a pattern of institutional sexism that permeates the GOP-dominated Utah Legislature. She didn’t comment on recent politically driven allegations leveled anonymously against Republican Rep. Steve Mascaro by a college-age intern. She focused on what she had witnessed as a Capitol Hill reporter over the years:

“Blond reporters were warned to stay on guard with a particular senator who had a penchant for leering down blouses; some eventually complained to Senate leaders. In a scandal a few years ago, a veteran representative left his wife for a much younger female page. Some lawmakers claim “trophy” interns year after year - beauty pageant winners and the like. Ribald jokes and sexual innuendo about male enhancement are an occasional diversion from the drudgery of lawmaking. And uninvited touching is rampant - on the shoulder, the arm, between the shoulder blades.”

Democrats have a simple solution that reflects our values as a party that leaves no one out. Send these balding, middle-aged, chubby ole boys into retirement - the way they sent Olene Walker, Utah's first and only female governor, into retirement four years ago.

Put these strong Democratic women in charge: Josie Valdez, Jean Welch Hill, Clare Collard, Luz Robles, Kathie Davies, Denise Hancock, Cora Lee JcKowski, Karen Mayne, Karen Morgan, Jennifer Burley Wolfe, Trish Beck, Marie Poulson, Laura Black, RaDene Hatfield, Tanya Taylor, Suzanne Marychild, Ava Painter, Marcie West, Carole Peterson, Pat Herrera, Sue Duckworth, Jen Seelig, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Christine Johnson, Gwyn Franson, Janice Fisher, Jackie Biskupski, Kathie Davies, Carol Spackman Moss, Denise Hancock, Patty Rich, Lisa Johnson, Kathy Lofft, Mary Lou Huffmon, Deon Turley, Claralyn Hill, Debbie Swenson, Christine Watkins.

McCain/Gramm on the tanking U.S. economy: It's all in your head

After a weekend of watching John McCain's campaign try to distance itself from campaign co-chair and top economic advisor Phil Gramm, the Democratic National Committee hasreleased a new video highlighting the inseparable link between McCain and Gramm. The new video shows McCain repeatedly praising Gramm's judgment on the economy and echoing Gramm's claim that the economic challenges facing America's working families are "psychological."





The video also shows that, despite Carly Fiorina's claim on Meet the Press that Phil Gramm doesn't speak for John McCain, Gramm was in fact speaking for McCain at the Wall Street Journal editorial page on the same day McCain was saying otherwise. In reality, Phil Gramm was a key architect of the economic agenda John McCain is trying to sell on the campaign trail and a key component of his effort to win over skeptical conservatives. McCain even cites the advice he gets from Gramm as an example of why voters shouldn't be worried about McCain's admission that the economy is something he doesn't understand as well as he should.

Democrats' presumptive nominee for president outlines plan for Iraq

By BARACK OBAMA

CHICAGO — The call by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki for a timetable for the removal of American troops from Iraq presents an enormous opportunity. We should seize this moment to begin the phased redeployment of combat troops that I have long advocated, and that is needed for long-term success in Iraq and the security interests of the United States.

The differences on Iraq in this campaign are deep. Unlike Senator John McCain, I opposed the war in Iraq before it began, and would end it as president. I believed it was a grave mistake to allow ourselves to be distracted from the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban by invading a country that posed no imminent threat and had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Since then, more than 4,000 Americans have died and we have spent nearly $1 trillion. Our military is overstretched. Nearly every threat we face — from Afghanistan to Al Qaeda to Iran — has grown.

In the 18 months since President Bush announced the surge, our troops have performed heroically in bringing down the level of violence. New tactics have protected the Iraqi population, and the Sunni tribes have rejected Al Qaeda — greatly weakening its effectiveness.

But the same factors that led me to oppose the surge still hold true. The strain on our military has grown, the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated and we’ve spent nearly $200 billion more in Iraq than we had budgeted. Iraq’s leaders have failed to invest tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues in rebuilding their own country, and they have not reached the political accommodation that was the stated purpose of the surge.

The good news is that Iraq’s leaders want to take responsibility for their country by negotiating a timetable for the removal of American troops. Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. James Dubik, the American officer in charge of training Iraq’s security forces, estimates that the Iraqi Army and police will be ready to assume responsibility for security in 2009.

Only by redeploying our troops can we press the Iraqis to reach comprehensive political accommodation and achieve a successful transition to Iraqis’ taking responsibility for the security and stability of their country. Instead of seizing the moment and encouraging Iraqis to step up, the Bush administration and Senator McCain are refusing to embrace this transition — despite their previous commitments to respect the will of Iraq’s sovereign government. They call any timetable for the removal of American troops “surrender,” even though we would be turning Iraq over to a sovereign Iraqi government.

But this is not a strategy for success — it is a strategy for staying that runs contrary to the will of the Iraqi people, the American people and the security interests of the United States. That is why, on my first day in office, I would give the military a new mission: ending this war.

As I’ve said many times, we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 — two years from now, and more than seven years after the war began. After this redeployment, a residual force in Iraq would perform limited missions: going after any remnants of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, protecting American service members and, so long as the Iraqis make political progress, training Iraqi security forces. That would not be a precipitous withdrawal.

In carrying out this strategy, we would inevitably need to make tactical adjustments. As I have often said, I would consult with commanders on the ground and the Iraqi government to ensure that our troops were redeployed safely, and our interests protected. We would move them from secure areas first and volatile areas later. We would pursue a diplomatic offensive with every nation in the region on behalf of Iraq’s stability, and commit $2 billion to a new international effort to support Iraq’s refugees.

Ending the war is essential to meeting our broader strategic goals, starting in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban is resurgent and Al Qaeda has a safe haven. Iraq is not the central front in the war on terrorism, and it never has been. As Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently pointed out, we won’t have sufficient resources to finish the job in Afghanistan until we reduce our commitment to Iraq.

As president, I would pursue a new strategy, and begin by providing at least two additional combat brigades to support our effort in Afghanistan. We need more troops, more helicopters, better intelligence-gathering and more nonmilitary assistance to accomplish the mission there. I would not hold our military, our resources and our foreign policy hostage to a misguided desire to maintain permanent bases in Iraq.

In this campaign, there are honest differences over Iraq, and we should discuss them with the thoroughness they deserve. Unlike Senator McCain, I would make it absolutely clear that we seek no presence in Iraq similar to our permanent bases in South Korea, and would redeploy our troops out of Iraq and focus on the broader security challenges that we face. But for far too long, those responsible for the greatest strategic blunder in the recent history of American foreign policy have ignored useful debate in favor of making false charges about flip-flops and surrender.

It’s not going to work this time. It’s time to end this war.

Barack Obama, a United States senator from Illinois, is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.