ComMITTed to Romney!

Jason Chaffetz rode the crest of voter anger and frustration over Congress’ dithering on illegal immigration and the energy crisis to sweep Open Borders Congressman Chris Cannon out of office! If I were an incumbent of either party who has been playing the “go along to get along” game while ignoring the express wishes of the people who put me in office, I would be experiencing an epiphany this morning.

Congratulations to the team of unpaid grassroots activists who helped put Jason over the top! Your campaign success is truly “Participatory Democracy” in action.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700237809,00.html

By Tad Walch
Deseret News
Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:30 a.m. MDT

A groundbreaking grassroots organization built by challenger Jason Chaffetz combined Tuesday with a growing storm of Republican discontent to sweep six-term Congressman Chris Cannon out of office.

Chaffetz handily defeated Cannon, earning 60 percent of the vote to land the Republican nomination for Utah’s 3rd District seat in Congress, a seat held by Cannon since 1996.

“I got a nice call from Congressman Cannon wishing us all the best. That was a sweet call to take,” Chaffetz said after 200 supporters greeted him at 11 p.m. with chants of “Jason, Jason, Jason.”

Unhappy Republican voters stayed home Tuesday, and those who did vote expressed their frustration with $4 gas and other problems. Cannon termed it a revolution, a sign that the anger that swept Democrats to power in Congress had lapped up on Utah’s borders.

Chaffetz agreed voters are frustrated.

“We have to get serious about $4 gasoline, fiscal discipline and the illegal immigration problem in America,” he said. “This is just the beginning. I need your help. We need to take this all the way through November.”

He’ll clearly follow the same blueprint that won the primary.

.

Although I think Karl Rove’s pushing for the illegal immigration amnesty bill last year was a colossal mistake, generally I find him to be a very bright and very informed man.

This Washington Post article is interesting from the standpoint that Rove has so ruffled the Left’s feathers, they continue to pursue him in the hope of getting a belated payback.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article
/2008/06/22/AR2008062201863.html

By Michael Abramowitz

Monday, June 23, 2008; Page A13

He’s been gone from the White House for nearly a year, but Karl Rove continues to provoke liberal ire and present a big bull’s-eye on his back for congressional Democrats.

Rove has moved from full-time politics to punditry, with high-profile perches as a commentator and opinion writer at Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek magazine. He’s writing a book about his experiences in the White House. He’s also said to be involved in trying to line up conservative money for independent expenditures in this fall’s presidential campaign.

Conservative blogger Travis Grant reports that popular radio host Bob Lonsberry will endorse Jason Chaffetz on his program today. Utah Mittheads, call your friends and relatives and give them the heads up on the broadcast and then make sure they get to the polls tommorrow to vote for Jason Chaffetz, the candidate who has signed the No New Taxes Pledge and who will enforce our border laws.

~~John Cronin~~

http://gazelem.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/bob-lonsberry-to-endorse-jason-chaffetz/

21 June 2008 — Travis Grant

After yesterdays post, I don’t know if I should be eating crow or claiming bragging rights on this. But Bob Lonsberry on Monday will be making an official endorsement of Jason Chaffetz on Monday through his web site and I am sure even on the Radio.

This has renewed my faith in Bob. I am not sure what brought about the change. But his article might give some clues:

Jason Chaffetz is a Ronald Reagan conservative. Chris Cannon is a George W. Bush conservative.

And that distinction is the difference which has divided and diffused the Republican Party and the conservative movement. A brief season of power corrupted the Republican Party and has now cost it both its influence and its soul.
…
Chris Cannon is part of the regime that failed.

And while he could easily serve out the rest of his life in Congress, and do useful work on a variety of issues, he would do so as just one more of the Washington compromisers. His infatuation with the process of governing has drowned out his commitment to cause.

It’s not that he lacks the courage of his convictions, it’s that he has grown unsure of his convictions. That suits him very well to fit in in Washington, where he is indistinguishable from the big-name Republicans who have endorsed him, but it leaves him oddly out of sync with patriotic and passionate work-a-day Americans in his district.

Chris Cannon is a Doug Wright Republican. Jason Chaffetz is an Ezra Taft Benson Republican.

Chris Cannon is a good man.

But Jason Chaffetz is the better choice.

As the Republican Party prepares for a season in the wilderness, Jason Chaffetz is a voice to cry in the wilderness. He is the man to stand in the well of the House, even if he’s only speaking to a C-SPAN camera, and preach the truth.

As much as I want to produce more of this. I really don’t have permission to print this much. I just use it to show that Bob has finally seen things the way that I do. While Chris Cannon is a good man. While he has served us well for the past 12 years. It is time that we get right of the Bush Republicans and return to the Reagan Republicans of yesterday.

This is awesome news for me. I hope that this is enough to get those fence sitters to realize like Bob and I do that this is about returning the party and this country back to what made us so great.

So, what made Bob change his mind. I honestly don’t know. I am inclined to believe that after interviewing both Jason Chaffetz and Chris Cannon yesterday (MP3), that Bob realized that principle mattered more than anything else.

My wife insists that it was because Bob read my post yesterday and I swayed him. I am inclined to denounce this assertion, but my stat counter makes it seem plausible.

Hat Tip to Doug for the heads up on this story. I continue to believe that we will have to remain very actively engaged in the political process no matter who is elected in November. Reports like the one below reinforce that belief.

~~John Cronin~~

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080620/D91DI6LO0.html

Jun 19, 11:22 PM (ET)

By MICHAEL TARM

CHICAGO (AP) - Republican presidential John McCain assured Hispanic leaders he would push through Congress legislation to overhaul federal immigration laws if elected, several people who attended a private meeting with the candidate said Thursday.

Democrats questioned why the Arizona senator held the meeting late Wednesday night in Chicago. But supporters who were in the room denied that McCain held the closed-door session out of fear of offending conservatives, many of whom want him to take a harder line on immigration.

Both McCain and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama support giving legal status to millions of illegal immigrants, but neither has made the issue a centerpiece of the campaign. At one time, McCain’s campaign suffered because of his stance on the issue.

http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/politics/2008/06/onder_pans_immigration_decisio.html

June 17, 2008

Congressional contender and state Rep. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, condemned a U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it easier for individuals who overstay their visas to seek to remain in the United States legally.
From the AP:

The court ruled 5-4 Monday that someone who is here illegally may withdraw his voluntarily agreement to depart and continue to try to get approval to remain in the United States.
The decision essentially embraced a proposed Justice Department regulation governing the treatment of similar cases in the future.

Samson Dada, a Nigerian citizen, stayed beyond the expiration of his tourist visa in 1998. He married an American the following year and soon began trying to obtain a visa as an immediate relative of a citizen. But Dada and his wife apparently failed to submit some documents, causing immigration officials to deny the visa.

Onder said the decision “created new rights for illegal aliens out of thin air.”

“When I get to Washington, I will fight for the values that Missourians hold dear,” said Onder in a statement. “And one of those values is respect for the rule of law. I will fight for effective law enforcement against illegal immigration in Washington just as I successful fought for it in our own state capitol in Jefferson City.”

Onder is in a five-way Republican primary in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia. Another candidate for that post - former state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth - addressed the issue of immigration earlier this month.

I just heard Bill O’Reilly talk about the success of the 6,000 National Guard troops that were assigned to our southern border. Border incursions are down 40%! Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff, according to O’Reilly, has hired 16,000 new border patrol guards and the National Guard troops deployment will end this July.

Border state Governors are so pleased with the results that they want the Guard to stay on their state’s borders!

As I have said in a couple of headlines in my recent posts: At last, some common sense solutions to our illegal immigration problem.

Chalk up another victory for “Participatory Democracy”, the proactive approach to citizen involvement in self-governance.

~~John Cronin~~

I have gotten so used to the career politicians both in Washington and in the various “sanctuary cities” flouting US immigration law that it sometimes takes several seconds for me to fully comprehend headlines like the one below: “Bush Orders Contractors To Check Legal Status of Employees.”

After blinking several times, I came to the conclusion that the headline actually said what it said. As I wrote in a post yesterday, it is inspiring to see what an informed and involved electorate can do when it demands governmental action.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D916L5C00&show_article=1

Bush Orders Contractors To Check Legal Status of Employees

By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -

President Bush has signed an executive order requiring contractors and others who do business with the federal government to make sure their employees can legally work in the U.S.

Bush signed the order Friday and the White House announced the order Monday.
The order says federal departments and agencies must require contractors to use an electronic system to verify that the workers are eligible to work in the U.S.

The order is aimed at cracking down on hiring of illegal immigrants. But people who overstayed visas or came to the country legally but do not have permission to work, such as some students or those awaiting work permits, also could be snagged with the system.

“It is the policy of the executive branch to enforce fully the immigration laws of the United States, including the detection and removal of illegal aliens and the imposition of legal sanctions against employers that hire illegal aliens,” in the executive order says.

http://www.conservativefront.com/2008/06/05/
jason-chaffetz-within-two-percent-of-cannon/

According to the Conservative Front the email below was forwarded to the Utah Republican Assembly by Bay Buchanan, a conservative activist and author and Pat Buchanan’s sister. She sounds like she is really pumped by Jason Chaffetz’ chances against Chris Cannon in the upcoming primary.

Go, Jason, Go!

Dear Friend,

The race in Utah is heating up and our man, Jason Chaffetz, is closing in on one of La Raza’s favorite congressman, Chris Cannon. You remember the Cannon-he’s famous for saying that in Utah, “We don’t often times make the distinction between legal and illegal [immigrants]”

Two weeks ago, when in Utah for my son’s wedding, I made of point of having lunch with Jason and his wife. I wanted to be certain he was the kind of candidate who deserved the endorsement of Team America and your support as well.

I am excited to tell you he is all that and more. Solid on the issues, Tancredo-good on immigration-Jason is also tough and gutsy. He will not buckle under pressure. Jason is exactly what we need in Washington.

I just spoke with Jason and he is really thrilled with the feel of the campaign. As well he should be-he has closed to within 2% of Cannon!!!

But he needs our help if he is to beat Cannon. The establishment, ethnic lobbyists, and corporate buddies are once again pouring money into Cannon’s coffers. They know he is a solid vote for their amnesty and guest worker bills. They will do all they can to keep Cannon in Congress-and Jason out.

Jason’s knows he needs to get his message right to the people with strong radio ads. He has already cut the ads-now he needs to raise the money to get them on air!

And Chris Cannon is up to his old tricks. His website has an outrageously misleading video on immigration in which Cannon claims to be against amnesty!! We need to help Jason get the facts out about Cannon’s record and Jason will win this congressional seat.

He needs our help and he needs it now. If there is anyway you can make a contribution to him please do so TODAY. Jason has promised me that all the money Team America raises for him will be used to buy radio Your generous contribution will be used for Jason’s radio buy.

If you want to make your contribution directly to his campaign at his website. Otherwise contribute to Team America and mark in the comment section “For Jason”. We will then send Jason-overnight-a check for the total amount of earmarked contributions. (Team America keeps no portion of contributions earmarked for candidates.)

Thanks again for everything you do to protect and secure this nation.

Warmest regards,

Bay Buchanan

The quote below is from the website.

2% is likely within the statistical margin of error. Jason can win this election. The people of Utah are tired of Cannon’s empty rhetoric and constant inaction. Glenn Beck told his listeners today about the 6,000 people who have been killed along our border with Mexico over the past couple of years by violent gangs. Our legislators knew almost nothing about it. This is why we need strength in Congress. We need someone who can shake those dullards out of their sleepy comfort. Congress needs a new spine. Chris Cannon has failed us in that regard.
Let’s really hit Cannon hard in the next few weeks. Go Jason!

There are a couple of links on Mr. Chaffetz’ website that will allow you to listen to him outline his policies on immigration on The Bob Lonsberry Show. Mr. Chaffetz is a rock-ribbed conservative on immigration. Some of the stats he quotes will blow you away.

Click on over to his website and consider supporting this conservative Republican from the great state of Utah.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.jasonforcongress.com/page/page/5011447.htm

Utah State Senator Howard Stephenson Endorses Jason Chaffetz for Congress:

” I enthusiastically endorse Jason Chaffetz to represent Utah’s 3rd Congressional District in the United States Congress. Jason has repeatedly demonstrated to me his deep understanding of key issues and his passion for returning to core conservative values. These traits are key to strengthening our Republican Party and returning us to the majority in the U.S. Congress.
Jason understands the importance of being a true fiscal conservative. He is willing to make difficult choices and stick to his principles rather than swaying to politically convenient positions. When Jason served as Governor Huntsman’s Chief of Staff he was professional, organized and clearly willing to do the hard work of managing thousands of government employees.

He’s a successful business person, a family man, and someone we can count on to represent us well in Washington, DC. As delegates, you have an important decision to make. I have spent time interacting and studying the positions of all three candidates. In my opinion, it’s time for a change and we should make that change by electing Jason Chaffetz.”

- Utah State Senator Howard Stephenson, 4/18/08

{Editor’s Note: Below are some poll results I just came across in the Chaffetz/Cannon Race}

http://electionadvantage.blogspot.com/2008/05/deseret-news-utah-house-races-2-1-r.html

UT-03 GOP Primary:

Rep. Chris Cannon 39%
Former Gubernatorial COS Jason Chaffetz 37%

The three general elections are all non-races, but the primary between Cannon and Chaffetz looks like the race to watch. Every two years it seems, Cannon faces a stiff primary challenge from the right, primarily due to his moderate stance on immigration. But actually, Cannon fares much better among Republicans (44%-33% lead) than among Independents (48%-21% deficit). If Chaffetz can get big turnout among Independents, he can certainly win this; he also should be encouraged by the fact that Cannon is polling so far under 50%.

Another GOP incumbent gets the surprise of his political life. Jason Chaffetz, an immigration hardliner came within a handful of votes of unseating six term Congressman, Chris Cannon.

He did it because he pledges to enforce our border laws. I’ll be posting more on this new and rising conservative star in the Republican Party in the days and weeks to come.

~~John Cronin~~

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700226057,00.html

By Tad Walch
Deseret News

Sure, sure, Utah County voters are conservative, blah, blah.
Yeah, yeah, Utah County is the reddest county in the U.S. of A. Yada, yada, yada.
We know, already. The broad brush that paints this BYU-blue valley a blushing political red doesn’t mean that every person here is a red-eyed, straight-ticket conservative.
A vast number of real, living, breathing moderate Republicans roam these parts and even a few — whisper with me now … Democrats. But the Democrats are so November — nothing happens with them until the general election. A major June storm is brewing in the Republican Party, where Jason Chaffetz scared the stuffing out of six-term Congressman Chris Cannon on Saturday.
In fact, Cannon barely survived the day, holding onto his seat by a thread. His congressional career survived at the state GOP convention by a slim nine votes.