Posted on 06/15/2006 5:07:04 PM PDT by Dane
Buchanan(Tancredo) PAC targets Cannon in radio ads
If you can define yourself in politics by the kind of enemies you make, Rep. Chris Cannon is moving up in the world.
Cannon, R-Utah, is now receiving the significant monetary attention of Team America, an anti-illegal immigration political action committee started by fellow GOP House member Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and now run by Bay Buchanan, the celebrated sister of longtime conservative candidate/columnist Pat Buchanan.
Bay Buchanan, who appears regularly on national TV news and political opinion programs, put it bluntly in a telephone interview Tuesday: "We want to defeat Chris Cannon."
Knocking out "President Bush's point man in the House on amnesty and guest worker programs for the United States . . . will show that we intend to hold (other congressmen) accountable," Buchanan said. "The best way to do that is to defeat Cannon — that will put the whole (U.S.) House on notice."
Pointing to detailed Cannon votes on its Web site — www.teamamericapac.org — Buchanan said the group's ads tell "the truth" about Cannon's support for an illegal immigrant amnesty and guest worker program.
Not so, says Nathan Rathbun, Cannon's campaign manager. "Rather than relying on attacks from out-of-state special interests, we would suggest talking about Congressman Cannon's actual record.
"If you look at that record, you will see that it is not what those ads portray it to be. The ads are not true. Chris has always said he is against illegal immigration and for legal immigration. To suggest that Chris is somehow a Johnny-come-lately to enforcement is just plain wrong. For example, Cannon has voted five times since 1999 to authorize the use of military personnel on the border.
"We will hold that record up against a laughter-filled radio ad (by Team America) any day of the week," Rathbun said
Team America's accusations are so far off of the truth "we don't even know how to respond," Rathbun said. But Cannon's campaign apparently will try to do so. KSL Radio officials say Cannon is expanding his radio buy this week — he had a new ad running specifically saying he's tough on illegal immigrants — while Team America is spending $15,000 on anti-Cannon spots.
Why target Cannon rather than other GOP House members with similar voting records on illegal immigration?
"Chris Cannon is first up to bat," Buchanan said. "His primary just happens to come before some others. But beyond that, (Cannon) is not telling his constituents the truth. He's hiding from his real record" in voting on illegal immigration issues.
But Cannon would be in Team America's gun sights even if his primary were later in the year, she added.
Cannon "is a great opportunity for us. If we can defeat a sitting congressman in his own primary, it will send a shock wave through the whole House. Put all (so-called pro amnesty congressmen) on alert."
Buchanan showed up in Utah at the May 13 state GOP convention to speak for Merrill Cook, a former GOP 2nd Congressional District House member who was knocked out of the 3rd District race at the convention.
Team America is not giving any money to Republican John Jacob, who faces Cannon in the June 27 primary. "We are a small PAC," Buchanan said. "But we will run radio ads through next week until the primary."
The Team America PAC collects money from all over the country. But in late 2005, a Spanish Fork couple, Kevin and Jenny Baadsgaard, loaned the PAC nearly $10,000, its largest single contribution, Federal Election Commission reports show.
Buchanan said those specific funds went for a DVD production and are not directly going into paying for the two anti-Cannon radio ads now on local Utah stations.
Kevin Baadsgaard declined comment Tuesday on why his family supports Team America. However, the Baadsgaards donated several thousand dollars in 2004 to Matt Throckmorton, a former Utah GOP House member who tried, unsuccessfully, to unseat Cannon that year. Throckmorton's main campaign issue was illegal immigration.
So far, the Baadsgaards have not contributed to Jacob.
The district is heavily Republican, and the primary winner is an odds-on favorite to win the seat in November. If Cannon survives the June 27 primary, Team America will likely back away. "We are opposing pro-amnesty Republicans in their primaries, opposing Democrats in the final election," Buchanan said.
She doesn't expect Team America to be in Utah contesting Cannon's election in the November final campaign. "But with (Cannon), well . . . we'd still probably make that decision later," she said.
Nobody is tougher on illegal immigration than Cannon. Enemies of this country, probably the al-Qaeda or their principle deputy in the US Sheik al-Tancredo, want to destroy everything decent and holy Cannon has done to toughen and close our borders against the scourge of illegal immigration. The good citizens of the 3rd District can't let that happen. Cannon is the only person in Washington with the wisdom, experience, and--yes--the courage to stand in the breach and tell the illegals: "Halt ye infernal beasts of the pit! Though no man stand with me, I will permit no further incursion!"
That's the thrust of his radio ads. He's clearly counting on a high turnout of the stupid vote. We'll see if he gets it.
The same crew has turned out to support Cannon in the past.
Thats what democracy is all about my friend. The candidate you support vs the candidate I support. May the secure the borders bunch win. may the pro -amnesty bunch get sent an early message.
We shall see.
I'm guessing Cannon will get at least 60%.
Why is he running away from the Bush policy he has supported (until he was forced in a runoff?) I thought this policy is what the American people want?
I hear that all the time from fellow freepers. What now he's running away from it.
Where's your conviction Cannon?
Illegal aliens possibly becoming instant American citizens wasn't in play in '04.
But Tancretin and Bay "Mo Money Mo Money Mo Money" Buchanan have spoken! Jacob is the True Anointed One of Conservatism! Stone is an infidel dog!
Dane, I'm so glad you are quoting these numbers. Look to be eating crow, served by the Secure The Borders citizens of Utah soon.
Bring it on!
Bring it on!
Yeah whatever, "I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down" bloviator.
Well the point is: How much do you know about the candidate you support?
If you listen carefully and are informed you realize that his ads are very cleverly--deceptively--structured to give him deniability as to his apparent intentions.
Now now now, No name calling.
It's pretty simple now, will the citizens of Utah reject or accept Bush, Cannon's and The senates version of immigration reform?
Can't wait to see which way the immigration wind is blowing in rural america?
By the way why is Cannon running away from his past record on immigration instead of defending it?
Your educated response would be appreciated.
As much or more than I knew about Cannon when he was first voted in.
A lot more than you know about Cannon now, apparently.
It will be nice to see sourpusses bay buchanan and tancredo eat the crow.
They'll do the same thing Pat did when he lost in 1996--claim that there was vote fraud. They'll post DU threads about Diebold voting machines as "proof."
You're counting on a large turnout of the stupid vote in an off-year primary election.
You might be right. His ads are pitched brazenly at the stupids. They may come through for him.
Do you have a link to that stat?
They're committed solidly to Jacob.
Would that be in chimichanga or a burrito?
But why is Cannon now running away from his past record...the point man for Bush's immigration policy?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.