Posted on 06/30/2006 10:09:53 AM PDT by colorcountry
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Some political observers are wondering whether a Mormon church statement urging members to vote in Tuesday's primary may have boosted turnout and helped five-term incumbent Republican Rep. Chris Cannon turn back challenger John Jacob.
"Between the president and Mrs. Bush's endorsement (of Cannon) and the church's statement from the pulpit -- those were the two biggest factors that helped Cannon in his re-election," said Ron Fox, who helped run Bush's Utah campaign in 2000 and 2004.
"I think the church's desires were to get people to the polls and vote and I think, as a byproduct, it assisted Cannon in his re-election," he told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The turnout in the 3rd District primary was higher than in the 2004 primary.
The race had focused on immigration issues, with businessman Jacob accusing Cannon of supporting President Bush's policies, while Jacob opposed any guest-worker or amnesty programs.
Getting voters to the polls had been considered vital to Cannon's chances to keep his seat.
"Turnout usually favors an incumbent in these kinds of situations because when you expand the election pool you are including voters who are going to take into consideration other factors beside the immigration issue," said Kelly Patterson, a political science professor at Brigham Young University, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Quin Monson, another BYU professor, downplayed the significance of the church letter, which he said contained fairly "standard language." However, it apparently motivated some people.
"A friend called to tell me that she voted specifically because she heard the letter on Sunday," Monson said.
Church spokesman Dale Bills said that to his knowledge, it was the first time church leaders have urged its members to vote in a primary election.
Bills said that church leaders "regularly teach that church members should make their voices heard as individual citizens of their respective nations by exercising their right to vote."
The church leaders said that they were lending their voice at the request of Joe Cannon, chairman of the Utah Republican Party and Chris Cannon's brother, and the Democratic chairman, Wayne Holland.
Todd Taylor, executive director of the Utah Democratic Party, said Joe Cannon approached Holland and suggested they make the request to the church, and the Democrats agreed.
"It's hard to quantify the impact" of the church statement, said Jeff Hartley, executive director of the Utah Republican Party.
"Based on the Utah County turnout, which was higher than anyone expected, I believe the president had a significant impact on Republican voters and I believe that the church reminding people from the pulpit had a significant impact on the Republican voters, and I hope our efforts as a party had a significant impact," he said.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
I've tried to tell you many times that I am not a Tancredoite. I was a Jacob supporter before Tancredo knew his name.
I really don't care about Pence, Tancredo, Buchanan and Utah politics. Once again I wish all you all would have stayed out of it. Tancredo's support probably hurt Jacob as much as it helped.
Did you read the title of this article:
LDS Church Letter May Have Raised Primary Turnout
We are discussing the church in this article not illegal immigration. The subject of citizens of the State of Utah and illegal immigration is void since Tuesday evening...
Prior to Tuesday we were disussing the citizens of the State of Utah, most of whom are Mormon (LDS) and how they would vote.... not how the church would recommend they vote. I repeat, we were not discussing The Church of Latter Day Saints ,until this article, today.
Did I think, based on what friends who, unlike you or I, live there were saying -- that Jacob would win -- yes, I did... I was wrong in that assessment. The church supports illegal immigrants, the people in the state do not necessarily have the same opinion, but enough of the one's who do showed up to vote and put Cannon into the Primary election.
All I can say for certain, if this was considered a big turnout, because, last Sunday, the church urged people to go vote, it's pretty pathetic and everyone should be ashamed -- not of the outcome, but the apathy. The outcome is what it is.
I concede your point.
Huh it was the tancredo/bay buchanan DC beltway based PAC that called this primary race an immigration referendum.
Those in glass houses should not throw stones.
looking at the results of the primary election looks like you are the one out of touch with the voters, but what the hey your smears still won't work.
Yes, I am so far out of touch, that my community keeps sending me as their representative. And you know this because of your inside track on Utah politics....right?
Get over yourself. You don't know me, you don't understand my motivations.
You on the other hand don't have the guts to tell us if you are a man or woman, your age, religion, or State of residence. What are YOU afraid of DANE.
Get over yourself. You don't know me, you don't understand my motivations.
You on the other hand don't have the guts to tell us if you are a man or woman, your age, religion, or State of residence. What are YOU afraid of DANE.
Again looking at the election results, looks like you are one out of touch with the voters of your Congrssional district, don't convict me for the crime of looking at primary results.
Hey and it wasn't me who made this primary a national immigration referendum it was Jacob and the tancredo/buchannan PAC, but I can understand your anger and lashing out, getting stung and rebuked by a defeat in your Congressional district is probably like having a 100 jellyfish stings.
Perhaps you're a hermaphrodite? Or you're ashamed of your sex. Which is is Dane? Can't you answer a simple question?
Can't get in touch with yourself? Where is it that you cast your vote? I dare say it'n not in Utah? PAC, er I mean, Cat got your tongue?
Why are you looking for a date?
You two are probably on intimate terms.
I have stated a million times on FR I'm a male and what does that have to do with the humiliating loss for Jacob and the tancredo/bay buchanan PAC.
Anyway I'm not going to get in a p!ssing match with you, as you munch on your vineyard of sour grapes over the Cannon/Jacob primary results.
Wow you are a fine example of a Christian. You are getting very bizarre.
: )
I wish I could figure out some group to belong to that can be a victim.
I think you may want to take a break. Maybe SATAN got into your head.
You just ain't trying hard enough.
Democrat party.
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