Posted on 08/06/2010 12:45:21 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Jim Bennett, the son of Sen. Bob Bennett who ran his father’s campaign for a fourth term this year, has begun working as a volunteer on the Senate campaign of Democrat Sam Granato, who hopes to replace the senior Bennett in Washington, D.C.
Bennett was ousted at the Republican State Convention earlier this year when he came in third in the delegate vote. Mike Lee then defeated Tim Bridgewater in the GOP primary to become the Republican nominee against Granato in the November election.
The defeat of Bennett at the convention has triggered concerns among a number of traditional Republicans who have begun discussing ways to change Utah’s candidate-selection process.
Jim Bennett says his defection to a Democratic candidate for the Senate should not be construed as sour grapes. He says it is an honest assessment in his mind of who the best candidate is among the remaining contenders.
“If you take the ‘D’ and the ‘R’ out of the equation, Sam Granato is more consistent with the values of mainstream Utah than Mike Lee,” he said. He made the move quietly, he said, because he did not want to embarrass his father, who has endorsed Lee and remains a loyal Republican.
Bob Bennett said he has discovered that a number of people who helped him on his campaign are now helping Granato, but they have done so on their own without his permission or approval.
Mac Christensen, the owner of the Mr. Mac clothing store chain who has been heavily involved in Republican politics for decades, is the honorary co-chairman of Granato’s campaign. He said he still considers himself a Republican, but describes Granato as a respected friend.
Stan Parrish, former Republican state chairman and one-time chief of staff to Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, works hand-in-hand with Christensen on a number of issues, but he says he is remaining loyal to the Republican cause and supporting Lee.
Parrish, however, added his name to those Republicans who are upset about the nominating process and that most Utahns will not have an opportunity to decide whether they want Bennett for another term.
“More people participated in the election for student body president of Lone Peak High School than in the decision over who our next senator will be,” he said.
talk about sour grapes...
“If you take the ‘D’ and the ‘R’ out of the equation, Sam Granato is more consistent with the values of mainstream Utah than Mike Lee,” he said. He made the move quietly, he said, because he did not want to embarrass his father, who has endorsed Lee and remains a loyal Republican.
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Sounds like Jr. knowsa as much about the ‘mainstream’ as his dad did. RINO’s never learn so I’m glad to see this one leave.
Please remove the “editorial” topic. This is more straight news than it is editorializing. Thanks.
Taking out the “D” and the “R” is one of the biggest problems in Washington! These political elites ,regardless of party, believe themselves to be ENTITLED to power and the “little people” should have no right to stand in their way!!!
I love this line. The GOP establishment candidate didn't win, so there must be something wrong with the process. Boo hoo.
Punk kid. He’ll fit right in there.
Meanwhile, next door in Nevada, state senate minority leader Bill Raggio (R) was term limited out. His parting shot was to quietly endorse Sen. Harry Reid and urge other Nevada Republican legislators to do likewise.
This is exactly why Nevada needed term limits. Raggio has been a state legislator for 38 years.
yitbos
Good riddance.
Yeah..sure.. As*hat RINO “Jim Bennett says his defection to a Democratic candidate for the Senate should not be construed as sour grapes. He says it is an honest assessment in his mind of who the best candidate is among the remaining contenders”.
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