Senate Race
In Sunday's D-News, Pignanelli & Webb discussed whether I will run for the United States Senate. Because this story is rolling forward, I'll now make a couple of observations.
First, I appreciate the service Senator Orrin Hatch has given Utah and America. He is a good man.
Second, I believe it is time for change. The seat could use new energy and focus. Because this seat should stay and will stay Republican, that means I welcome viable options on the Republican side of the ticket.
As for me, I am considering a run. My family and I will reach a final decision by next week.
First, I appreciate the service Senator Orrin Hatch has given Utah and America. He is a good man.
Second, I believe it is time for change. The seat could use new energy and focus. Because this seat should stay and will stay Republican, that means I welcome viable options on the Republican side of the ticket.
As for me, I am considering a run. My family and I will reach a final decision by next week.
posted by steve u. at 7/11/2005
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18 Comments:
Good luck in your 'potential' run against Orin Hatch. He has been there forever, and will be a hard one to kick out of his seat. But I do think its time for him to move on or retire.
What democrats might you be running against? Is Utah so strictly republican that there is no chance a democrat could win?
Alan
If you are serious we need to start at the grass roots now.
If you are serious we need to start at the grass roots now.
Steve, you have to run! Utah needs you. Utah needs your policies, your focus and your ethics. This is the right time, you are the right man!
Steve U for Senate!
Of course you are running! You've got my vote. Let me know what I can do.
Of course you're running! Tell me what I can do to help. You are great.
Run, Steve, Run. The State needs a fresh view and you have the vision that the people are craving. Plus, you've always made yourself available to the public.
Thanks Steve.
Steve,
As a former intern who watched you closely you would make a terrific Senator. I have worked with Senator Hatch, and he is a nice man, but he has been there too long.
I would strongly support your bid, and urge you to run!
I think you ought to do it, Steve! Orin no longer represents the average Utahn, he's too East Coast now.
Go, Steve, Go! We'd miss you in the legislature, but I think you'd shake up the Senate and do us proud!
I am behind you Steve, Thanks for the Blog and Good Luck on the decision making process!
Steve,
We need to know what to do to get this Senate ball rolling. I want to help, let us know what we can do. Where do we meet? When? Who can we talk to? Whose legs can we break for the cause? I am excited for you and the much needed change for Utah.
I'm not so sure the seat should stay Republican, though it likely will. In any event, I'm glad to see credible candidates challenging Sen. Hatch. If you do run, I'll be looking forward to finding out your views on a variety of issues.
Speaking as someone who doesn't care for either the Republicans or the Democrats, I hope you (and whoever else runs for the office) publish clear information on your positions on issues like technology, privacy, copyright and patent reform, etc. Your blog might be a good place to do that, but a campaign web site needs that kind of information, too.
If I end up voting for Pete Ashdown (a very real possibility), it won't be because he's the Democrat. It will be because he gets it in terms of the issues that matter to me. Likewise, if I end up voting for Steve Urquhart, it won't be because you're the Republican. It will be because of your specific positions on specific issues, and in spite of the fact that you're a Republican. So, please, make it clear where you stand!
I'd be interested in supporting your run for the Senate if you are committed to the following principles and policies:
--Closing our borders to illegal aliens and terrorists and enforcing our laws against illegal immigration
--opposing any federal judicial nominee who will not limit his decisions to the original understanding of the Constitution
--an America First foreign policy where America remains free of treaties that turn our sovereignty over to international bodies and where America only intervenes in other countries when our citizens and national interests are at risk
--eliminating the income tax, cutting the federal budget, eliminating federal agencies
Steve let me know what I can do to help...make sure you post info about any grassroots efforts that we can be a part of here in SLC.
It's easy for us all to say we want a change...it worked for Sen. Hatch in his first run too.
I am not saying that I have definately made up my mind, but let's just stop for a minute and count the cost:
1)We would lose a RANKING member of the JUDICIARY commitee (in Senate terms a small state like Utah doesn't even get one of those in several lifetimes. It's unlikely that a Senator Urqhart would ever make it there (no offense, but Sen. Bennett is not there either) In the event that Urqhart did someday become our senior senator and landed an important committee asignment, he would likely be struggling with his own intra-party challenges and most of us would rocking grandchildren on our knee at that point.
2)We would be losing one who is arguably Utah's most influential member of "congress" (Senate or House) since Statehood--Wallace Bennett, Reed Smoot and Frank Moss included--why is that important? Let's put it this way...just be glad that with 2 Countries, 4 States and several large metro areas vying for the Colorado river, that Steve Urqhart is not your Senator (not too mention Baraq Obama or John Thune...in these matters ones politics mean little but their ability to negotiate and their understanding of Washington's nuances are indesensible. I guess that's the irony...you get a CONSERVATIVE (yes, a CONSERVATIVE remember the Bork hearings anyone?) like Hatch who is savvy enough to use a Ted Kennedy to acheive a higher goal, and not everyone seems to get it. Let me assure you, if I-15 was still a game trail, and the Colorado river was being guzzled up by other states, then maybe you would get it.
3)What do we really know about Steve Urqhart right now? (don't worry, I'll reserve all judgement and decide who to vote for later). But let's realize that what most of us don't like about Hatch is the result of the fact that we know so much about him. Familiarity can breed contempt, but as with any relationship you need to look at the alternatives. *People say Hatch is a carpetbagger--I have no idea where Urqhart was born where he's been the last 10 years or what he accomplished politically or legally before 41/2 years ago.
*People say Hatch is a liberal...it's laughable at the best, but if there are gullible folks out there, all I can do is pose ONE question: If Orrin Hatch had been nominated for Supreme Court and not Judge Roberts, do you think that liberals would be giving him a free ride? Think about it. Also think about Hatch's regular ratings on the subject of liberal/conservative from outside groups.
I have posed a few questions, but before all is said and done, let me assure you that there will be plenty more and maybe some of your enthusiasm will be curbed a bit.
Okay. I'm running. I peronally know many of you, and I'd go into battle with you by my side any day. Let's do it!
To the last anonymous poster, what do you know about me? That you said something and I heard it. Now, that's an exciting change to a lot of people.
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