On Saturday Utah Republican Senator Bob Bennett was defeated by two more conservative candidates at the State’s Republican Convention. Bennett, who is in his third term, will not even be able to put his political fate in the hands of Utah’s Republican voters in a primary. In short, Bennett was forced out, because many conservatives determined that he was simply not conservative enough. Bennett voted for TARP, he worked with Democrat Ron Wyden on a health care proposal and he voted in favor of the stimulus bill. In reality, all of those votes were good-faith efforts to reach across the political isle and work with Democrats to try and solve some of the most difficult problems our nation faces. Do to his willingness to reach across the aisle, something most voters say they want in a politician, Mr. Bennett lost his job.
Let me say that I am not a huge fan of Mr. Bennett, he is much more conservative than I like a senator to be, but Senator Bennett’s willingness to work with Democrats stood out in a political environment marred by extreme polarization. Unfortunately, Utah Republicans, like Republicans everywhere, have chosen polarization over accomplishment. Until more Americans embrace the idea of working together to solve the problems our nation must solve our nation will continue failing to make the difficult decisions we have put off for decades. Punishing politicians that work with members of the other party is not only unfair it’s stupid.
Tags: Bob Bennett, Congress, Democrats, Republicans, Senate, Utah
May 10, 2010 at 11:05 am |
I am no fan – believe me – of the Tea party but Bob Bennett was not just past it in terms of age but his type of elitist aristocratioc family rule is long past its sell by date. The son of a Senator (also for Utah) and connected by marriage to the Udall family who seem to throw Senators like dogs have fleas he was very much an oligarch of the old school. Perhaps this age and its problems need fresher blood? My blog explores the genealogy for those interested (and you should be its quite shocking) is at http://www.theoligarchkings.wordpress.com
May 10, 2010 at 12:12 pm |
I total agree about the Bennett dynasty; however, if that was a good enough reason to throw him out now it was a good enough reason to not elect him in the first place. But since Bennett was elected we have to look at his record. From that it is obvious that he was willing to work across the aisle. That’s something we need much more of.