Dear fellow Democratic state delegate,
I, like you, was disappointed to hear Representative Jim Matheson’s no vote on healthcare reform on Sunday, and I suspect that your precinct caucus meeting last night probably had harsh words towards Representative Matheson just as mine did. Indeed, I have been critical of Matheson in the past regarding his previous no vote.
But please keep in mind the important role Representative Matheson plays in Utah politics before quickly casting your vote for another candidate. Also, keep in mind your role as a delegate.
Matheson is our only Democrat on a national stage, and probably will be until we gain an extra congressional district in 2012. If districts are drawn fairly we could, in theory, have one moderate Democrat and one liberal Democrat representing the state of Utah on a national level – think of it, two out of the four seats are blue…an astounding feat to say the least.
If Matheson can prove to the national party that he can win in tough districts such as Southern Utah, imagine the resources the party could potentially pump into our state, bolstering candidates down the ticket. And if there is one thing Democratic candidates need to win, it is more resources. Don’t forget that people come out for Matheson, and the people that do are more likely to vote for Corron, Granato, your local House and Senate member, and anyone who may be running for county and local government. Without Matheson, you can count on anywhere from a three to five point reduction in your Democratic turnout.
Let us also not forget that the district could turn red in a heartbeat. Yes, we like to complain that Matheson does not represent our interests on issues such as health care (and indeed, this was a major failing on his part), but consider the work he has done to protect Utah’s environment and his work with downwinders, acknowledging climate change, education, and honestly trying to reduce our nations deficit.
To put it bluntly, if Matheson is booted at convention, there is no doubt that a Republican will win the seat. No offense to Claudia Wright, the other Democratic contender, but anything more than a moderate leftist could never win the seat, and anyone who thinks otherwise has not talked to the locals. Matheson has been able to speak to those voters for the past eight years, and, if anything, his no vote represents their interests. Don’t forget that healthcare did pass, and it would have regardless of Matheson’s vote.
Let us also not forget the duty of a delegate – to choose candidates who represent our interests AND win elections – it can not be one or the other. History has shown, time and time again, that parties who only run on one issue and that are not pragmatic soon fade away. The delegate must weigh both of these options when casting their vote for a particular candidate as they have a responsibility to both the people who elected them and the party they represent. We as Democrats are already in a tough fight, and we will make it tougher by removing Matheson.
In short, lets not cut off our nose to spite our face.
As a real pragmatist, I choose to vote for someone who will fight for my interests. To elect someone just because he has a D next to his name is blind ideology.
Matheson has done nothing on environmental issues and on climate has been worse than a Republican. Think about it: Chaffetz and Bishop didn’t have any impact on climate legislation last year, but Matheson used his significant influence as a Blue Dog and on the Energy and Commerce Committee to first weaken the bill, and then voted against it anyway. He did the same with health care.
And let’s get serious about who will bring out the Democratic voters this year. All those people who booed last night are going to turn out and bring their neighbors for “the devil they know?” I doubt it. Look at the recent elections in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Democrats are not showing up because they’re discouraged by the centrism of the party and the lack of bold leadership. Claudia Wright is the candidate who will inspire the party, as was seen last night. At my mass meeting they had to bring in extra benches and they ran out of forms. If we want Democratic voters to show up, we have to give them a candidate they can get excited about.
Matheson is no friend of the environment. Sure he opposed DU but he was instrumental in tailoring the new climate change legislation to line the pockets of big coal and oil. Protecting the interests of these mulit-billionaire polluters is not in our state’s best interest. He should be focusing on creating jobs in new energy sectors for Southern Utah. Let’s get the next generation out of the mines and into geothermal and solar. Claudia Wright is focused on the next phase of job development in central and Southern Utah. She understands that we cannot have ghost towns when the coal and gas industries go under. Wright will help the State gain needed dollars from the federal government to assure the next generation has employment.
Southern Utah is positioned perfectly to be a leader in that market. Furthermore the new oil shale development (s) in Southern Utah will take crucial water away from agriculture and tourism. It will hurt the river running industry. Where is Jim in protecting those interests?
We assume that Souther Utah constituents are all one myopically minded breed who will vote against their own best interests. I think much more of them.
Claudia Wright will work with all of her district and not cater to a few overwhelming harassing voices. Those voices are vocal, they are not the majority. Jim is hurting the party by parading as a Democrat. Donations are down and he won’t have an honest conversation with a single voter. I am sick of his condescending tone. Wright is a straightforward person who will acutally tell you what she plans to do.
Any Democrat at any price is not worth it. Peter Corroon and Sam Granato are great candidates and to suggest they can’t win a ticket without Jim is foolhearty propoganda.
While the points you make are valid, I think Matheson is taking full advantage of his golden-boy-Democrat status.
I have reservations supporting anyone just because it will help the party do well overall — that shouldn’t be a good enough reason to vote for anyone. I believe that the other candidates running for offices are strong enough to stand on their own and do not need sympathy votes. By voting for Matheson, we would be reinforcing his behavior — giving him the signal that he can continue to ignore the people he is supposed to represent.
Matheson got a very cold shoulder in my caucus meeting when one of his supporters spoke about him. The incumbent precinct chair/ delegate in my own precinct was ousted by six different people who seemed to disagree with his blanket support of Matheson. They chose the individual who criticized Matheson, and supported Claudia Wright. I have a feeling this wasn’t the only instance of a Matheson upset last night.
I want my representation back.
We don’t need a “place holder.” We need someone who will work for us right now.
Claudia Wright is an intelligent, articulate and passionate person who is most definitely Not interested in becoming the Professional Politician that Matheson has become. She is a real person who is ready, willing & able to represent District 2 in Utah. To not support her because of the fear of a Republican winning is as shallow as Mathesons representation. Claudia Can win – grassroots are what make the grass grow and that’s us.
People are in need of representation in these amazing times we live in. Think outside the box. The old paradigm is dying and we all must work together to birth a New Paradigm. One that works for us all, not just a privileged few. We the People Can make this happen & we Must.
You allege that Rep. Matheson is a Democrat. Can you offer any evidence for this contention?
A progressive like Claudia Wright can absolutely win if she can energize new voters who haven’t been politically active before because they don’t see any point in voting for a corporoDem like Matheson. You say if she thinks she can win in Southern Utah she hasn’t been talking to the people. Let’s talk about Matheson, who refused to have any legitimate Town Hall meetings and refuses contact with his constitutents except through vapid “newsletters.” That’s certainly not talking to the people. If she can get a bunch of new, progressive voters out, that’s MORE votes for Coroon and Granato, not fewer.
Part of the reason Republicans and teabaggers gain ground is that they have done a remarkable job of getting new, previously uninvolved folks motivated and political. THAT ought to be our focus, NOT hedging our bets on a career politician who stands for nothing we believe in. I am a first-time delegate, precisely because it was Claudia Wright’s campaign and website that inspired me and taught me there was a way to have a real voice! Ms. Wright has my vote.