Rudi Will Graciously Do Your Voting For You It's Tuesday morning, and the polls are open. Today is the final day for Weber County citizens to exercise their voter franchise in the 2006 general elections -- or refrain from exercising it -- as the case may be.
And in that connection we're taking a novel approach this year. In a political environment where the media all across the land urge voters to get to the polls and vote, we're urging voters to stay home. For our own part, of course, we will go to the polls this morning ourselves, keeping in mind that a low voter turnout magnifies our political clout. If the voter turnout drops by 50% of normal, for instance, our own relative political power is doubled. We thus urge everybody to stay home. Let Rudi and a few other political wonks make your decisions for you this year, we say.
For those diehards who insist on going to the polls anyway, notwithstanding your blogmeister's wise contrarian advice, there still remains one way, for Senate 18 Democrats at least, to refrain from exercising their voter franchise.
In recent days we've heard some grousing from democrats among our gentle readership, complaining of the inclusion of a wretched DINO on their otherwise party-pristine ticket. "I'll hold my nose and press the Stuart Reid button," said gentle Curmudgeon in a lower comments thread, "...but I'll vow to become more involved in my party in the future..." (or something very similar.)
Well, it appears that Mr. Reid may have taken distressed Democratic voters almost completely off the hook in recent weeks. For all intents and purposes, it seems to us, Mr. Reid has renounced the very party that put his name on today's ballot.
We'd already heard that Mr. Reid's most recent mailers had neglected any reference to a Democratic party affiliation, but an intra-party event put the frosting on the party-turncoat cake last week.
According to a Democratic party insider with whom we talked yesterday, Mr. Reid refused to participate in this half-page weekend ad, which proudly bears the names and faces of all other Weber County Democratic candidates who will appear on today's ballots under the Democratic Party banner. Mr. Reid did not want to be associated with the other Democratic candidates, we were told. He's a political "hybrid," after all.
Mr. Reid has apparently flown the coop, left blushing fellow candidates in the lurch, and slapped the faces of the party who handed him the Democratic Party nomination.
In classic Stuart Reid style, he DID manage to soak up six grand or so of Democratic party donations before his back-door departure however. Perhaps he considered these funds some kind of severance bonus.
You're off the hook Weber County Democrats. In the event you disregard your blogmeister's sage advice about refraining from voting altogether, the Senate 18 race remains one place you can vote with your feet.
And for the uber-stubborn among us, who obsessively insist on casting their vote today, remember: "A vote for Reid is a vote for Godfrey."
Stay away from the polls!
Update 11/7/06 7:10 p.m. MT: We've scoured the net for the best sites for local election updates, and these are the best two that we've found.
The Standard-Examiner has a dynamic site here. (It updates every 90 seconds.)
The Salt Lake Tribune version is viewable here. (We'll have to wait and see whether it is dynamic.)
Of the two, the Std-Ex site seems to have the better design, at least for political wonks who are closely looking for 2006 Weber County Election results. In both cases, the tracking of races included on Weber County ballots will require some navigation between pages. Both sites have navigation links below the page headers.
We've also added the Std-Ex link to the right sidebar.
Good luck everyone; and may the best candidates emerge as winners.
34 comments:
where is the beef? I wish that I had a real choice in the senate race. Oh well I guess that i will vote for reid for the one simple reason that we need balance in the legislature.
You wrote:
"A vote for Reid is a vote for Godfrey."
Well, so is a vote for Grenier. When Hizzonah is skulking around the streets of Ogden, following a city employee's wife around because she dared to oppose one of his policies, who did the Mayor call for help? What bud could he rely on in a pinch to run a license plate for him? Fella named Greiner, as I recall...
Rudi, with respect to Hizzonah's clout in SLC, it isn't going to matter a hill of beans whether Greiner or Reid gets in. Not a dime's worth of difference between the two when it comes to toadying to Matt Godfrey. If a vote for Reid is a vote for Godfrey, it is no less true that a vote for Greiner is a vote for Godfrey.
As for Reid's nomination, if you go back and read my posts on the topic, you will see I put responsibility for that embarassment exactly where I think it belongs: on the Weber County Democratic Party. He didn't put himself on the ballot. My party put him on there. And as long as the WCDems continue to try to find candidates who look and feel like Republicans in all important ways, the WCDems will continue to enjoy the stunning electoral success they have enjoyed over the past several elections. We elect a few, thank God, but we're not going to do much better than that so long as the operating manual for the WCDems is a how-to-do-it guide to cloning Republican candidates.
As I recall, as apparently you do not, just after Dave Thomas lost the Republican primary to Greiner, you were wailing about the WCRep party having tossed over a good incumbant Republican in favor of a Reid clone and Godfrey syncophant. Astonishing how Mr. Grenier has grown in your estimation since then....
Someone suggested we all boycott the election. He said, "what would happen if we all stayed home on election day?".
I said, "The guy with the most votes would win."
Doesn't matter how many people vote, the candidate with the most votes will still win.
No, we haven't forgotten that we endorsed Dave Thomas, but we also accept the fact that we play the cards we are dealt. Whereas we remain convinced that an intra-party primary invoilving an incumbent opponent is the worst possible inefficiency in a short general election season, Jon Greiner is now the anti-Reid/anti-Godfrey candidate.
And in the interim we've learned lots more about Jon Greiner, and are firmly convinced of one thing at this juncture:
Greiner isn't Godfrey's "toady."
Like many others, we committed the error early on, of assuming that Jon Greiner -- and all other Emerald City Department heads -- were merely ideological Godfrey clones, willingly doing the Boss's bidding.
In the intervening period we've come to the realization, based both on the circumstantial evidence and direct interviews with Jon Greiner, that Boss Godfrey has done everything within his power this campaign season, to damage the candidacy of Jon Greiner, and promote the campaign of Stuart Reid.
We've learned that the vangate situation was a circumstance of Godfrey's making, and the aftermath was solely under Godfrey's control (along with City Attorney Williams.)
Godfrey called the shots in demanding the strictest treatment of Matt Jones, we have learned. If Greiner had indeed been in command of the situation, we believe the matter would have been informally and favorably resolved long ago.
And we understand that Chief Greiner is a life-long military man, who honors the chain of command. It's thus unfair, we think, to tag him Godfrey's indiscrtions. And it's ridiculous to believe that a career cop should have been expected to kiss off a thirty-year police career, by saying "No" to our petulant and vindictive Mayor.
In truth, we believe Godfrey perceives Greiner as a political rival.
And Reid is what he is:
A carpet-baggin' DINO who refuses even to wear the donkey lapel pin.
KSL has a story about people being turned away because machines are glitchy and mentions Ogden as being one of these places. Already has 50 comments on the thread about people who have been turned away, although have not seen any from Ogden.
Some Glitches as Utah Voters Head to the Polls
Greiner, only in the broadest sense, is "a life-long military man".
It is my understanding that he perhaps is a life-long "week end warrior".
Did he ever serve on active duty? Did he serve in Viet Nam or any other war zone?
Not to diminish the reserves, but there is a big difference.
The thing I find most revolting about the Chief is when he publicly called his troops "whiners" to the press. In my military experience that would be the hallmark of a piss poor commander.
The #1 reason to vote for Jon Greiner?
He ain't Stuart Reid!
Weber County Planning Commission Meeting today at 4:30 pm at 2380 Washington Blvd.
Workshop on drafting new ordinances to regulate development on sensitive lands, allowing for transfer of development rights and regulations on resort development.
Sounds to similar to what Ogden City is considering to be a coincidence.
Anyone able to attend?
coe on Rudi. The same old republican dialogue. "It doesn't matter what kind of leader he is as long as he is repubican."
Althepal:
Can I play too? The Number One reason to vote for Stuart Reid: He ain't John Greiner!
Gosh, that was fun.
Face it: Rudi's startling conversion on the road to the polling place notwithstanding, Ogden loses no matter which one is seated as "our" representative in Salt Lake City.
Too late, Curm.
I thought of it first.
So. Did the "holding your nose" tactic work today when you pulled the lever?
Or did you still need to ask one of the judges for an air sickness bag?
Enquiring minds need to know.
I apologize; the Weber County Planning Commission Work Session is tomorrow afternoon (November 8th) at 4:30 not today.
Althepal:
Happily, the stench of the Republican slate of candidates at the polling place so overwhelmed the oder of Reid on God's Party's slate, that I managed it with only a slight queasy feeling or two. But thanks for asking.
From today's LA Times:
The machines let voters check their ballot on a summary screen before it is cast, so they can correct any vote that somehow winds up in the wrong candidate's column. But voters also have to check the paper record before they leave the booth to preserve the accuracy of that record for a recount.
I did not do this, nor was I told to do this by poll workers. Could not see any printout to check. I did look.
Were we supposed to do this?
Touch-screen test, LA Times
Dian:
Yes. The printed record on the machines in my dist was under a little flap/door to the right as you faced the voting panel. You flipped up the door, and there, under a magnifier, was the paper record of your vote, screen by screen, and you could check that it matched the screen if you wished. In the Utah system used in Ogden, or at least at my polling place, you do not actually take posession of the paper record, it stays under glass in the machine. In some states, you get it, check it, then deposit in an old fashioned ballot box. Here, the paper record is visible if you want to see it, but you never get your hands on it. Or so it was at my polling place.
Well. People at my polling place should have told me to do this. I am not one to go fiddling around with computers or machinery if not told to do so.
Not like some. Did you hear about the man in Allentown, Pennsylvania, who smashed his electronic voting machine and then sat down and waited to be arrested?
So how did you find out where the printout was? Did they tell you?
Dian:
At my polling place there were big poster panels on the wall, numbered steps for voting. One of them explained how to check the paper record against the screen, final thing, before pushing "cast ballot."
Curmudgeon:
You will not believe this.
There was one of those at my polling place, too.
I stopped in front of it and said---Maybe I'd better read this.
And an individual standing directly in front of what must have been the numbered step you described said--Oh, it's easy. Just go on in.
That is too funny.
Too late now...the polls are closed, thank goodness, but, the tape with your votes on it that you could see thru the magnifying glass, stay in a SEALED cannister for two years!!
Your votes are also on a micro chip and one other place in the machine.
THE VOTES DO NOT GO TO THE INTERNET. We were elction judges, and we had a few who hate 'technology', and one who was such a conspiracy nut that he thot I or anyone could get in there and find his votes and know it was him. Oy vey...such a headache he gave us all.
Most people were quite delited with the machines. One fellow had so much fun erasing his vote and starting over...like StarWars, he chortled. Takes all kinds. From his remarks, Curm, I'm sure he was a Democrat!
I hope a lot of us attend the PC work session. We all have to stay on top of this. I would hope that Dan, Tod and Dian, Curm too, would attend.
As soon as I saw Trentleman's article in the SE this mornig....I could hardly wait to get home tonite and read the blog. I was SURE Rudi would've put it up as the latest thread. I hope y'all read it? What a treat!!
I'm detecting a new flavor at the SE and it's quite tasty.
Trentleman has a 'take' on Peterson's disappearing act of late. AND, the 1200 new jobs!!!
How did Mary Hall's presentation go last nite? I've been up since 4:30 this A.M., but my tired eyes would like to read your comments.
Joke of the day:
Rob Bishop on TV gloating over his and the Republicans big show in Utah "The reason Republicans win in Utah is because Utah people are so intelligent"!
Not a word about sheep - good looking or otherwise.
In other election news.....
[From the Volokh Conspiracy blog]
Ten states pass anti-Kelo referendum initiatives:
During this fall's elections, voters in twelve states considered anti-Kelo referendum initiatives that sought to ban or curtail the condemnation of private property in order to promote "economic development." Ten of the twelve passed, all by lopsided margins ranging from 55% to 86% of the vote. For a complete list, see here.
The only two anti-Kelo initiatives that failed were proposals in California and Idaho that were tied to complex and highly controversial "regulatory takings" proposals which would have required the government to compensate landowners whenever the value of their property is reduced by various types of government regulations; a stand-alone regulatory takings initiative was also defeated in the state of Washington. Tying anti-Kelo referenda to the much less popular regulatory takings referenda has turned out to be a serious political mistake.
Well the legislatures redistricting plan came through for the Reps again. You will remember that in 2001 they brought in a section of South Weber (from heavily republican Davis county) into Senate district 18 to defeat the sitting democrat. Well if you look at the results Greiner took the Weber county part by 14 votes but that didn't matter much as he took the Davis county part by nearly 500 votes.
And I found it interesting that Reid was being supported by one of the most conservative republicans currently serving in the senate, Howard Stevenson and his parents for choice in education group.
And Greiner was backed by the normally more liberal and democratic leaning UEA.
I see we won't have to worry about South Ogden having to share their Mayor with the State House.
And DeCaria continues to be the only Demo in Weber County.
"And DeCaria continues to be the only Demo in Weber County."
Uh-oh!
Don't forget Neil Hansen & Lou Shurtliff.
We suppose you meant to say: "Weber COunty Government."
(We swear that "AR thing" is contagious." ;)
Now that the election is over, it is time to return to discussion of the really important things, the eternal verities. Like pizza. From today's NY Times:
Reading my morning NYT, I came across yet another mention of Utah in the Grey Lady's columns. It came in a story comparing what Domino's is pleased to call "Brooklyn-style pizza" with real Brooklyn style pizza produced in a real family-owned Brooklyn pizzaria. The owners of the latter were asked their opinion of the Domino's product, and seeking a good symbol for the kind of people who might actually like the Dominio's product, they settled immediately upon Utah:
"In Utah, they're going to love it because they use ketchup and American cheese on their pizzas," she said.
You got me. I even said that Garwood, the R, lost.
Weber County Government.
Rudizink,
"Oh, I'm sorry that we assumed you are a Godfrey minion slacky. We were too quick to judge (No kidding...a common problem at the WCF). Please Jon, buy into my current appeal to you that Godfrey is actually your enemy and you are our mistakely maligned brother." (A mistake commonly made on this site due to the frothing at the mouth attitude often expressed here.)
Sorry...these silly Jedi mind tricks are probably going to struggle in affect because it is hard to get over months of aggressive attacks and accusations that turned out to be unfounded and a waste of local government resources to pursue.
"Cum'on Jon. Your really enemy is Godfrey. We're yer buds!"
You're the darndest guy Rudizink.
On the question of whether Chief Greiner will or will not be a sock puppet for the Mayor when he gets to the State Senate:
Permit me to suggest that all predictions, prognostications, avid avowels and fevered denials are now moot. Chief Greiner has been elected. Presuming he can resolve his Hatch Act problems, or that, if he cannot, he elects to step down as Police Chief in order to step up as State Senator, we will all know, soon, who was right about his alleged eagerness to toady to the Mayor. Not much point left in predictions. We'll have the facts in evidence soon enough. Time to just settle back and await events.
Most Interesting Instant Analysis Yet on National Election Results
From Tom Shales column [reviewing network coverage of the election] in todays Washington Post:
CBS might have made the most concerted effort at explaining what the results meant to real people, not just political junkies. Staff expert Gloria Borger said that as a result of the election, the country effectively has a three-party system: Republicans, Democrats and the administration.
The different between us and some other people, anonymous, is that we readily acknowledge and attempt to rectify mistakes, once we've become aware of them.
We're only human, after all; and we never claimed infallibility...
Unlike some people who sit at the helm of local government.
Don't be a bad sport. As Curmudgeon points out, the proof will be in the pudding.
The proof sure is in the pudding. I'm sure that after being investigated and pursued as he was, Jon and Mayor Godfrey (the man who stood up for Jon the most and was expressly confident that a 3rd party investigation would vindicate any false acuasations against them..), are at each others throats with Jon chomping at the bit to stand next to Sharon Beeche and the other WCF prodigies at the next city council meeting to express his dismay with everything that has to do with Mayor Godfrey. I'm sure that accusations and subsequent investigation just indeared Jon to the WCF and threw a great schism between him and the Mayor who stood by him and never waivered in his confidence that he and Jon did nothing illegal and was compeletely within his rights in executing policy and procedure for the Ogden City police force.
And... as you said ...the proof is in the pudding ... Jon was elected to the Senate, and Mayor Godfrey stood by him in the face of a joyfully fervant attack by the Weber County Forum and its crew.
This link to Weber County election results is interesting. Look at the very top item 'Straight party vote'.
43% of those voting selected a straight party vote. This does not mean that they voted for everyone of the candidates of that party because as some understand all selecting the straight party does is 'initially' select that party's candidate in each race that has a candidate from that party. But you can change each and every vote if you would like.
Note that the 2334 that voted straight party for 'Personal Choice'. There was only one PC candidate on the ballot and that was for US Senator. And this candidate only got 885 votes. When I was looking at the results last night and again this morning I could not figure out why that straight party number for the Personal Choice party was so high. (2,334 out of 41,387 total ballots is 5.6%, while the R's were 21.1% and D's were 15.7% [of the total ballots not just of the number that selected a straight party which is what the referenced web page shows]).
Then when I was talking with my wife this morning about the vote she said she was a little confused when the first screen came up because she didn't want to vote straight R or D or anything else. She wanted to make her own choices. So she was going to pick 'Personal Choice' so she could make her own personal choices. But she asked a poll worker who then explained that if she didn't want to make a choice on a particular one that she could simply hit 'next' and it would go on to the next page and she would not have picked a straight party choice.
I think there were probably a lot of people who were in the same situation but that didn't ask a poll worker and so picked 'Personal Choice' thinking that would allow them to make their own personal choices.
Another funny thing I heard. Someone with small children said they had voted straight party D and then went through all of the screens making any changes (probably none). When he was done his kindergarten aged little girl informed him that he had gotten all his votes 'wrong'. He asked why she would say that. She said when she gets something wrong on her work at school the teacher puts a big X next to it. And all his choices had a big X next to them, so they must all be wrong.
I got a pretty good chuckle out of that. Especially seeing that he had voted straight D, which everyone know is wrong. LOL
We observe the Godfrey spinmeisters, hard at work this morning, trying to patch things up with their new State Senator.
Too funny!
Just spell my name correctly, Anon....BEECH
I must be really tired from a lonnnng day at the polls yesterday.
I can't follow your thinking very well. So Matt loves Jon, but Jon doesn't love Matt anymore...or did he ever?
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