Conservative Pundit: Donald Trump Is ‘God’s Anointed Choice For President’

Save this one to your "humor files" folder, Peeps:

"In a column today, far-right radio host Laurie Roth writes that "several people" 'have been awakened and given visions and words from God as to who would become President' and they were (additionally told by God) that, quoting again, 'all told that Donald Trump was God’s anointed choice for President.'

Roth reportedly wonders if God is using Trump to “conquer evil” and “build back a country that God loves,” citing a chapter of the Bible that she believes points to a Trump election victory.

Here's the Laurie Roth bloglink, Peeps (wethink):

• BlogWire: Get Ready – God will have mercy on America this election and make her God’s light on a hill again

“Pray for a Donald Trump victory and expect greatness,” she writes. “Don’t do this because Trump is mouthy and imperfect but because he will honor Israel, is a sincere and new Christian who prays to the living God, has exceptional ideas for leadership and who has been prepared for this job…perhaps even by God. I believe God has spoken. You vote accordingly.”

(Don't laugh, people. Many crazed right-wingers listen to Laurie Roth, we're told.) Even more crazed crackpot Mormons try daily to get Ms. Roth's telephone number, we're also duly informed.

So.  Are Republicans crazy enough for your tastes, as the 2016 election fast approaches?

Your Blogmeister's take? 2016 Republicans are total looniebirds.

So what say you, Weber County Forum political Wonks?

Dallas Morning News Declines to Endorse GOP Nominee for First Time Since 1964

"Donald Trump is not qualified to serve as president and does not deserve your vote," opines the "reddest" editorial board in possibly the reddest state in America

Via NBC News:

The editorial page of the Dallas Morning News is declining to back the Republican presidential nominee for the first time since 1964.
In a scathing editorial, the paper wrote that Donald Trump is "at odds with nearly every GOP ideal this newspaper holds dear. "
"We have no interest in a Republican nominee for whom all principles are negotiable, nor in a Republican Party that is willing to trade away principle for pursuit of electoral victory," the paper wrote. "Trump doesn't reflect Republican ideals of the past; we are certain he shouldn't reflect the GOP of the future. Donald Trump is not qualified to serve as president and does not deserve your vote."
The missive comes as a new poll from the Washington Post shows a dead heat among voters in Texas, a traditionally red state.

Read up, Peeps!

• Donald Trump is no Republican

"Donald Trump is not qualified to serve as president and does not deserve your vote," opines the "reddest" editorial board in possibly the reddest state in America.

On His Deathbed, Former Republican Senator Apologizes For Donald Trump (Video)

As for the current situation in Utah's federal Senate delegation, and in hindsight, Your blogmeister would take Bob Bennett any day of the week, dead or alive, over his crackpot tea party replacement, Mike Lee.

Here's the video story, peeps:



Perhaps the Standard's Don Porter got it at least halfway right, after all, in the end:

• Sen. Bennett displayed lost eagerness to serve the people

"Unlike many of the politicians populating government today, Bennett was a statesman. In my book, that’s high praise," eulogizes  the ever curmudgeonly Standard-Examiner legend, Don Porter.

As for the current situation in Utah's federal Senate delegation, and in hindsight, Your blogmeister would take Bob Bennett any day of the week, dead or alive, over his crackpot tea party replacement, Mike Lee.

Howbout you, folks?

Howard Stern Predicts Trump Will Win GOP Nod: 'People Dig Him'

Whoa! Howard Stern has spoken:

“I think more or less, people are super tired of politicians, meaning that they like the idea of a successful businessman running the country who might actually be able to get sh*t done," Howard Stern said about Donald J. Trump. Read up!

• Howard Stern predicts Trump will win GOP nod: 'People dig him'

End of story, yes?

Utah GOP Legislature: While Medicaid Debate Drags On, Utahns Are Dying

Utah legislative Death Panels, anyone?

As the Utah GOP "Gang of Six" keeps on dithering about Utah Medicaid expansion, we'll shine the spotlight on two kick-ass Northern Utah media articles which truly highlight the sheer heartless sleaziness of the Utah GOP majority, who rule our Utah State legislature with a Cruel Iron Hand:

Both the The Trib and Utah Policy carry compelling stories, illustrating how at least one Utahn died, due to the Utah GOP's crackpot opposition to the incorporating of AFA provisions into Utah Medicaid law:

• While Medicaid debate drags on, Utahns are dying - Tribune
• Medicaid Expansion Debate Hits Home for Hughes -Utah Policy

There have been many more unnecessary deaths, of course.

Utah Legislative Death Panels, anyone? Check out the current Utah Gummint death panel photo image, which we've embedded above.

Salt Lake Tribune Editorial: Feds Can’t Steal Land They Already Own

And one other thing:  Keep on voting Republican, Utah Sheeple

Most excellent Salt Lake Tribune editorial commentary this morning.  Here's the lede setrup:

How can you steal something you already own?
That's the Mad Tea Party question that occurs upon hearing that the Utah's Rep. Rob Bishop has predictably gone ballistic over President Obama's move to protect hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land by proclaiming new national monuments in Nevada, California and Texas.
The congressman condemned the action, calling it a "shameful power move, which makes states and citizens fearful that the federal government can invade at any time to seize more lands like bandits in the night."
Seize? Bandits?
All the land covered by the order is already federal property, property that the president is duty bound to leave to the next administration, and to future generations, in at least as healthy a state as it was when he found it.

Read the savvy full Trib editorial, folks:

• Editorial: Feds can’t steal land they already own

We'll be patiently awaiting Rep. Bishop's Koch Bothers'-laden propaganda retort, we guess.

And one other thing:  Keep on voting Republican, Utah Sheeple.

Election Law Changes Spark Friction at GOP meeting

The Deseret News presents more evidence of crippling  Utah Republic Party dysfunction, with this morning's "telling story." Here's D-News reporter Lisa Riley Roche's lede:

SANDY — There was friction Saturday among members of the Utah Republican Party's governing body over how to comply with a controversial law changing the candidate nominating process that they're challenging in court.
The GOP's State Central Committee meeting at the Salt Lake Community College's Sandy campus started with a closed session with the party's legal counsel that lasted 1 ½ hours.
Afterward, a third of the 15 agenda items dealing with the details of the party's caucus and convention system for choosing candidates to represent the party were scrapped.
Debate erupted over several of the remaining proposals, including an amendment to the party's constitution stating that candidates with enough support at the party's convention "shall proceed to the general election."

Check out the full story, folks:

• Election law changes spark friction at GOP meeting

Sodden observation  If the Utah GOP wants to retain any credibiltiy and/or relevance in Utah, it needs to DROP its lawsuit, for starters.

Utah Policy: Constitutional Defense Council Declines to Use Public Money to Pay Legal Fees for Embattled County Commissioner

Lyman supporters – including GOP Gov. Gary Herbert – will insted donate private money to Lyman personally for his appeal and his trial costs

Following up on our earlier post on the topic, the Utah webosphere is ablaze with the good news that Utah taxpayers are "off the hook" for San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman's legal bills. Here's the encouraging lead from this morning's Utah Policy story:

Who says a public outcry can’t make a difference?
Or the threat of lawsuits?
Or an upcoming election?
After a closed meeting Wednesday, the state’s Constitutional Defense Council and the Utah Association of Counties came to an understanding:
The state WILL NOT spend $100,000 of CDC money to defend San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, should he decide to appeal his recent conviction in federal court for leading an ATV ride on a dirt road closed to such activity by the Bureau of Land Management.

Read the full story, folks:

• Constitutional Defense Council Declines to Use Public Money to Pay Legal Fees for Embattled County Commissioner

Here's the interesting upshot, WCF readers:

Instead, any number of Lyman supporters – including GOP Gov. Gary Herbert – will donate private money to Lyman personally for his appeal and his trial costs.Herbert, who seeks re-election in 2016, will donate $10,000 to Lyman, said Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who chairs the CDC.
The $10,000 check will be written from Herbert’s political action committee, not personal funds, gubernatorial aides told UtahPolicy.

Added bonus: Utah Policy provides this interesting glimpse into one of our own Weber County Commsioner's stance on the use of taxpayer funds in support of scofflaw Phil Lyman's post-conviction defense:

Former GOP legislator, current president of the Utah Association of Counties, Kerry Gibson, a Weber County commissioner, told UtahPolicy that he had the votes on the CDC to provide UAC with the $100,000 requested to defend Lyman.
But after the closed session – in which Assistant Attorney General Tony Rampton briefed council members about the legal implications of the state getting involved in an individual’s criminal conviction appeal – Gibson and his fellow UAC members present decided to withdraw their official request for the $100,000.
So the CDC, their membership here, never took a vote, [Emphasis added]..

Write it down, so you don'r forget it, Weber County voters.

The rest of the Utah online media is all over this story, too:

• Utah taxpayers off the hook, Gov. Herbert first to sign up for Lyman’s legal defense fund - Salt Lake Tribune
• Utah won't put up money to defend commissioner's illegal ATV ride - Deseret News
• Taxpayers won’t pay for appeal of commissioner’s protest ride, but politicians kick in cash - Fox 13
• Supporters step in as state bows out of commissioner's legal fight against feds - ABC4
• Commissioner Won't Get Taxpayer Money for Criminal Defense - KUER

A Weber County Forum Tip O' the Hat to Alliance for a Better Utah, whose "threatened" lawsuit seems to have made all the difference.

That's right.  Even in Utah, "Sometimes the good guy wins. Now that's a Better Utah!" 

Rolly: Big Debt Has Some Utah Republicans Grumbling

With the 2015 Utah GOP organizing convention looming in a short two months, we'll confidently predict that Evans' leadership days are "numbered."

Upside Down

Riveting Salt Lake Tribune column this morning, from journalistic heavyweight Paul Rolly.  Break out your Kleenex folks. We know this is gonna break your hearts:

The Utah Republican Party seems at first blush to be basking in its success and popularity.
After all, Republicans hold 24 of the 29 seats in the state Senate, 63 of the 75 seats in the House of Representatives, all five statewide elective offices, all five seats in Utah's congressional delegation and dominant roles in the county commissions around the state.
In most of the big races, Republicans usually win by 20 percentage points or more.
But underneath the surface, things don't look too rosy.
The state party is $118,000 in debt and insiders say that after the expenses of putting on the state convention in August, that deficit likely will rise to $200,000.

Check out Mr. Rolly's tantalizing full column, peeps:

• Rolly: Big debt has some Utah Republicans grumbling

Under the "leadership" of Utah GOP Chairman James Exans, Utah GOP fundraising efforts have all but dried up. 

Much of the buzz about the party's money problems centers on GOP State Chairman James Evans and puts the blame on his decisions to cozy up to the right wing of the party, leading to the alienation of larger group of party centrists.

In summary, we'll take particular note of this comment from savvy Trib reader MillsLevan:

Another casualty of one-party rule. Why donate when they're going to win everything anyway? There are no battles to fight, nothing to rally the troops. Add to that the lack of leadership on the part of the state chair and it's no wonder they're in trouble.

With the 2015 Utah GOP organizing convention looming in a short two months, we'll confidently predict that Evans' leadership days are "numbered."

Eh, folks?

Standard-Examiner Editorial: Our View: Taxpayer-funded ATV Defense (Insulting)

Utah: "the most fiscally responsible state" (except when it's not)

Click to enlarge image

In the inerest of kickstarting some possible Weber County Forum discussion, we'll shine the spotlight on this morning's strong editorial from the Standard-Examiner.

Here's the lede:

The Utah Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands made a big mistake when it supported using taxpayers’ money to assist the legal defense of San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, who was convicted last year of a misdemeanor when he drove an ATV in Southern Utah’s Recapture Canyon, which is federally protected. The commission wants a legal analysis of the case.
However, the commission’s Republicans, which include Plain City State Sen. Scott Jenkins, are angling to have Utah’s Constitutional Defense Council spend as much as $100,000 to defend Lyman, who faces sentencing later this summer. The council, which will meet later this year, decides money to be allocated for states’ rights tussles with the feds.The 6-2 party-line vote by the commission is an insult to Utah taxpayers, who should not be given the legal tab for a county commissioner’s instance of political activism. If lawmakers want to pay the court bills of Commissioner Lyman, pass the hat among legislators, or pursue assistance from an interest group that sympathizes with Lyman.

Check out the full editorial, Peeps:

• Our View: Taxpayer-funded ATV defense

Remember, folks, Mr. Lyman has already been convicted at trial by a jury of his peers; so whatever taxpayer money that is wasted on this fool's errand will be devoted to a possible appeal:

• Jury: San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman guilty of conspiracy for ATV protest ride

The Standard deftly "nails it," in this "thumbnail" summary:

We respect that Utah lawmakers have an interest in states rights and any potential conflicts with the federal government. But that should not extend to paying the tab for law-breakers, which Lyman is. A Democratic member of the commission, State Sen. Jim Dabakis, Salt Lake City, has it right when he said, “He (Lyman) made the decision to have a public protest. Now he has to face the music.”

This is an editorial board "firing on all cylinders," wethink.

Utah: "the most fiscally responsible state" (except when it's not.)

Utah Policy: Legislature Approves Wasting $2 Million for Public Lands Effort

Utah: The "best-managed state?"

Despite recent withering public relations setbacks,it seems that Utah House Rep Ivory's  crackpot quixotic land grab scheme is still gaining traction within the Utah Legislature, Peeps: Here's the lede, via Utah Policy's eye-opening morning story:

The Utah Legislature will hire three of the most respected and expensive local lobbyists to work on public land issues, but oddly enough the three won’t be able actually to lobby – since it is illegal under Utah law for the state to use taxpayer dollars to lobby.
Doug Foxley and Frank Pignanelli are well-known on Utah's Capitol Hill. They, along with former Utah Democratic senator Blaze Wharton, are part of the Davillier Law Group, a specially-grouped New Orleans legal/public relations team soon to be on an up to $2 million contract accepted Tuesday by the state Stewardship of Public Lands Commission.
Later in the day, (surprise of surprises) the Legislative Management Committee also approved the new contract. [Links added.]

That's right, people; the Utah State legislature is aboout to devote Two Million Taxpayer Bucks to this "fool's errand."

Read the full story, WCF Readers:

• Legislature wastes $2 Million for Public Lands Effort

Utah: The "best well managed state?"

LOL!

Standard-Examiner: Our View: Utah Needs Medicaid Expansion

We're hoping our Weber County legislative delegation has "their ears on"

Utah needs Medicaid expansion. We have it in our grasp but our pols won’t accept it. Instead, the Utah House offers the misnamed Utah Cares, a bare-bones “reform” that leaves far too many vulnerable Utahns without health insurance security; it’s also more costly than Healthy Utah.

Standard-Examiner Editorial
Our View: Utah needs Medicaid expansion

It’s a no-brainer that if we have the means, we should provide those in need with health care insurance. We have the money to provide more of Utahns health insurance. Yet so toxic is the term ”Obamacare“ that our Utah House can’t even support Healthy Utah, a Medicaid expansion plan crafted after negotiations between our governor and the White House.

Stendard Examiner
Our View: Utah needs Medicaid expansion

What's a good, sound  cure for a s-l-o-o-w Ogden City news week? A spot-on Standard-Examiner edtorial, that's what.

Read the full SE editorial here:

• Our View: Utah needs Medicaid expansion

Added bonus: this morning's accompanying cartoon is well worth the pr1ce of admission:

Nice work, Standard-Examiner editorial board!

We're hoping out Weber County legislative delegation has "their ears on."

Sunday Funnies: Utah GOP Settles ‘Civil War’ over SB54

There's blockbuster political news this morning concerning the ongoing SB 54 squabble, as Northern Utah media report that "the bickering factions of the state Republican Party put aside their differences and took steps to ensure that the party will be able to have its candidates on the ballot in 2016."

Here's the lede, via Fox 13 News:

TAYLORSVILLE — It appears Republicans will be on the ballot in 2016 in one of the reddest of red states.
The Utah Republican Party’s Central Committee voted to comply with a new election law during a special meeting here on Saturday. The vote by an overwhelming number of committee members may end an internal party fight over the direction of the state’s most powerful political party.

Read the delightful full morning stories, folks:

• Utah GOP settles ‘Civil War’ over SB54 - Fox 13 News
• To get on ballot, Utah GOP takes steps to comply with Count My Vote deal - Salt Lake Tribune

"For all the complaints of, 'we don't have enough time,' they sure got that done quick. Now drop the lawsuit UTGOP and deal with [reality as it exists,"] sez one savvy Trib reader.

A Terrible Negotiating Strategy: The Utah Republican Party Goes All or Nothing on SB 54

To his friend James Evans, Lockhart would say that his legacy hangs in the balance.

On the heels of Utah GOP heavyweight Dan Liljenquist's scathing 05/0215 Deseret News guest editorial, former Utah GOP Chairman Stan Lockhart unleashed another blictering critique of current GOP "leadership's" handling of the SB54 candidate nomination compromise "problem" on the pages of Utah Politico Hub yesterday afternoon.

"Utah has gone over the last several decades from one of the highest voter participation States to one of the lowest. Endless debate abounds as to the reasons why," Mr. Lockhart asks. "[Because The Utah] Republican Party has demonstrated over and over again the last three years that they have no interest in more voter participation," he quite properly concludes.

Read up folks. We do believe Mr. Lockhart squarely "nails it":

• A Terrible Negotiating Strategy: the Utah Republican Party goes all or nothing on SB 54

Mr. Lockhart neatly ties it all up in his summary paragraphs, wethink:

The Utah Republican Party’s most recent proposals of a $10,000 fee for candidates to run as Republicans and a purity test for all Republican candidates are just more evidence of being out of touch with reality. This exclusionary thinking goes against the fundamental purpose of a political Party and makes the Party irrelevant in the entire discussion of getting more people involved in Utah’s political process. The more the Party makes outlandish proposals, the more they prove the CMV hypothesis that those with power within the Utah Republican Party are so power-hungry they won’t give up that power even if by doing so more Utah voters will get involved. It is a sad state of affairs. 

Many say that all of this Republican Party dysfunction is a failure of Party leadership to lead. As a former Republican Party Chair, I know just how difficult it is to lead a Party. The most difficult responsibility of a Party Chair is to propose Party direction that challenges Central Committee preference. Almost all Chairs face that dilemma and their legacy becomes how they handled those difficult issues. To my friend James Evans, I would say that his legacy hangs in the balance.

Our take? James. Evans' very survival as State GOP Chairman hangs in the balance, as Utah GOP warhorses such as Mr. Lockhart keep "piling on," (if you take our meaning):

• Liljenquist Mulling a Challenge to Evans for GOP Chair

Comments anyone? Ferris?

Online Survey: Utah Lumpencitizens Urged to Weigh in on GOP Candidate Requirements

We urge all Weber County Forum political wonks to throw in your own 2¢, inasmuch as befuddled Utah GOP "leadership" was gracious enough to ask

Well lookie here, folks. In its tireless effort to avoid the perceived ill effects of the of the SB54 candidate nomination compromise, the Utah GOP is conducting a survey.  Here's the lede from Lisa Riley Roche's full Deseret News story:

MURRAY — Salt Lake County GOP delegates were urged Saturday to participate in a state party survey about what requirements candidates must meet to run as Republicans under a new law being challenged in court.
"We do have to move forward and prepare for 2016," Utah GOP Chairman James Evans told the more than 1,000 county delegates gathered at Cottonwood High School for their annual convention.
He said the party can't afford to lose its focus on the upcoming election "because we don't want a Democrat to gain even an inch in Salt Lake County or anywhere else in this state."

Read the full story, O Gentle Readers:

• Delegates urged to weigh in on GOP candidate requirements

Here's the "nitty-gritty":

The state party survey, which went out last week, lets Republicans weigh in on some of the controversial proposals that have surfaced to deal with changes made to the candidate nominating process in SB54.
The proposals include requiring would-be Republican candidates to meet with party officials, attest to their support of the party platform and, for the first time, pay a yet-to-be determined fee before being allowed to run.
The survey also asks whether Republican candidates should lose their party membership for choosing to bypass the caucus and convention system in favor of the newly available option of gathering signatures for a spot on the primary ballot.
Results of the survey, being conducted by mail and online, are scheduled to be discussed Tuesday at a meeting of the state GOP's executive committee. The final decision on the proposals will be made at the party's state convention in August.

A Weber County Forum Tip O' The Hat to D-news reporter Lisa Riley Roche, for providing the link to the online survey, wherein Utah GOP "leaders" seem to be reaching out (surprise of surprises) to find out what Utah voters think:

• SB 54: The Way Forward Survey

We thus urge all Weber County Forum political wonks to click this link, fill out the survey and throw in your own 2¢, inasmuch as befuddled Utah GOP leadership (so-called) was gracious enough to ask for your input.

Utah Policy/KSL Insider Survey: The GOP Proposal to Interview Potential Candidates

One of the stupidest ideas to ever come forth in Utah politics?

In the interest of kickstarting a morning WCF discussion, we'll shine the spotlight on a new Utah Policy/KSL News survey, presented by Utah Policy's Bryan Schott. Here's the lead, O Gentle Ones:

Utah Republican leaders are toying with a proposal to form a committe to interview candidates who decide to use the new signature method to get on the ballot. The idea is to make sure they agree with the Republican platform. Our "Political Insiders" and readers think the plan is one of the dumbest things they've ever heard in Utah politics.
77% of the Republicans on our panel along with 74% of Democrats and 57% of our readers say the committee is is "one of the stupidest ideas to ever come forth in Utah politics."
Additionally, 85% of the Republicans in our survey disagree with the plan to interview candidates as do 91% of Democrats and 84% of our readers.

Check out the full article, for a full complement of charts and graphs, along with a sampling of select Utah Policy surveyee quotes:

• Utah Policy/KSL Insider Survey: The GOP Proposal to Interview Potential Candidates

So what about it folks? Is Utah GOP Chairman Evans's plan to "form a committe to interview candidates who decide to use the new signature method to get on the ballot" the dumbest idea ever?

Salt Lake Tribune: GOP Considering New Screening For Candidates - Updated

Wake up before its too late, my Utah GOP friends!

Oboyoboyoboy. Looks like Utah GOP Chairman James Evens has finally slipped completely "off his rocker." Here's the lede from this afternoon's hot-off-the-press Salt Lake Tribune story:

A plan to have potential Republican candidates vetted and judged based on their commitment to the party's principles before being eligible for its nomination is drawing fire from some in the GOP who say it empowers a small elite group of insiders to decide who gets to be a candidate.
Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans said the idea of creating committees to help screen potential candidates springs from concern that, under the state's new nominating process, people who aren't even Republicans could gather signatures and get onto the primary ballot and the party would be helpless to stop them.
To combat that, Evans said candidates would have to come meet with the interview committees to become certified members of the GOP. If they refuse, they would be ineligible to be a candidate for the Republican nomination, he said, because the law says the candidates have to be a party member.

Read up, Peeps! And no! We are NOT making this up!

• GOP considering new screening for candidates

That's right! "$10,000 and a panel interview, just like Thomas Jefferson (and our other founding fathers) always wanted."

On the heels of last week's strong Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune editorials, together with Sunday's Frank Pignanelli/LaVarr Webb D-News Op-ed piece, we'd hoped Chairman Evens would gather his wits, and start playing amiably by "the new rules."

Sadly, these "gentle nudgings" seem to have had just just the opposite effect.

First order of "new business" for the upcoming  8/15/15 Utah GOP State convention?

Oust this idiot, before he irretrievably turns the Utah GOP into a dead-ender laughing stock!

Wake up before its too late, my Utah GOP friends!

Update 4/22/15 7:51 a.m.: Utah Policy chimes in this morning with a story of its own.  Don't miss the embedded audio of Monday's KVNU radio program, wherein "state Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Bountiful, was a guest, talking about possible changes to party vetting of candidates, when Chairman Evans called in – and the two had an interesting debate":

• Utah GOP Considering Test for Candidates to Circumvent 'Count My Vote' Deal

Update 4/22/15 2:15 p.m.:  The Trib's Pat Bagley "NAILS IT, once again (as per usual):

Update 4/23/15 10:30 a.m.: The Tribune keeps the pressure on with this morning's scathing house editorial:

• Editorial: GOP Politburo needs to trust its voters

And the Deseret News reports this morning on yesterday's Utah GOP Executive Committee "train-wreck":

• Utah GOP leaders going forward with new requirements for candidates

Update 4/23/15 7:51 a.m.: More from ABC4 Utah, focusing on the tactical split which is now occurring within in the "fractured"  Utah GOP:

• GOP members speaking out about controversial selection committee proposal (Video)

Update 4/25/15 8:00 a.m.: More blowback from the Tribune's Paul Rolley:

• Rolly: Republican vetting idea is latest act of desperation

It gets "interestinger and interestinger,"dunnit?

Salt Lake Tribune: Is Count My Vote Deal Unconstitutional? Judge Says He (Still) Wants to Know Why - Updated

We'll applaud Federal District Court Judge Nuffer's generousity in providing the appellants "one last chance"

As a followup to our previous coverage of the Count My Vote lawsuit, in which the Utah Republican Party seeks to overturn last year's SB54 compromise, which establshed a dual-track political nominations systen in the State of Utah, we're delighted to report that this pending litigation seems to have reached a crucial tipping point, during Thusday's status conference, according to this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story as the Utah GOP requests a preliminary injunction this morning:

A federal judge said Thursday he wants the Utah Republican Party to offer a concrete case for why a deal cut last year to change how candidates for political office are chosen violates the U.S. Constitution and should be stopped from being implemented.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer said he wants attorneys for the party to be able to point directly to the Constitution or legal precedent to show why specific lines and provisions of the deal legislators cut with Count My Vote — a group formed to push a ballot measure to change the nominating process — violate the law.

Read the full story, folks:

• Is Count My Vote deal unconstitutional? Judge says he wants to know why - SLTrib

"I have not read anything yet that supports the generalized impingement of association argument you're making," Nuffer told the GOP appellants. The judge said he wants to see cases cited that would support the claim that, by dictating how candidates can be nominated, the state overstepped its bounds and denied the party its First Amendment rights.

Sounds as if the appellant Utah GOP's pleadings so far have been so far insufficient to make its case, dunnit?

Fox News 13 also provides a couple of timely and informative stories on this topic too, shedding further light upon the status of the pending litigation at this crucial juncture:

• Witnesses claim ‘Count My Vote compromise’ bill will destroy Utah GOP - Fox 13
• Judge says he’ll rule tomorrow on Utah GOP’s ‘Count My Vote’ injunction request -Fox 13

We'll applaud Federal District Court Judge Nuffer's generousity in providing the appellants "one last chance," before he "rules from the bench,"  which is what he indicates he'll do as early as today.

Stay tuned, folks, as we'll continue to follow and update this now fast breaking story.

Update 4/10/15 5:59 p.m.: Hot off the press from the Salt Lake Tribune:

A federal judge on Friday refused to block a new Utah law that will change the way candidates are nominated in next year's election.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer ruled from the bench at the conclusion of a more than five-hour hearing on the Utah Republican Party's quest for a preliminary injunction against SB54.
Nuffer said the GOP had failed to show that the law placed unconstitutional burdens on the party.

Here's the full post-hearing story, peeps:

• Federal judge deals Utah Republican Party a blow in its challenge of new election law

The prevailing appellees' next anticipated step, we suppose? A Motion to Dismiss, we guess, inasmuch as the Utah GOP appears incapable of either pleading or proving that SB54 "places unconstitutional burdens on the Utah GOP."

Utah Lawmakers Set the Stage to "Tinker" With the US Constitution - Updated

Bottom line? Once an ill-conceived Constitutional Convention might be convened, there's no guarantee that such a convention might not spin out out control

Uh-oh. Notwithstanding the earlier wisdom of the 2011 Utah legislature, It seems, surprise of surprises, that a pair of crackpot Utah GOP legislators are set to reprise legislation to "fiddle" with the "Divinely-inspired" US Constitution.

Specifically, we're referring to Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, and his Utah GOP House of Representatives cohort, the ever-ethically compromised House Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, who is, incidentally and weirdly enough, "the Legislature’s unofficial (and apparently self-appointed) 'constitutional expert.'" 

The Standard-Examiner carries the full story for your critical scrutiny, folks:

• Two Utah legislators advocate federal Constitutional Convention

Utah Policy is all over this story, too:

• Utah Lawmakers Hope to Inch Closer to Calling for a Constitutional Convention

Here's the big problem Peeps, as we see it:

• States Likely Could Not Control Constitutional Convention on Balanced Budget Amendment or Other Issues

Bottom line?  Once an ill-conceived Constitutional Convention might be convened, there's no guarantee that such a convention might not spin completely out of control.

We'll suppose that this is just another nitwitted Utah-style "message bill," at least for the time being, inasmuch as only three other states have passed resolutions calling for a 21st Century Constitutional Convention --so far.

Trust us though, we'll keep keep you posted, if this crackpot bill somehow emerges from "the realm of the dead."

Utah Medicaid Expansion News Roundup: It Ain't Quite Dead Yet - Updated

Our take concerning the suddenly defrocked Sutherland Institute spokesman, and  Utah's most famous BYU dropout? Go, Boys Go!

In the interest of proving that we're not "goofing off" in the news-lean aftermath of the Christmas/New Years holiday season, here are a couple of interesting and timely stories, focusing on Governor Herbert's "Healthy Utah" "Medicaid expansion plan."

This one's authored by former Sutherland Institute "mouthpiece" Paul Mero, who seems to have grown a little bit more sensible and "human," since the right wing nutcases of the Sutherland Institute "let him go,

• Healthy Utah is Not Obamacare and Conservatives Should Support It

"Conservatives might not like when government steps in to fill this gap but our philosophical dislikes do not trump nor diminish real human needs and our moral obligation (to both the needy and to freedom) to provide reasonable solutions," the miraculously newly-reformed Mr. Mero sez.

Welcome back to the "human race," Mr Mero, sez us.

Despite earlier indications that the "looniebird" Utah Legislature is intent on kicking Governor Gary'as Healthy Utah plan "to the curb" It appears the Governor Herbert hasn't yet totally given up:

• Herbert’s End Run on Medicaid Expansion

Our take concerning the defrocked Sutherland Institute spokesman, and Utah's most famous BYU dropout? Go, Boys Go!

Update 1/8/15 8:38 a.m.: Uh-oh.  It appears that Governor Herbert's "Medicaid work requirement" is "off the table," according to this morning's Standard-Examiner story:

• Feds: Utah will not get Medicaid work requirement

Perhaps it's now time for Governor Gary, to put the arm on his Republican colleagues in the Utah legislature, and talk a little "common sense":

• Study Shows the Madness of States Refusing to Expand Medicaid