Matheson skipping another national Democratic convention
So what is more important than casting a vote for Barack Obama to become the first black man nominated by a major party for president, while a football stadium full of cheering Democrats looks on in Denver next month?
"He's got his campaign here that's he's very focused on. Also, his son, William, is going to start the fourth grade that week. For a parent, it's nice to meet the teacher and all of that," said Alyson Heyrend, Matheson's press secretary. Matheson was traveling Friday and unavailable for comment himself.
Skipping the convention — he did not attend either the 2000 or 2004 National Democratic Conventions — has brought criticism in the past that Matheson, a moderate, is trying to distance himself from the more liberal national party.
Heyrend said, however, "He's already endorsed Sen. Obama for president. At this point, the convention is more of a coronation. The outcome is a foregone conclusion. Back in the spring when it was close, he was planning to go."
Wayne Holland, state Democratic Party chairman and a superdelegate himself, said he is not surprised that Matheson isn't going, and is not disappointed. From a practical point of view, said Holland, Matheson's unused credential can now be given to a spouse or friend of another Utah delegate to get another Democrat into the convention hall.
Matheson "promised that if his (superdelegate) vote was needed, he would be there. It is not needed. This is a coronation convention" where the nominee has already been picked, said Holland. "Jim is not ashamed or trying to distance himself from the Democratic Party. He was at our state and county conventions. At the state convention he got the biggest applause of the day. He's in a GOP district and he needs to work campaigning — and no one outworks Jim Matheson. He works his tail off."
This year, as in the past, Matheson skipping the convention means his vote will not be cast. Regular delegates, if absent, can have alternates cast their vote. But superdelegates cannot have alternates.
Matheson's GOP opponent, former homebuilder Bill Dew, sees nothing wrong with Matheson's absence. "I hear he wants to take his son to his first day of school, and I'm always in favor of putting family first." Dew said he had no comment on whether Matheson doesn't want to associate himself with national Democrats.
Recent comments
I suspect Matheson really does not want to be associated with the...
Eric Peckham | July 28, 2008 at 10:28 a.m.
I am frustrated with Matheson riding the line and not getting any...
goputah | July 27, 2008 at 9:42 p.m.
No "Real" Republican would vote for Matheson. This is...
courthousesnitch | July 25, 2008 at 11:49 p.m.
