3rd district race attracting national attention
Pignanelli & Webb
The 3rd Congressional District GOP nomination race was, until now, a pretty typical campaign. But suddenly it is the focus of major national attention. Out of the blue, the race has somehow become laden with national implications and ramifications for the current hot national immigration debate.
National radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are talking about the race. It has been mentioned in newspaper stories around the country. CNN was reported to be planning to send a crew to Utah to do a story on the race — all because of its supposed national implications.
It all started with a Wall Street Journal column by John Fund, who said the race "may set the boundaries for any legislation that has a chance of passing both the House and Senate."
He said "things don't look too good" for five-term incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon, who is being challenged by businessman John Jacob. In the GOP state convention, Jacob ran ahead of Cannon 52-48 percent.
Fund quoted a source as saying House Republicans are spooked, and if one of their own loses, "you will see panic break out."
Hopefully, the shrill and angry national anti-immigration groups will stay out of Utah with their harsh rhetoric and nasty tactics. An attack on Cannon would probably backfire and hurt Jacob. Negative campaigning has historically not worked well in Utah. Both candidates have run radio ads aiming to inoculate themselves against negative campaigning.
I doubt 3rd District voters are going to make their choice based mostly on the immigration issue, despite the national media attention. The race is really about who can best represent constituents, deliver their priorities and push the federal government toward more fiscal responsibility and less interference in our daily lives.
After 10 years in office, is Cannon the best bet to deliver what Utah County voters want, or is it time for someone new?
Pignanelli: National media (i.e. Wall Street Journal, CNN) is focused on Utah's 3rd Congressional District. They believe the upcoming Republican primary (Chris Cannon versus John Jacob) will be a bellwether for 2006 national election trends. It is amusing that Utah County is the basis for predicting similar results in other jurisdictions since, as we all know, Happy Valley is unlike anywhere else in North America (or our galaxy for that matter). Utahns should be grateful for this newfound interest because it serves as a distraction from recent attention on polygamy.
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