When I moved to Utah in 2015, I was quickly impressed with how unconservative our supposedly conservative governor was. Gary Herbert, I quickly realized, was nothing more than a reflection of the average Utah voter; Republican and thoroughly status quou, giving lip service to the Constitution while showing absolutely no comprehension of constitutional principles. For years he has shoved common core down the throats of Utah parents. He supported Ag Gag and the violation of the first amendment that goes by the name of SB 54.
When time for the 2016 election came and I started to investigate the man, my opinion of him as a generally empty-headed but well-intentioned product of Utah culture was shattered. Gary Herbert is no boat adrift on the seas of Utah. He is a man with an agenda. His support for common core went against everything his constituents asked for, but he shoved it down their throats and spoke soothing words before finally, in the midst of an election, making token signs of changing course. Yet, he has accomplished nothing of substance to correct his mistake. He has consistently left the people of Utah unprotected when, as the state's chief executive authority, it is his job to be the state's defender. During relatively bountiful times it is hard to pay attention to how inattentive he has been to our welfare, and his popularity has grown. His popularity has grown so much that even when he was caught on tape comparing himself to Available Jones in his approach to winning campaign donations, the people still loved him, and his popularity hardly wavered.
It is telling, I think, that the Republican delegates have largely rejected the man. Nevertheless he is beloved by the majority.
As I further studied out the 2016 election the next thing that I realized is that the man uses his influence deftly to prop up other like-minded men of questionable principles. He props them up in positions of power all throughout the state. The Attorney General, Sean D. Reyes is just such a man. Originally appointed by Gov. Herbert, Reyes has acted as an employee of the Governor ever since and consistently fails to recognize his duty to serve the people who have since elected him as a guard against the likes of Herbert. Gary Herbert's endorsements and appointments have consistently gone to those who don't demonstrate a strong grasp of constitutional principles, but who demonstrate a very similar knack for ingratiating themselves on the people of Utah.
Sean D. Reyes, in fact, was recently sued over his ties to the Republican Attorneys General Association. The main gist of the complaint was that this organization provided campaign money to his campaign, and in exchange that get to charge lobbying groups for the privilege of meeting with him. Effectively, this is cash for influence. I would go so far as to suggest that anyone recommended by Gov. Herbert should automatically be suspected of being being more interested in selling their influence than defending the people.
This week, then, I find that Gary Harbert has endorsed John Curtis. While the religious zeal that is manifest in the supporters of Gary Herbert is probably a huge asset to John Curtis, for me, it comes as unsurprising confirmation of my earlier analysis.
I will admit that John Curtis has improved his rhetoric regarding his time as a Democrat. However, he still has a long uphill battle to make himself appealing next to Chris Herrod, and for me, Gary Herbert's endorsement only makes him less appealing.
When time for the 2016 election came and I started to investigate the man, my opinion of him as a generally empty-headed but well-intentioned product of Utah culture was shattered. Gary Herbert is no boat adrift on the seas of Utah. He is a man with an agenda. His support for common core went against everything his constituents asked for, but he shoved it down their throats and spoke soothing words before finally, in the midst of an election, making token signs of changing course. Yet, he has accomplished nothing of substance to correct his mistake. He has consistently left the people of Utah unprotected when, as the state's chief executive authority, it is his job to be the state's defender. During relatively bountiful times it is hard to pay attention to how inattentive he has been to our welfare, and his popularity has grown. His popularity has grown so much that even when he was caught on tape comparing himself to Available Jones in his approach to winning campaign donations, the people still loved him, and his popularity hardly wavered.
It is telling, I think, that the Republican delegates have largely rejected the man. Nevertheless he is beloved by the majority.
As I further studied out the 2016 election the next thing that I realized is that the man uses his influence deftly to prop up other like-minded men of questionable principles. He props them up in positions of power all throughout the state. The Attorney General, Sean D. Reyes is just such a man. Originally appointed by Gov. Herbert, Reyes has acted as an employee of the Governor ever since and consistently fails to recognize his duty to serve the people who have since elected him as a guard against the likes of Herbert. Gary Herbert's endorsements and appointments have consistently gone to those who don't demonstrate a strong grasp of constitutional principles, but who demonstrate a very similar knack for ingratiating themselves on the people of Utah.
Sean D. Reyes, in fact, was recently sued over his ties to the Republican Attorneys General Association. The main gist of the complaint was that this organization provided campaign money to his campaign, and in exchange that get to charge lobbying groups for the privilege of meeting with him. Effectively, this is cash for influence. I would go so far as to suggest that anyone recommended by Gov. Herbert should automatically be suspected of being being more interested in selling their influence than defending the people.
This week, then, I find that Gary Harbert has endorsed John Curtis. While the religious zeal that is manifest in the supporters of Gary Herbert is probably a huge asset to John Curtis, for me, it comes as unsurprising confirmation of my earlier analysis.
I will admit that John Curtis has improved his rhetoric regarding his time as a Democrat. However, he still has a long uphill battle to make himself appealing next to Chris Herrod, and for me, Gary Herbert's endorsement only makes him less appealing.
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