Thread: Cannon-Jacob rivalry seen as GOP bellwether

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0%2C1249 ... %2C00.html

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Cannon-Jacob rivalry seen as GOP bellwether

Utah race is drawing national media attention

By Tad Walch
Deseret Morning News

PROVO — A CNN news crew will film today's debate between Chris Cannon and John Jacob at Utah Valley State College as the international news organization prepares to explore America's illegal-immigration debate through the Republican primary in Utah's 3rd Congressional District.

Jacob had planned to take a day off from the campaign trail on Friday but instead chose to hold a press conference to address the national attention the race has received, including comments from conservative radio megastars Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Jacob said a reporter for Congressional Quarterly told him this week that single-issue candidates never get elected, and Jacob argued Friday the race is about more than illegal immigration.

"There's no question (the national attention on immigration) helps me, and for the nation it's a one-issue race," Jacob said. "But for Utahns, there are many issues."

He listed education, energy, the Second Amendment and fighting pornography as issues that interest 3rd District voters, based on poll results, but illegal immigration led the list — with 25 percent saying it is the most important issue. And Jacob acknowledged the possible national fallout should he upset Cannon in the June 27 primary.

"There's no question this is bigger than Chris Cannon and John Jacob," Jacob said. "This race could go a long way toward determining whether we have illegal immigration and amnesty or whether we'll send (illegal immigrants) back or invite them to go back and secure our borders."

The debate begins at 1 p.m. in the ballroom at UVSC's Sorensen Student Center, part of a voter expo open to the public from 12:30 to 5 p.m. with appearances by candidates in five primary races.

"Our events bring the one-stop shopping concept to voter-education," said Orem resident Jessica Connors, who is helping organize the expo for the non-partisan group Citizens' Resource. "The general public is encouraged to come meet the candidates personally, hear them debate the issues with their opponents and come away reasonably informed in a single afternoon."

Veteran CNN political reporter Candy Crowley flew to Utah on Friday and she and her crew will film the debate.

Both Cannon, a five-term incumbent, and Jacob consider themselves strong on borders, but Jacob and national immigration restriction groups have attacked Cannon for promoting guest-worker program legislation that would allow many illegal immigrants to work toward visas and possibly citizenship.

Cannon says his position is conservative because it addresses the needs of businesses and provides pragmatic answers to complex questions about securing America's borders and registering illegal immigrants. With Utah's unemployment rate hovering at 3 percent to 4 percent, he said a loss of a large number of workers in low-paying, unattractive jobs could cripple some companies.

Many see this Utah Republican primary as a canary in the coal mine for fall Congressional elections in which immigration will be a key issue as Democrats attempt to regain 15 seats from Republican and retake control of the House of Representatives.

"Actually, there's no question that's true," Jacob said. "Right now, if I get elected a lot of people will realize a guest-worker program is unacceptable."

In fact, some are aiming at Cannon, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Bay Buchanan, hoping a primary loss by a conservative in a conservative district might scare other congressmen out of supporting guest-worker legislation pushed by President Bush, Newt Gingrich and conservative Christian leader Gary Bauer. Buchanan is the founding chairman of the Team America political action committee run by anti-immigration Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

"So how do we stop the Congress from folding under the enormous pressure and agreeing to some guest-worker provision? First I propose we try to defeat Congressman Chris Cannon, an open-border Republican from Utah," Buchanan said earlier this week. "Defeating Cannon will send shock waves through Congress. Every one of those lawmakers will understand the message — 'back down from your no-amnesty position and pay the price in November.' ... So that is the immediate plan — target Cannon."

Cannon maintains he is for strong border control. His radio ads stress that he has voted for stricter screening at entry points, increased border surveillance and more border patrol agents. He also would require all immigrants to carry a tamper-proof ID card or face deportation.

The two millionaires have poured money into the race. Until recent small donations began to come in after comments by Limbaugh and Hannity, Jacob had provided nearly all of his own campaign funds. Cannon added $100,000 of his own money on Tuesday and raised another $100,000 at a Washington, D.C, fund-raiser on Wednesday, his campaign manager, Nathan Rathbun, said.

Jacob said Friday his campaign has prepared TV ads but hasn't decided whether they'll be used.

"That's very expensive," he said. "We have them ready, but we'll see if we need them at the end or not."


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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com

We gotta win this race folks.... This one is getting all the attention we need to prove to other candidates that a vote for amnesty will put you in the unemployment line.

I sent a donation to the John Jacob campaign and today I received a hand written thank you note from Mr. Jacobs wife. I thought it was very nice.
I wish him well. A win here will be great for our cause.

I sent one two weeks ago and received an e mail response that did not seem to be a "canned" one as most of our leadership send. In-fact, I've sent many to George Bush and received a reply like six months ago..... but now they don't bother. Don't think anyone in the administration can speak english XD

Let's put everything we have to support Jacobs...... this race will send a message to all of our leaders that no more good boy politics. You deliver what Americans want, or your out of there.

Unfortunately I have to admit I had sent a donation to the Bush campaign a few years ago too. The only thing they ever did was ask me for more. In fact they(RNC) continue to ask. Now I print out copies of those bush gringo bucks and tuck them inside the postage paid envelope and send it in!

Now I print out copies of those bush gringo bucks and tuck them inside the postage paid envelope and send it in.

31scout
That is too funny ! What are you talking about though? I might have to do the same thing!!

I contributed to the DNC and to John Kerry. I think I'm going to check my credit card statements and request my money back; using fraud, misrepresentation as my reason. Darn, I wish it wasn't too late to do a credit card reversal on those charges, lol.

That would get their attention .

Azmomof2,
Have you seen them? They are a Mexican 20 peso note with bush's picture put on them with some good comments. They are so funny! If you haven't seen them, I can e-mail you the file. I'm usually laughing while I'm sealing the envelope. The RNC probably sends me a request every 3 weeks or so. I'd love to see the look on their faces when they open those envelopes!

31 scout-

Yeah, plz send those to me!!! I sent you a personal message with my email address. I look forward to getting the file!!! Thanks!!! We should all start sending this type of money instead of real cash. Maybe they would get the hint when it hits them where it counts -- their pocket books.

I made a donation and received a nice thank you from Mrs. Jacob.
I'll never donate to the Republican party again, but just to those candidates who I can trust to represent American citizens instead of foreign invaders.