Utah's AG Solicits (Tea) Party Network

by Michael Orton
Salt Lake City--

E-subscriber's to Utah's republican party database have received the following from Bob Bennett's primary challenger:

Message from
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff

Dear friend,

The federal government has been spending recklessly and putting our children into debt before they can even vote. On April 15th, I had the great honor of speaking at Salt Lake City's tea party, with Congressmen Chaffetz and Bishop, about the the rightful role of government and our constitution. You can find my remarks here. (ed. note: also Blogspot)

The hundreds of thousands that gathered at tea parties held across the nation mark a resurgence of Reagan conservatism. The success of the events was due to the ability to organize quickly using some of the newest social networking sites; such as facebook and twitter.

These tea parties were not the end of a movement. They are just the beginning. We must continue to stay connected, stay organized, and jointly fight to restore Republican principles to all levels of limited government.

I invite you to sign up for my monthly newsletter (by sending an email here) and to view both my office and campaign websites.

Also please join me as a friend on facebook, linkedin and twitter.
Respectfully,

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff

Thus, one of the reddest of the red states cultivates the electorate. Those who observe the political landscape in Utah will be prompted to note that the senate election in the beehive state may be decided at the party primary, scheduled for September 15. Staff at Senator Bennett's office were not immediately available for comment.

Follow-Up
April 30, 2009

Accessing local media to clarify his decision, Mr. Shurtleff has acknowledged giving his wife a week to talk him out of the decision to challenge Senator Bennett in the primary. Shurtleff indicated that she has taken the effort seriously, downloading the days that the senate is in session and literally puting them "on the table," to illustrate the numerous times that their family would be without him.

Follow-Up
May 12, 2009

It is widely believed that Utah's Attorney General will declare his intention to run for the republican party's nomination for U.S. Senate next week, on May 20.