Jim Matheson: Congressman of the year

Jim Matheson has voted with the Republicans just about each and every time they have voted on a bill dealing with ObamaCare the last several years, especially the last several months/weeks/days.

Then, he has the nerve to go and blames Republicans for the government shutdown coming tonight.

You know, the same Republicans he keeps voting with.

To Jim Matheson, that's called being a "moderate."

In reality, if Jim Matheson were a "moderate," he would use some of influence and seniority to work on a compromise.  Or at least propose a compromise.  After all, he has more seniority than 73% of Congress.

But that would mean the Congressman would have to work.  And if you measure congressmen by their avoidance of work, Matheson would be Congressman of the year.

This is a man who votes with the same special interests that have tried for a decade to beat him.  He won't hold a town hall meeting to meet with actual constituents.

So, Jim, I'm asking you again: Please, please stand up and propose a fix to this nation's problem.  I might even throw in a campaign contribution.  Heaven knows you need the money, since I've only gotten five emails this week asking for a donation to your campaign.

Of course, one of those five came from your mom, and two more were just "I hope you saw the email from Mom" resendings of the same email.

Hell, even your campaign is too lazy to write new material, just resending the same email a few times.

Maybe you are the Congressman of the Year,

Jim Matheson: It's Official(ly over)

Dear Congressman Matheson:

I received your email today asking me to donate to your campaign, since Mia Love just announced she is going to run against you again next year.

With all due respect, Congressman, I'm starting to think that maybe having Mia be our congresswoman wouldn't be so bad, because on my number one issue, you and Mia have the exact same opinion.

On Thursday, you sent me an email saying that you once again voted for the repeal of ObamaCare.  In fact, you said that you have always voted for the repeal of ObamaCare.  You said that ObamaCare is a flawed bill.

On that, I agree.  However, ObamaCare is an improvement over what we would have if the numerous attempts to repeal the bill were successful.

Furthermore, YOU have the ability to fix ObamaCare.  So far, I have seen exactly ZERO proposals from you to fix ObamaCare.  Well, other than just repeal.

Yes, you are only one of 435 Congressmen.  However, one of the glories of Congress is that ANY Congressman can propose a bill.

Yet, you don't.

You have seniority.  You've been in Congress since 2001.  That's longer than any other current Representative from Utah.  In fact, only 119 Congresspeople have been there longer than you.  That means you have more seniority than 73% of Congress.

So, where's your proposal?  How are you going to fix the problem?

Congressman Matheson, I want to like you.  I'm a moderate Democrat.  I voted for you in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.  In fact, in 2010, I voted for you 3 times -- at convention, in a primary, and in the general election.  In 2012, I was redistricted out of your district, but I told every friend I could that lived in your district why they should vote for you instead of Mia Love.  My voting for you predates my being a Democrat.  I've thrown money your way several times.  I've defended you.  I've overlooked some of your other votes.  I've overlooked your refusal to hold real town halls and talk to your constituents.

But, that's over.  Until you step up, show some leadership, and propose a solution, we're officially over.  No money, no volunteering, no defending you to my more liberal (or conservative) friends.

In fact, when friends in the Fourth District ask me if they should vote for in next year's congressional race, my answer will be simple:

It doesn't really matter, because my health and well being doesn't really matter to either candidate.

-Bob

Jim Matheson and the Carlos Boozer Tax Cut

Jim Matheson favors extending this guy's tax cut:



And is willing to have your taxes go up if he doesn't get it.

Yes, Jim, that's exactly what Utahns want.

Really, what the crap? Are you really that scared of Morgan Philpot?



Keep it up, Congressman, and nobody will vote for you.

Matheson on Downwinders

Dear Bob,
Since I was first elected to Congress, I have been fighting to hold the federal government accountable for the harm done to Utahns from exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear testing.
From 1951 until 1992, the U.S. government conducted over 900 nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Of the 100 above ground tests, nearly one fourth were bigger than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. At one time we thought only rural populations in the West were at risk. Recent information proves otherwise. The lone comprehensive study we have completed, of one radioactive isotope (Iodine 131), showed concentrations in every county across America. Evidence compiled over the last 13 years points to the likelihood that there are even more victims in Utah and other states than are already acknowledged under current law.
Now is the time for Congress to take a serious look at expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) - first passed in 1990 and amended in 2000. Along with New Mexico Senator Tom Udall and Congressman Ben Lujan, I have sponsored the bipartisan RECA Amendments Act of 2010, HR 5119.
Under the current law, residents of only 10 Utah counties (who suffer from 18 types of radiation-associated cancer) are eligible to apply for payments. I hear many stories similar to one I heard recently from a man whose wife spent a lengthy period of time as a child just four miles beyond the Sevier County line--one of the "designated affected areas" and whose compensation claim was denied. Also, it adds renal cancer or any other chronic renal disease to the list of compensable diseases for employees of mines and mills.
I am pushing for a Congressional hearing on this issue to draw attention to new information and to raise awareness. If government deception has endangered people's health, we must shine a light on what really happened and expose the truth.

Sincerely,

U.S. Representative
2nd District of Utah

Some (Controversial) Thoughts on Operation Chaos

A number of years ago, I got accused of voter fraud.

The accusation stemmed from the fact that I changed my party registration to Republican so I could vote in a Republican primary, then switching it back to unaffiliated.

Which is perfectly legal. I know I'm not the only one who does it.

I always vote for the best candidate. Mostly because I know that there is a chance that the candidate will be the next office holder.

And every election year, we hear Republicans complain that Democrats are voting for the worst candidate. And that may be true in some instances.

However, I have never heard a message to vote for a Republican candidate come from Democratic Party Leadership, Legislators, or especially from candidates who want to run the elections division for 50% of Utah Residents.

My name is Jeremy Votaw. I'm running for Salt Lake County Clerk and I endorse Operation Chaos.

I have no problems with Republicans voting for Claudia Wright, because the conventional wisdom is that voting for Claudia is going to be like voting for Morgan Philpot in November. I do have a problem with it becoming a part of the campaign strategy for the Utah GOP.

You have your own primary to decide. And by endorsing Operation Chaos, you are saying you don't care who wins that primary. Which is a shame, because there are several differences between the two candidates.

And a warning to Republicans pondering participating in Operation Chaos: if there is a skeleton in Morgan Philpot's closet (Nancy Workman, Sheldon Killpack, Kevin Garn), then you may just wind up with Representative Wright.

And that's something you really don't want to see.

Blue Dogs Looking to Close Tax Loopholes

Deseret News:

WASHINGTON — Moderate "Blue Dog" Democrats, co-chaired by Rep. Jim Matheson, want Congress to prepare an annual report that would help identify loopholes in tax laws and figure how much each of them costs the country every year.

"The American people deserve to have a clear idea of where their money is going," said Matheson, D-Utah, as the bill was introduced.

Blue Dog Scott Murphy, D-N.Y., introduced the legislation that would have the Joint Committee on Taxation prepare a report every year analyzing each provision of the tax code, including the cost of specific credits, deductions, exemptions and exclusions. Blue dogs estimate the figure at $1 trillion a year overall.

"After spending my career running small businesses, I know the importance of examining every dollar spent," Murphy said. "That's how government should operate, too."

He added, "This bill will help to shed light on wasteful loopholes and special deals hidden in the tax code."

"We simply cannot continue to allow government spending, regardless of how it occurs, to go unchecked," Matheson said.

The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition has 54 members and has a stated goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives — the moderate middle between liberals and conservatives. Matheson is the coalition's co-chairman for communications.

Matheson Holding Open House on Wilderness Bill

From the email box:

I am hosting an open house Monday, May 17th, to provide information and to answer questions about HR 5009--the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act. I recently introduced this legislation in the House, after a nearly two-year process meeting with stakeholders. The bill seeks to strengthen protection for our drinking water supply source--the Wasatch canyons-- while enhancing recreation there.
As part of the process, I promised to hold a public meeting so anyone who is interested could come and view the maps, read the bill and ask questions or raise concerns. I am pleased that Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon have agreed to join me at the open house. We will have information stations that include maps and staff who are familiar with all aspects of the bill.
The open house will be held at Skyline High School Cafeteria, 3251 East 3760 South, in Salt Lake. The time is Monday evening, May 17th, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, check my website for more details.

Matheson Needs To Campaign

And I mean REALLY campaign.

From Warchol:

Will Jim actually start talking to his constituents in the run-up to the primary? Answering their questions? Letting them vent all over him about health care?
Or will he just power up his well-funded media machine and carpet bomb the state with advertising?

One of the major annoyances Matheson's Democratic base had with him — besides some trivialities like voting against health-care reform — is that he he seems to loathe face-to-face, town-halls, and other flesh-pressing, personal-touch stuff. Remember the infamously arrogant robo-call? In short, he blew off The People.

[...]

But if it was a strategic decision to dodge the hard questions from Utah Democrats he thought were in his pocket — it's time for some new advisors.

Conventional wisdom holds that Jim should win the primary. However, Chris Cannon thought the same thing two years ago, and that left us with Congressman Chaffetz.

Add to it some crossover from the Republicans voting for Wright, and it's going to be an uphill battle.

And, the portion of Matheson's web site where you sign up to volunteer has enough issues to make me wonder if they know how to campaign, or if they are just going to go through the motions:



Do you use past tense or present tense on volunteer forms? I don't know....use both of them!

Wright Claims She's More Moderate than Matheson: WTF?

St George Spectrum:

Hoping to wrest the Democratic nomination to represent Utah's 2nd District from Rep. Jim Matheson, Claudia Wright made her first campaign stop in Southern Utah Sunday in search of support and delegates.

"The (Democratic) party will tell you I'm not electable because I'm a progressive," the associate instructor at the University of Utah told an audience at the Painted Pony restaurant. "But I'm closer to a moderate than Matheson."

Her supporters claim that Matheson only votes with the Democrats 40% of the time on "key issues." (Overall Matheson votes with the Democrats 92% of the time, but for kicks and giggles we'll use the 40% number.)

The more moderate candidate would be the candidate closest to 50% (half the time voting with Democrats, half the time voting with Republicans). So, unless she plans to vote with Republicans 41-59% of the time on "key issues," I just don't buy her claim.

Besides, take a look at her web site, there's not a moderate or conservative thing on there.

Speaking to your audience does not mean being dishonest with them. It makes you no better than other politicians.

And that's why it's getting harder and harder to support you.

-Bob

Delegate Email: Peter Corroon Endorses Jim Matheson

April 20, 2010
Dear Utah Democratic Delegate:
Our party has a lot on the line this year. We need to build on the progress our candidates have made at the local and county level by returning Jim Matheson to Congress, supporting our Democratic legislative candidates, keeping our Salt Lake County Council majority and taking back the Utah governor’s office.
Ever since Jim Matheson was first elected, he has been an asset to our state and a champion for our values. Just to name a few of Jim’s accomplishments:
• Jim has blocked the development and testing of new nuclear weapons.
• Jim forced the Department of Energy to safely clean up the radioactive waste on the banks of the Colorado River.
• Jim stood up to EnergySolutions bringing in the world’s nuclear garbage.
• Jim backed fair wage and labor standards.
• Jim has fought against poverty.
• Jim has helped expand mass transit to clean the air.
Over the past 10 years, Jim Matheson has done more for our party than simply win his Congressional races. He has put money into party organization. His field planning and get-out-the-vote efforts have bolstered Democratic candidates throughout the 2nd CD. And he has persuaded key independent and moderate Republican voters to abandon straight-party ticket voting in favor of crossing over to support Democrats.
I urge you to stand with me in support of Jim Matheson at the State Convention on May 8th. This is about representing Utah values and furthering the progress we have made as Democrats in a place where Republicans have called the shots for way too long.
Let’s unite behind Jim Matheson and give every Utah Democrat the best possible chance to win in November.
Sincerely,
Peter Corroon

Delegate Email From Jim Matheson

Dear Friend,

The Wasatch Front Canyons are the stunning backdrop to our capital city. They are also the source of clean drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Salt Lake Valley residents, as well as a beautiful playground for millions of residents and visitors.

Ever since the Mormon pioneers camped by the mouth of City Creek in 1847, our prosperity and our quality of life has been linked to the abundant, clean water flowing from these canyons. Protecting that watershed and conserving the natural beauty is the goal behind federal legislation I will introduce.

The Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act is the culmination of months of stakeholder meetings. Diverse groups such as the Salt Lake City Water Department, Snowbird Ski Resort, Save our Canyons, mountain-bikers and outdoor businesses collaborated on the issues that needed to be resolved. Compromise meant that no one group received everything it wanted but everyone agrees on the ultimate goal: protect the watershed and preserve the outdoor experience.

My legislation designates over 26,000 acres of wilderness and special management area protection on Grandeur Peak, Mt Olympus, Twin Peaks and Lone Peaks. A new wilderness area—7,759 acres that includes the north drainage of Mill Creek Canyon and the southern drainage of Parley’s Canyon—will be named after the late 2nd District Congressman Wayne Owens. It is a fitting tribute in honor of his tireless advocacy on behalf of Utah public lands.

Utahns see these canyons as their beautiful backyard—a place to get away outdoors and to enjoy some ‘down’ time with their families. Many happy memories that include picnics, hiking, snowshoeing, rock-climbing or just relaxing have taken place there.

You can read more about the legislation in this news report. Please contact me and let me know what you think about efforts to expand wilderness and protect our drinking water.

Matheson: Health Care Reform Needs More Work

Editorial from Congressman Jim Matheson, printed in the Salt Lake Tribune April 4, 2010:

During my time in Congress, there may have been only a handful of issues that have captured people's attention and generated as much passionate debate as health care. For the last year, our country has been engaged in an intense conversation about how important health care reform is and about how important it is to get it right.
I certainly respect the passion that is out there, and the emotion around the health care issue. It affects everyone so personally, including me. Now, after so much debate, a new health care policy has been signed into law. The emotions remain and I hold out great hope that more work can be done on reform.
Ever-rising costs and growing ranks of the uninsured illustrate why health care reform is needed.
There are policies in the new law we all embrace. Now, in our country, people will not be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. That is a blessing to so many. Now, in our country, more children and young adults will have coverage. For so many families, that will mean peace of mind.
However I want to be clear about a critically important goal that still remains. After all the wrangling, the new law is too expensive, contains too many special deals, does not do enough to contain health care costs and -- according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Actuary -- will result in increases in health insurance premiums for many Utahns. For those reasons and others, I could not support the bill.
Controlling rising health care costs, increasing quality and value and improving access to health care and to affordable health insurance coverage are critically important to me. But the wrong kind of reform -- which increases health care costs for individuals and for large and small employers -- does not accomplish those goals.
I rolled up my sleeves during this debate. I spent hours in health care hearings. I have met with White House officials and congressional leadership for hours to work toward language that would not just lower the growth of costs, but drive down costs to consumers. I have talked with thousands of Utahns about health care reform in general and this legislation in particular and in important areas it falls short. It does not come close to eliminating Medicare's long-term budget deficit.
Special deals benefiting Louisiana, Tennessee, Connecticut and Montana were left in the bill, benefits that were not extended to other states. The pilot programs for medical malpractice reform don't help doctors who are forced to practice defensive medicine, nor patients who are trapped in a dysfunctional system where 54 cents of every malpractice awarded dollar go to pay legal fees. The bloat and waste contributing to the fact that we spend 50 percent more on health care than the next industrialized country -- while our medical outcomes are merely average -- isn't addressed.
You might think these concerns are too pessimistic, until you look at what has already happened in the case of one state that opted to implement increased coverage without implementing reforms to rein in the high cost of health care.
It has been three and a half years since Massachusetts enacted bipartisan legislation to provide health care coverage to nearly all state residents. It imposed an individual mandate for the purchase of health insurance.
Since its inception, 430,000 people have gained coverage -- a good thing. However, Massachusetts did not enact reforms to address rising health care costs.
Since then, the demand for care -- particularly in medically underserved communities -- has increased. But escalating health care costs are already preventing some newly-insured residents from getting care. In fact, one in five residents went without needed care in the past year because of cost. People with disabilities and those in poor health experienced the greatest barriers. Also, Massachusetts now suffers from some of the worst primary care wait times in the country, despite having the highest concentration of doctors nationwide.
One state health plan and its hospital -- Cambridge Hospital -- had some HIV and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients experience an interruption in their care because they couldn't afford increased co-payments. In Massachusetts, growth in health care costs has compromised the effort to provide health insurance coverage.
While it is important that a means be found to enable everyone (including those who are currently uninsured) to be able to afford health insurance, achieving that goal cannot occur at the expense of people who are presently insured. The challenge of reforming our health care system -- especially cost containment -- still confronts us.
The passion around this debate is important. We need robust debate to make good policy and I embrace those difficult conversations. A year of debate is a long time, but there is a decade of work ahead to move this policy to a place where it can meet the ultimate goal of increasing coverage and lowering costs to Americans.

Matheson: Hard To Argue With 64% Approval

Basically, I'm link dumping here, but Jim Matheson has the highest approval rating of any of our congresscritters:

Name Approve Disapprove Don't know
President Barack Obama 30% 69% 1%
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 21% 72% 7%
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid 25% 55% 20%
Senator Orrin Hatch 64% 30% 6%
Senator Bob Bennett 54% 37% 9%
Congressman Rob Bishop 48% 18% 34%
Congressman Jim Matheson 64% 27% 9%
Congressman Jason Chaffetz 55% 21% 24%
Source: Dan Jones Poll for KSL/Deseret News Margin of error: +/- 6.5%

The poll also asked about aspects of the health care bill:

Reform Agree Disagree Don't know
Pre-existing conditions covered 76% 22% 2%
Coverage for 36 million uninsured 49% 48% 3%
Americans required to have insurance 42% 57% 1%
Exchange to shop and compare policies 77% 21% 2%
Reduce out-of-pocket prescription costs 73% 23% 4%
Source: Dan Jones Poll for KSL/Deseret News Margin of error: +/- 6.5%

Overall Congressional Democrats' Health Insurance Reform Plan
Favor Oppose Don't know
30% 67% 3%
Source: Dan Jones Poll for KSL/Deseret News Margin of error: +/- 6.5%

Why I asked Jim Matheson to vote AGAINST health care

Yes, I still support health care reform. However, this does nothing to help the situation of many who do not have health care.

Instead, it mandates that we buy health insurance, at the price the insurance companies want to charge. And, since they know we have to buy it, they will charge whatever they want.

This is a bad bill that does more harm than good. It's time to start over, get a good bill, with a public option.

Of Popularity and Polls

From Utah Policy:

Atty. Gen. Mark Shurtleff has an approval rating of 63%, the second highest rating among Utah's top politicians, only behind Congressman Jim Matheson at 71%....

After Shurtleff comes Sen. Orrin Hatch, 62%; Sen. Bob Bennett, 58%; Gov. Gary Herbert, 57%; SL County Mayor Peter Corroon, 45%; Congressman Jason Chaffetz, 41%; and Congressman Rob Bishop, 39%. Those statewide numbers are the results of a survey conducted by Dan Jones & Associates Jan. 8-11, with a 600 sample and a possible 4% error margin, plus or minus.

Ah! Panic! Corroon only has 45% approval Numbers, right?

Well, these are statewide numbers. Corroon's numbers actually look pretty good:

Corroon, who is running for governor, has a relatively low favorability rating at 45% statewide, but he also has the lowest unfavorable rating of all politicians, at only 12%, and a whopping 40% have no opinion or haven't heard of him. So those who have a locked-in opinion about him are overwhelmingly positive. In his home stomping grounds of Salt Lake County he has a very healthy 67% favorability rating.

LaVarr Webb, who wrote the piece, doesn't say what Governor Herbert's disapproval numbers are. I'd be interested to see that.

-Bob

Matheson Battling Carbon Monoxide

From an email:

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Exposure to the colorless, odorless gas can result from several sources, including malfunctioning furnaces, water heaters, stoves and portable generators used indoors. This story from a Utah newspaper about an alarming incident highlights the danger.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings occur everywhere across the U.S. from cold weather states in which furnaces frequently run, to hurricane-prone areas in which residents lose electricity and use portable generators inside.

The safest known way to detect carbon monoxide is to install a working CO alarm. Fire safety experts such as the National Fire Protection Association recommend placing CO alarms on each floor of your home and near sleeping areas.

To help protect families from this silent killer, 19 states (including Utah) have passed laws requiring CO alarms in certain residences. Currently residential CO alarms may comply with a voluntary standard, known as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 and most states with CO alarm laws require that the devices meet this standard.

I believe we can do a better job preventing CO poisoning. That is why I have introduced legislation that would expand the level of protection. My bill creates a mandatory production standard for these life-saving devices. It would also set up a grant program to assist states that pass residential CO alarm requirements. The Consumer Product Safety Commission would oversee the grant program, with priority given to states that have greater than average fatalities from carbon monoxide. My legislation is supported by child safety advocates, business and retail groups.

We know that nearly all carbon monoxide poisonings can be prevented by simply placing CO detectors in the home. Saving lives is what this bill is designed to do.

UT-02: Four, Maybe a Fifth Candidate?

Jim Matheson is facing some competition next year.

I talked about Dave Glissmeyer last week.

Now, we have Ryan Kelly running as an independent as well. From his Web Site:

We the people have a duty to our country to defend our liberty and our right to choose what is best for ourselves. This is why I seek to be elected to our Federal government. I feel that few in our government now are willing to defend our rights as they should. They have stopped listening to us, and rather than use our power to vote to remove these people from office, almost half of us stay at home and let them do things for us. America needs a Congress that remembers they are chosen by the people to represent them to the rest of the nation. America needs people who remember that when government fails in its duty to represent the will of the people, we must use the power of the vote to replace those elected with people who will do as we ask them.

And, on the Republican side, Casey Anderson has been running for several months now. From his web site:

Two years ago - after seeing the national debt nearly double in only two terms, the continued foreign policy of entangling alliances and interventionist foreign policy, as well as the continued erosion of civil liberties at home, Casey decided it was time to get active in politics before it was too late. He was elected by his neighbors to be a County Delegate and State Delegate for the Utah Republican party and more recently he was elected to represent his county as a member of the State Central Committee, which is the primary governing body of the state party. He is currently working to get liberty-minded individuals elected in various offices throughout the state.

And Joe over at Sausage Grinder posted this morning that former Republican legislator Morgan Philpot is considering a run as well.

Things are getting interesting.....

-Bob

Challenger #1 for Matheson

Tribune:

Dave Glissmeyer, a reform-minded independent with homes in Salt Lake City and St. George, has filed to run against Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson for Utah's 2nd Congressional seat.

"People do a lot of complaining about government doing too much or not enough," Glissmeyer told The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday. "But the problem seems to be that there's a great unserved mass in the middle that doesn't want to follow a particular label."

"Party politics can take you down a road that may not make the best sense," said the 57-year-old retired businessman.

In 1984 Glissmeyer launched ProTel NetWorks, a Utah business still in operation. He vows to fuel his campaign from individual donations only and has committed $25,000 of his own cash to seed the effort.

Glissmeyer supports ethics reform, citing history as proof that "elected officials cannot be trusted to regulate or police themselves."

He also pledges to scrutinize the so-called war on drugs for better ways to "quell the violence and crime" that stem from illegal narcotics.

He also believes in a balanced budget and that America's two wars should end in a quick and orderly fashion.

In addition, he recommends fining employers who hire undocumented immigrants, and shutting down low-priority military bases to redirect tax dollars to secure the country's Southern border.

Glissmeyer is the first to enter the race against Matheson, a centrist Democrat who enjoys high approval ratings in a sprawling, largely Republican district.

Check out this week's City Weekly

I haven't gotten a chance to grab one yet (it's hitting newsstands as I type), but I go quoted in this week's City Weekly:

Democratic Party delegate Bob Aagard, of Holladay, thinks a liberal primary challenger for Matheson would be good for the party because it would force Matheson to tiptoe to the left to win in the primary. But he also thinks it would be good for Matheson in a general election because he could deflect criticism that he shares the same liberal beliefs as a certain Democrat from San Francisco.

“It will help him because the Republicans always say that Jim Matheson equals [Speaker of the House] Nancy Pelosi,” Aagard says. “[A liberal challenger] gives Matheson the opportunity to say, 'Hey, look, this guy is a Nancy Pelosi Democrat. I'm not.'”

Thanks to reporter Jesse Fruhwirth for making me out to not sound too stupid or crazy.

Why Pete Ashdown isn't running for Matheson's Seat

Last Spring, when Jon Huntsman was nominated to be the Ambassador to China, and Jim Matheson was non-committal with whether or not he would run for Governor in 2010, I made a list of people who could run for Jim's seat. It was basically a list of every Democrat I knew, and some pros and cons to their running.

It's a list that has come in handy as of late.

So, it's interesting to see one of the people on the list talk about why he isn't running against Matheson in 2010:

1. A Democrat who is more to the left than Jim Matheson could probably easily win a primary, maybe even settle this in convention, but in the end would lose the general election. I can think of no other county that exemplifies this more than Carbon County. This was traditionally a Democratic stronghold in Utah, but has gone Republican over the past decade. In 2006, Jim Matheson received 3,658 votes in Carbon County. In spite of canvassing Carbon County extensively and knocking on a few thousand doors, I received 2,255 votes. Conversely, Orrin Hatch rarely visits and received 2,408. I don’t see how deposing Jim Matheson would endear me to 1400+ people who otherwise voted for Senator Hatch.
2. I don’t live in the 2nd Congressional District. There is is nothing legally preventing me from running to represent a district I don’t live in. Thanks to the Utah Legislature, I can cross all three of Utah’s congressional districts on my morning run, because I live in Salt Lake City. Representative Jason Chaffetz was able to oust Chris Cannon on the Republican side without living in the 3rd district. However for a Democrat, this would be fuel on the fire for the GOP challenger living in the district.
3. In spite of Matheson’s votes, he is still warming a seat on the Democratic side of the aisle. 2010 is going to be Republicans trying to capitalize against President Obama’s agenda. Although I haven’t ruled out running in 2010, I don’t want to be contributing to the inevitable losses the Democratic party is going to face. If I was running instead of Matheson, the national GOP would pour resources into the race not because they care about Utah, but because they want their majority back.
4. In 2006, the Deseret News ran a poll on favorability ratings of Utah politicians. Matheson came out #1, higher than then Governor Jon Huntsman. Having him in office is a good thing for other Utah Democrats trying to get elected.
5. The Matheson family remains committed to Democratic causes and candidates here in Utah. I want to receive their help rather than their scorn when I run again.