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The Deseret Morning News reports that embattled U.S. Congressman Chris Cannon has refused a challenge to let an objective panel of attorneys decide a controversy roiling the Republican primary in Utah's third congressional district.
His opponent, on the other hand, surprising newcomer Matt Throckmorton, told the Salt Lake City paper that he was willing to accept the challenge, which ProjectUSA issued to both campaigns May 21.
The controversy centers on whether Congressman Cannon is telling the truth when he denies he supports amnesty for illegal aliens.
Throckmorton points out that, since Cannon is sponsoring or cosponsoring several amnesty bills in Congress right now, it's hard to swallow the congressman's denials. The congressman argues in response that his amnesty bills aren't really amnesty bills, they are only bringing-illegals-out-of-the-shadows bills.
To settle the question, ProjectUSA offered to provide a panel of attorneys, selected by a respected independent arbitration organization, to read the bills in dispute and issue a professional legal opinion on whether the Cannon bills are amnesties or not.
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Chris Cannon refuses to stand behind his word, dodges ProjectUSA challenge. |
We even offered to sponsor a press event in Salt Lake City -- co-hosted by the local media organizations -- at which the panel's findings would be publicly revealed for the first time. Even ProjectUSA wouldn't know the outcome of the panel's investigation beforehand.
The stakes: Both candidates had to agree to abide by the panel's findings.
As we put it in our original challenge:
"If the panel finds that Congressman Cannon supports amnesties, Chris Cannon will publicly admit that he does indeed support amnesties for illegal aliens and his claims of distortion by his critics were false, and he will issue a public apology to Matt Throckmorton.
"If the panel finds the Congressman does not support amnesties for illegal aliens, Matt Throckmorton will publicly admit that his claims that Congressman Cannon supports amnesties were false, he was distorting his record, and he will issue a public apology to Chris Cannon."
It says a lot that Cannon has run away from our challenge, while Throckmorton has accepted it.
Cannon says he is no fan of amnesty; Opponent says otherwise; group offers to decide (Deseret Morning News)
+== TAKE POSITIVE ACTION ==+
Please take less than a minute forward the Deseret News and CBS News links below to the Republican National Committee in Washington and the Utah state GOP.
In the subject line, put something like "Chris Cannon hurting Republican Party"--or whatever creative deviation from this that you like.
Then, in the body, you might want to say something like:
"Please read about Congressman Chris Cannon's refusal to let an independent panel decide whether he's telling the truth about his support for amnesty for illegal aliens. From my point of view, as long as Republicans continue to countenance irresponsibility and duplicity, you can be sure I will [fill in your own threat as a registered voter].
Also, feel free to call to say the same...and mention the articles.
Chris Cannon won't accept challenge on truth-telling about amnesty
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595066376,00.html
No issue more unpopular with Americans than January's Republican amnesty proposal
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/17/opinion/polls/main593849.shtml
email: RNC GOP
202.863.8500
email: Utah GOP
801.533.9777
+== QUOTE OF THE WEEK ==+
"I would like to assure you that I am opposed to any type of amnesty for illegal immigrants."
Congressman Chris Cannon
+== EMAIL OF THE WEEK ==+
After an earlier request to call the RNC:
I called [RNC Chairman] Ed Gillespie's office, stated the reason for my call and was transferred. A man answered, I gave my name, the state where I live and the reason for my call. I gave the names of the four bills I opposed plus Chris Cannon's name and the name of the lobbyist, Grover Norquist, who have been pushing these illegal aliens and cheap labor visa programs. I said that other Republicans need to wake up and use some common sense, as what they are doing is hurting America and the Republican Party, and that President Bush needs to be advised that if he doesn't change his south-of-the-border policy, he will lose his job.
The man took all of this down and I asked him to repeat it back to me. He then remarked, that of all the calls he and others are getting, this subject is getting more calls than they have ever received. And he would make sure Mr. Gillespie knew about it as the last few days of this week have been heavy on this subject and he thanked me for calling.
Name withheld
Anthem, AZ