Senator Bob Bennett fails Utah re-election bid
Posted by ashertrix , Saturday, May 8, 2010 8:46 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Bob Bennett, a conservative Republican, failed in his bid for re-election in a state convention as a groundswell of discontent with politics in Washington claimed its latest victim.
Businessman Tim Bridgewater and upstart attorney and Tea Party-backed Mike Lee, claimed first and second place, respectively, in the second round of voting in the party poll, CNN said.
Bennett fell victim to his state party’s odd convention system, in which only the top two vote-getters get spots on the primary ballot. Bennett may mount a write-in campaign, but if this long-shot effort fails, his departure would be a loss for the Senate.
During his three terms, Bennett did not deviate from his conservative principles. He is not Utah’s version of Joe Lieberman, out of step with his party. He is Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s trusted lieutenant. But Bennett is a serious man who wants to work on serious issues -- and in doing so, he found ways to work across the aisle. The health-care measure he crafted with Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden was the most prominent example, and one factor in his ouster.
Bennett is no squishy moderate. Dick Cheney endorsed his reelection. Newt Gingrich campaigned for him. National Journal’s most recent voting ratings had him as the 23rd most conservative senator -- compared to fellow Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch at number 30.
But Bennett’s brand of conservatism was not pure enough for the Tea Party wing of his party. He committed sins such as voting for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. He was, horror of horrors, an appropriator -- meaning that he helped to bring money to his state. The conservative Club for Growth spent more than $200,000 to oust him.
The most disturbing aspect of Bennett’s defeat is the chastening effect it is likely to have on nervous GOP lawmakers. They are already hardly profiles in courage -- just take a look at the campaign positions adopted by ex-maverick John McCain, facing a primary challenge in Arizona from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth. Seeing Bennett’s scalp is not apt to strengthen their spines.
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