Utah October Surprise

[kaktas55]

I do not live in Rep. Hughes district but I agree that this is not only the lowest a person or party can sink it is what gives politics a bad name. From all I have read and know Rep. Hughes is a hard working fair and honest person and for a party and special interest groups like the Teachers Unions to lie about a person's character to win an election is as low as a person can go. We deserve better in Utah. Rep. Hughes serves us and now those in his district need to show they care!!!

[ravenhawke01]

GO GREG!!

[aaths]

Greg, I hope the voters see this for what it is. A desperate ploy by a desperate party and candidate. I hope you win on tues.

[cowboy668]

GO GREG!! I don't live in your district but hate dirty tactics.

This one smelled dirty from the beginning. Its one of those cases where you were "chosen" for a last minute smear campaign.

If it works on you, expect to see it elsewhere. I suspect you were chosen for your politics.

[EdyKelDev]

This is done by both sides. They're both just as bad as the other.

[LeeH37]

There are only two people who know the TRUTH in THIS situation - Susan Lawrence and Greg Hughes. For everyone else it is pure speculation. And that includes those that made this video and the comments made here - pure speculation.

[AnacondaTwelve]

Here are the facts.

1. The accusers could not back up their claims against Hughes.

2. We live in America.

3. In America, we are innocent until proven guilty.

4. Hughes is not guilty.

5. Rob Miller is not telling the truth.

[salequeen]

I am astounded at what lengths the Dems will go to in an attempt to steal an election!  The really awful tactics used in this case are not only disgusting but degrading to our political process. What happened to being strait forward, win on your own merits and fight the good fight? Not to mention the rediculous ad that is currently running suggesting that the Republicans in the Legislature are the evil ones taking gifts, I seem to remember that the top "gift takers" on the report are Dems!!!

[wowseydoo]

In addition, this video participant Stan Lockhart, Head of Utah GOP, has been involved in his own shading dealings...

Using state funds (via friend Sen. Curtis Bramble and wife Rep. Becky Lockhart) to fund a republican float. Vacations with above friends and family on taxpayers dollars. And he has his own special style of bullying. Their time is up and they know it...check out the desperation in their eyes when you watch the video again.

[wowseydoo]

Although the bipartisan committee determined none of the six charges against Hughes were proved by "clear and convincing" evidence, they also chose to send a letter critical of Hughes' behavior to the House. The letter stated, "We do find that some of Representative Hughes' conduct as presented to us during this inquiry was unbecoming" a House member and requested that Hughes "take steps to change his behavior and to make appropriate apologies to those who may have been affected." - Deseret News

[draperdad]

We never stopped supporting Greg Hughes! We knew there was NO MERIT to any of the democrat lies and deceit! Greg has done incredible things for draper and for utah. Look at all the money he has fought for education and utah teachers. He stands for CONSERVATIVE VALUES not liberal socialism. He fights to keep taxes low. I'm voting for Greg Hughes and I'm voting REPUBLICAN!!

[kenkodey]

GREG/STAN: Face the music, dudes!!! Welcome to politics. I can document cases of the Utah Party setting up stings yourselves. James Evans is notorious for unethical and unsubstantiated scheming. You have suppressed and gagged-ordered Mike Ridgway that I feel is against his constitutional rights to free speech, because it doesn't conveniently fit the "party agenda". We are all scared of the Palin nomination nationally, and I think it is setting the Utah party's teeth on edge. RA RA RESIEN!

[utube1167]

Put down the cool-aid cup and just walk away. You are really showing your sub-par IQ.

[kenkodey]

OOOO....great rebuttal, guy....If you have something to contribute, at least try to post it with some intelligence.

[aaths]

It's obvious that the charges against Hughes were a joke. Dems will do anything to win.

[demorra]

This video never actually refutes the charges against State Senator Hughes.

I do not know the truth of the charges; but, whenever such charges are made, they need to be effectively investigated by an independent body which will follow the evidence without regard to party affiliation.

[draperdad]

demorra--good news! a bipartisan commitee did hear the charges and found "no merit" in the accusations and dropped all charges against Greg Hughes. I guess the makers of the video assumed you heard the news...but the truth is that Greg is not guilty and the october surprise was just dirty politics!

[demorra]

The video is an "ad hominem" argument which is fallacious.

I do not trust charges made against either Republicans or Democrats at this juncture in a political campaign. There is usually more smoke than fire in an October surprise.

At the same time, I believe that Greg Hughes needs to directly refute the charges. I am not impressed by the decisions of legislative ethics committees. This is like asking one of the vestial virgins in ancient Rome if one of their number has had sex.

[utube1167]

did you you know that Hughes asked for the investigations to clear these charges? This is the point of the allegations; to burn daylight and put doubt into voters minds. Let's just say that you and I are interviewing for the same job and I accused that you are a thief to the potential employer and you know you're not - Is this fair tactics? Will it raise doubts not only about you AND me to the potential empployer? Will this employer may bypass us both and select someone else? Riesen is dirty.

[BryanCatherman]

"...keeping the liberals honest," really, like this kind of election gaming doesn't run both ways. This year the target was a republican, next time it might be a democrat. Welcome to party political gaming-- the downside to politics in general and a reality of elections since the early elections throughout American history.

[jnjnelson]

And of course such a "reality" makes this type of unethical behavior OK, right? You are correct in saying that this type of behavior happens in all political battles, but that does not make it acceptable behavior. We should expect everyone to be honest, ethical, and moral, no matter their political views.

That being said, this behavior of using the government to enforce honesty and integrity is a sickness in our country. Government should be used to protect rights, not limit freedom.

[trathenwr]

I don't know the specifics of this situation--moved from Utah long ago. But, don't assume that this kind of thing only happens from one side. Here in North Carolina it is the republican Elizabeth Dole who is spreading last minute lies about her opponent--a democrat. Whenever we see dishonesty we should fight against it, no matter what side the perpetrator is on. The political system must be cleaned up.

[dilvie]

The people responsible for these kinds of dirty tricks should be investigated -- no matter which side is doing the attacking. Gaming elections cannot be tolerated.

[880Metzeler]

I like the idea that the new ethics review panel will be judges, not politicians. Otherwise, it's like the foxes guarding the capitol henhouse.

[flippeddog]

Thank you! Thank you to all those who set the record straight. I for one would like the producers of this video to keep us updated on other issues which are being twisted by the democrats. I for one will be voting for Hughes

[cowboy668]

I didn't realize that Johnson's largest contributor was this guy who wrote the complaint. WTF? I guess that was on the news. Sleazy.

[aaths]

Go Greg!!! I hope everyone can see this video so they will see this attack for what it is.

[holden1950]

It's too bad you limited this to 5 minutes. The public needs to know specifically about how Greg Hughes challengers Lisa Johnson and Margaret Bird are connected to these spurious ethics charges.

[hmheadlee]

Unbelievable! I read about this strategy in a magazine last summer when the Democrats did this in Colorado. I can't believe they did this here. Democrats should be punished at the polls for running from their liberal positions and resorting to these dirty tactics!

[senhoward]

Thanks for setting the record straight and keeping the liberals honest!