Glenden BrownBuhler attacks - that’s no surprise
In one of those “no big surprise” moments, Republican Dave Buhler has launched what will no doubt be the first of many negative attacks on Ralph Becker in the Mayor’s race
Calling himself a doer, not a dreamer, Salt Lake City mayoral finalist Dave Buhler stood in the shadow of the Utah Capitol on Thursday to outline a “to-do list” of reforms he needs state help to realize - if elected.
In the same breath, Buhler assailed the legislative record of his front-running foe Ralph Becker, whom he questioned for passing just 15 bills during 11 years in the Utah House.
“Some years he didn’t seem to make much of an effort,” the Republican Buhler said about his Democratic rival. “The race is between two nice guys, but one’s focus is on results. The other is focused on planning and blueprints.”Â
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Of course Buhler would go negative - he’s a Republican after all and attacking their opponents is what Republicans do. Especially when they’ve got no ideas.
Buhler’s attack on Becker - surprisingly not very creative - has the advantage of being truthy without actually telling the whole story. In Utah’s Legislature, almost any and all Democratic bills are guaranteed to die a swift and silent death. Most Republican bills - no matter how insignificant or whacked out or unpopular (see: private school vouchers) - are practically guaranteed a hearing and probably passage. Hate crimes legislation had the support of over 3/4 of Utah citizens but was killed year after year in the legislature until the R’s on the hill finally relented. Â
Ralph has been pushing exactly the kind of anti-corruption, anti-lobbying, blue skies legislation Republicans hate and so of course they’ve killed it. Better to protect the back-slapping glad-handing secret handshake insiderism that Dave Buhler is making his chief selling point than to actually govern for the people.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Of course Becker had a limited capacity passing bills-HE WAS A DEMOCRAT IN A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE! I have zero respect for a guy that forsakes Rocky for personal attacks and then attacks personally the popular mayon in the same breath. I don’t know what sort of policy this wanna be republican pulblic servant favors that would allow Salt Lake City to progress. Thank goodness the people of SLC have enough sense to know that he is not the guy to be calling the shots. Jenny Wilson almost beat him in the primary. On top of that, he doesn’t really have any landmark legislation that qualifies him to be the judge of policy makers. He is just another republican jester, except in SLC politcs the superficial label of Utah republicanism doesn’t fly. Some people just know better.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Despite being true in this situation, I’d avoid the dogma of, “…he’s a Republican after all and attacking their opponents is what Republicans do.” This is as “truthy” as Buhler’s claims about Becker and himself. Other than that, thanks for the head’s up on Buhler’s change in tactics. That really isn’t that creative. Hopefully most in this city will see through it’s thin veneer.
September 29th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Look, Buhler’s going negative because that’s the only chance he has to win the race. It’s not because he’s a Republican — and I despise most Republicans — and it’s not because he’s short on ideas. He’s going negative because he lost to Becker in the primary by about 13 points, SLC is largely Democratic, and if something doesn’t change drastically he’s done. It has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican, it’s simple campaign tactics. For example, two years ago, when incumbent Republican councilman Eric Jergensen was challenged by Janeke House, it was the House campaign that went negative, because Jergensen had a large lead and the advantage of incumbency — and House’s tactics almost worked. Buhler is doing this because it is what he has to do to stand a chance; but it’s pretty clear that as long as Becker doesn’t slip up he has the race won.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Pete’s right. It has nothing to do with party. Buhler’s just exercising the survival instincts all politicians and their organizations have. Let’s all save ourselves a lot of money, time and bad karma and write the acceptance speech. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695214174,00.html
September 29th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Becker continues to do things right. He was at Sugarhouse park this morning to speak at the beginning of the Josie Johnson memorial bike ride. He rode down in the rain to join the rest of us cyclists. Buhler couldn’t make it, despite also being invited, car or bike. That sent a VERY strong message throughout that crowd.
Buhler may be a do’er, but he wasn’t doing much today. He may need to go “negative” to try to shake things up to overcome a large popularity deficit. But he also needs to “do” things like his message says. I’ve seen much more effort on Becker’s part to engage all facets of the electorate.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Do we think Buhler’s going to get any more help or money from the state GOP? Unless he comes up with a “surprise,” it’s over. And Episcopalians (even divorced ones) aren’t that exciting.
September 29th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Just like his national brethren, when nothing of substance exists to excite the electorate, Buhler shifts to lies, misrepresentations and ad hominem.
Feeling a bit desperate, there, Davey boy?