The Great RINO Hunt of 2010, Cont.

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Barely into the primary season, and the tea party movement can already officially claim a scalp. The bald head in this case being that of 3-term U.S. Senator, Bob Bennett (R - Utah), who failed to survive the 2nd round of caucus voting at Saturday's Utah nominating convention. Details on the event are covered by The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_15046264. Don't think it's a large victory for the tea parties? See this money quote from none other than Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine (D - Virginy):
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"That the tea party would consider Bob Bennett, one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate, too liberal, just goes to show how extreme that tea party is," Kaine said. "If there was any question before, there should now be no doubt that the Republican leadership has handed the reins to the tea party." (Emphasis AZDB)
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Elected three times since 1992, Bennett came under fire from many conservatives for supporting bank bailouts during the last of the Bush 43 years and for co-sponsoring his own version of Obamacare that would have mandated the purchase of individual insurance, both anathema to small-government tea party activists and their supporters. Now, barring a kamikaze write-in campaign to win in November, he becomes the first incumbent Congresscritter or Senator to be defeated in seeking reelection this year. Hey, Bob: DLTDHYOTWO. Sincerely, AZDB.

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As for the finalists advancing in Survivor: Utah GOP Senate, businessman Tim Bridgewater will face off against lawyer Mike Lee in a standard GOP primary set later in June. The winner is almost assured victory in November in this heavy Republican state that has drawn only token opposition from Democrats. Next up between now & June: intense jockeying for the much-coveted endorsement of GOP superstar and former Governorette Sarah Palin (R - Alaska, you betcha!).

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Before the day is out, I expect two large bouquets of roses to be delivered to the Palin estate via the Utah branch of 1-800-FLOWERS. A lesser, arrogant politico could just name her price and let the gifts just fly in. Willow and Piper Palin could probably have all-expenses-paid college waiting for them courtesy of the highest bidder. But instead, because they have to know she's no ordinary politico, expect Lee and Bridgewater to engage in a game of The Biggest Commonsense Conservative. Expect the scene to look something like this:
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Of course Palin is much better looking than AC and is just wearing an Alice Cooper costume. Not sure which one is Lee and which one is Bridgewater, though.
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- AZDB

The Great RINO Hunt of 2010

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It looks like, from these amateur eyes, the most endangered Republican incumbent may be Bob Bennett (Big Gov't - Utah), who may struggle to even get renominated by the activists in his own party. The 3-term Senator, who's about as exciting as peanut butter on white bread, is even struggling to keep notable Republicans in his own state awake long enough to carry him over the finish line for re-nomination. per The Salt Lake Tribune (For those in Gila Bend, it's the largest newspaper in the state of Utah, AZ's neighbor to the north):

Washington » Rep. Rob Bishop is backing Senate colleague Bob Bennett's re-election campaign, but it's not the most winning endorsement. "I told him I'd do that and he can count on my endorsement until I look him in the face and told him he no longer has it," Bishop said of Bennett. "I haven't done that yet."

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, won't even go that far. "I'm going to keep my powder dry on this one," Chaffetz said, noting that he thinks Bennett has an incredibly tough fight ahead of him. While Bennett and his GOP opponents -- Tim Bridgewater, Merrill Cook, Cherilyn Eagar and Mike Lee --- are lining up politicians and groups behind their campaigns, several high-profile Republicans are holding out, or at most, giving tepid endorsements in a race that splits the Utah Republican Party. Bennett, who is seeking his fourth term, so far is touting some big names as supporters: former presidential candidate and Utah's adopted son, Mitt Romney, as well as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Not to be outdone, former gubernatorial general counsel Mike Lee nabbed the endorsement of the FreedomWorks political action committee and its head, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

(Emphasis mine)

17 years in the U.S. Senate - and the leading lights of the Utah GOP flat-out don't give a damn about having you for another six years? Quite a reputation you've amassed over the years, Senator. At least they haven't (yet) said they hate your guts & to please go away.

- AZDB