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Rocky the Democrat becoming Rocky the Independent

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) One of Utah's most prominent Democratic politicians is distancing himself from the party. Speaking on KCPW's broadcast of On Point earlier today, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson chastised Democrats for not heeding calls for an impeachment of President Bush and a harder line against the war in Iraq:

"They want to cash in on this war in 2008, believe me," says Anderson. "I'm really appalled and I'm becoming more and more Independent every day. I'm not all that happy with what I see of the Democratic party - especially here in Utah."

Anderson also took shots at the darling of the Utah Democratic Party - Second District Congressman Jim Matheson. Anderson called Matheson a "Bush Democrat," saying his voting record aligns more closely with the President's agenda than party ideals.

Anderson also downplayed the differences between himself and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The two men supported each other in previous political races. Anderson says that support was based not on politics but their success working together during the Olympics. Romney has said he's distancing himself from Anderson.

And the Salt Lake City Mayor said today that he won't vote for Romney, and has never supported the candidate's political stance.


Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW

1. Ryan said:

Why is it that Rocky is continually trying to polarize the community? His sole existence seems predicated on driving a wedge between people of different persuasions. He tries ruthlessly to contradict anything the majority aligns itself with. He is becoming an idependent because he feels the democrats aren't opposing the republicans enough. He slanders Matheson because he is not an extremist. I have heard it said people like that Rocky "stirs things up" but what good does it do to go around picking fights with everyone you disagree with? It only serves as a means to feed his insatiable ego. It gets him the spotlight and that seems to be his goal. Resolving issues, uniting the community, or serving the public are moot points to Rocky.

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