Leavitt Instructed Volunteers to Carry Cannon Signs

May 15, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) After about a dozen of congressional candidate David Leavitt's volunteers caused a stir at the Republican convention this weekend by carrying signs onto the floor endorsing incumbent Chris Cannon, the candidate admits they were following his orders. In a press release, Leavitt said he and party chair Stan Lockhart determined this was not a violation of convention rules. But the party chairman says that although he did talk with Leavitt about the issue, he took no stance on whether there was a violation.

"I think Mr. Leavitt may have misinterpreted our conversation. The party has no position on this issue, and it is open to interpretation," said Lockhart.

Leavitt's press release also criticizes the delegates who booed his volunteers. The candidate said he stands by his endorsement of Cannon, and calls the incumbents remaining challenger Jason Chaffetz a "worse choice."

1. Anonymous said:

Leavitt's staffers referred to their actions as an act of civil disobedience. Obviously their thought they were breaking the rules when they went marching onto the convention floor carrying Cannon signs (with their Leavitt tee shirts). Just goes to show that Leavitt isn't a statesman. He's just a politician who will do or say anything to get elected.

Based on Leavitt's endorsement it sounds like it's time to vote for Chaffetz.

2. Convention Attendee said:

Truth is I was more upset by the way the Chaffetz supporters treated those young kids. Some of them were crying. Its one thing to yell at Leavitt himself he's a big boy, but it says something about the character of a person (or a person's supporters) who would scream and yell at a 10 or 13 year old girl to the point she starts crying. Do you think she really wants to be involved in politics now?

I'm not saying what Leavitt did was right or wrong but the crowd there on Saturday was a mob, and honestly should take a look at their own actions as well.

3. 1_2_talk said:

If Lockhart thinks the rule is open for interpretation, then why was he yelling at the Leavitt people to get off the floor with their signs? Every entrance to the convention floor had large signs which said "Credentialed Delegates Only". Some state party officials even mentioned adding punative measures for the next convention to aide in rule enforcement. Apparently they all felt that some rules were violated, but Mr. Lockhart says "it's open to interpretation."

Just them good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm...

4. State Delegate said:

as a delegate who almost supported Leavitt, I have to say I was very disappointed by his "betrayal" of his supporters by turning to support Cannon. Why does he think people supported him in the first place? Because they were dissatisfied with the incumbent! When he came out in support of Cannon, I felt I'd been tricked and saw him as a wolf in sheep's clothing. I wonder now if he and Cannon had this planned all along ... and they accuse Chaffetz of dirty politics!

5. Jared said:

Lockhart made a complete mistake by yelling at the Leavitt Volunteers. No where in the party rules does it say that only credentialed delegates can go on the floor. The signs were there to make sure that there were enough seats for the delegates. There obviously enough seats when the Leavitt volunteers went on the floor. The real story is that Stan Lockhart is such a pansy that he won't admit that the party made a mistake yelling at the volunteers.

6. Have been lied to by Lockhart said:

I have been lied to over a rules issue involving the Republican Party and Stan Lockhart himself lied to me. He told me one thing and the press something else and then told me that "the papers got it wrong". He has shown that he is a liar.

I believe that he did tell Leavitt it was okay and then hid behind the statement when Jason Chavettz supporters booed it. If they would have cheered it, he would have taken credit.

He is untrustworthy!

7. Arc Angel said:

Ask Leavitt why he is under investigation for filing false documents in St. George court for the benefit of Home Owners Associations and the legislation to incorporated HOA's without the owners consent.

8. סקס said:

"I think Mr. Leavitt may have misinterpreted our conversation"...very ineresting...

9. זיונים said:

אני אוהב זיונים ותמיד מחפש זיונים ברשת