Spencer v. Chaffetz Part Five

There's been a lot of talk with the oil companies about excess profits. Define excess profits...?

Spencer v. Chaffetz Part Four

Do you consider health care a constitutional right?

Spencer v. Chaffetz Part Three

When does life begin?

Spencer v. Chaffetz Part Two

What are the two biggest threats we face as a country today?

Spencer v. Chaffetz Part One

What steps will you take personally to lead, not necessarily as a Republican or a Democrat, but as an American? (This is the question where Chaffetz states that he used to be a Democrat until he learned to read and write)

Bennion Spencer

You're the one who needs to apologize Mr. Chaffetz

At today's Sutherland Institute debate between Utah's 3rd congressional candidates, Bennion Spencer (D) and Jason Chaffetz (R) , Mr. Chaffetz demanded an apology from Mr. Spencer for supposedly misrepresenting Mr. Chaffetz's heartless immigration policy.

Mr. Chaffetz also stated that he was a Democrat until he learned to read.

I guess Mr. Chaffetz is suggesting that the late LDS leader, President James E. Faust, along with other past and present Utah Democrats never learned to read.

Mr. Chaffetz claimed he would work with all members of congress who have a "good idea", but his above statement is just another example of his arrogance. He has misrepresented the Western Governors Association on their immigration policy (More on that today from Bennion Spencer). He has demeaned all Utah Democrats, and he is showing his true nature and inability to look at immigration issues with a humane heart.

Click here to read Robert Gehrke's article, Chaffetz demands apology over prison camp comment but isn't getting one.

More on the debate later today.

Bennion Spencer for Utah's 3rd Congressional District

3rd Congressional District Democratic Nominee Bennion Spencer
Nomination Address
Utah State Democratic Convention 2008

Long-time TV newsman endorses Spencer for Utah’s Congressional District 3

Dick Nourse, the dean of broadcast journalism in Utah, shed his reporter’s neutrality recently and endorsed Bennion Spencer for Congress.

Nourse, who recently retired after a long career with KSL-TV, cited Spencer’s journalism background and their long-standing friendship as key reasons: “He is trained to deal with the truth and the facts,” Nourse said. “Gas prices are destroying family budgets. The middle class is being squeezed out of existence. Our schools are overcrowded. Our borders are like sieves. And after billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, all we know about homeland security is that at airports you have to take your shoes off and throw away your toothpaste. All of these are issues … [important to] my friend Bennion Spencer.”

Nourse said Spencer is especially concerned with supporting our veterans. He would work to ensure our troops have adequate protection on the battlefield, that they receive the best medical care, and never have to worry whether their families will receive help in a crisis.

“(Bennion) will spend what it takes to replace our national disgrace with benefits that truly honor our soldiers, our veterans and their families,” Nourse said.

Spencer has a 25-year background in journalism, including managing local television stations and teaching at the college level. He and his family live in Riverton.

The Democratic Party of Utah elected Spencer on May 10 to be its candidate for the 3rd Congressional District. He will run against the Republican winner of a June 24 primary, either incumbent Chris Cannon or Jason Chaffetz.

Meet Bennion Spencer, candidate for Utah's 3rd Congressional District

On March 17, 2008...
Bennion L. Spencer filed to run for Congress in Utah's 3rd District. He will be running on the Democratic ticket, and is very excited to have the opportunity to run for Congress. Bennion will be bringing some fresh, new ideas to the table. With a Master Degree in Political Science and International Relations, Bennion has a grasp of the issues facing our great country. He will support our next president in restoring peace in the world and making our country a more prosperous and better place to live . He is very passionate about the economy and also about immigration.

About Bennion...

Bennion Spencer grew up in Layton, Utah. He received his Bachelor Degree in Broadcast Communications from Weber State University and his Master of Science in International Relations from Utah State University. He has an extensive background in political violence and revolution, or what today is called terrorism. He also served an LDS mission in England and Wales. Bennion has spent the past 25 years in journalism working as a reporter, producer, news director and general manager at stations in Texas and Utah. As a television journalist, he has interviewed many dignitaries, including presidential hopefuls and corporate presidents, but his favorite all time interview was with the Civil Rights heroine, Rosa Parks. Bennion has taught college courses at several universities across th e valley. While teaching at Salt Lake Community College, Bennion developed a broadcasting program for Spanish-speaking students. In addition to this, Bennion was a faculty advisor for Operation Smile at Utah Valley State College. In 2000 and 2002, Bennion took a break from television to run for the Utah State Senate. In both campaigns, he focused on improving public education and removing the sales tax from food. He also served as the advisor for the Riverton Youth Council. In 2007, he helped his long time friend and associate Dick Nourse establish the Dick Nourse Center for Mass Communications and Journalism at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah. Bennion and his wife Malinda, live in Riverton, Utah; they have four children, and five grandchildren.

Why I'm Running?
I'm running for congress because we as Americans are feeling the problems of the last eight years and what I consider the worst stewardship of the American economy. During the 2000 presidential campaign, then Governor Bush and Vice President Gore debated on how to spend an anticipated 2.2 trillion dollar surplus. This campaign will not be about the misrepresentation of the past, but about the future and about what we as Democrats can do differently. I would love to hear your ideas, please feel free to contact me. I would also love your support and help with my campaign.

Thanks! Bennion
bennionspencer@comcast.net