Congressman Jim Matheson has always stated that he is a Utah Democrat who puts his constituents ahead of partisan politics.
On February 16, Congressman Matheson rightfully voted for a nonbinding resolution expressing support from Congress for the U.S. troops serving in Iraq while opposing Bush's plan to send 21,500 more combat troops into the war. It should also be noted that this non-binding resolution passed the House with bi-partisan support.
On Saturday February 17, 2007 Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said the following in his keynote speech at the Washington County Republican Party's Lincoln Day breakfast at Dixie State College:
"I'm sad to say that your representative, who likes to say he's Republican in his heart, voted with (Democratic House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi,"Shurtleff then reminded the audience that Republican candidates John Swallow and LaVar Christensen failed in their attempts to unseat Matheson.
"This Democratic resolution in the House and Senate right now condemns our president and our soldiers."
"I don't want to dis on Matheson, he's a nice guy, but this is what we're talking about,"
Source: Deseret News
Attorney General Shurtleff is also a nice guy, but that doesn't excuse him from putting words in Matheson's mouth and rubber-stamping LaVar's ridiculous and unsucessful campaign rhetoric.
Congressman Matheson has always represented his district in a bi-partisan manner, but would LaVar or Swallow have done the same?
Furthermore, Shurtleff's comment that Congressman Matheson is "a Republican in his heart" is nothing more than a blatant mis-representation leaving one to wonder what the AG really has on his mind?
I personally support Congressman Matheson's decision to vote for the non-binding resolution that clearly stated support for our troops. Simply said, it was a vote of the Congressman's conscience.
What I want to know is where is your conscience Mr. Shurtleff?
One would think that Utah's Attorney General would know better than to slander Utah's most popular congressman.
