If Jim Matheson loses in November, he'll have himself to blame.

[Drunken Irishman]

Matheson joined four other Democrats in voting down healthcare reform today. He also voted to hold Holder in contempt a couple weeks ago. Needless to say, just perusing his Facebook page, he's not very well liked by Utah Democrats right now.

I live in both Matheson's old district and his new district, so, I've voted for him in the past and will have a chance to vote for him in the future. It's possible, maybe even likely, he faces an extremely contested election this November. His new district is even more conservative than his old one, and that one wasn't remotely liberal to begin with. Salt Lake, probably the most liberal city in the state, is only partially included in this new district. A great deal of the more conservative suburbs, and very conservative, rural Utah County (home to Provo, Utah and BYU) makes up the rest of the district.

Matheson's problem in November is big. He continues to vote against Democratic interests and it will only continue alienating Democratic voters. If he loses, it will be because those Democrats who held their nose in years past just decided they can't do it anymore.

Now, with it being a presidential election, you'd think he would benefit from Democrats actually getting out to the polls. But this is Utah. We're going to Mitt Romney no matter what, and since Romney is Mormon, I anticipate the state will give him Bush-like numbers (Utah was Bush's best state in '04, however, in '08, Obama out-performed Kerry, Gore and Clinton by about 10 points). For those Utah Democrats, even if they are a minority, there has to be a reason to go to the polls. With Romney already a lock for our five electoral votes, and a dispirited base who's tired of his constant voting with Republicans, I would not be surprised if a great deal of Democrats decide to just skip this election. They might want to vote Obama, but when you're in a red state that will always stay red, it's hard to get motivated when you already know the outcome.

Matheson could very well win. But he also might lose by a small margin. If he loses by a small margin this November it won't be because he's a Democrat running in a Republican district, it will be because stabbed his President and his Party in the back one too many times.

Utah Democrats are pretty progressive. Probably more so than Democrats in a great deal of states. We're small, though, so our voice is rarely heard. However, they just might allow their voices to be heard by sitting on their hands this November and giving Matheson what many believe he deserves for voting against Obama, who still has a huge amount of support among Democrats here, and that's a loss.

Matheson has alienated the left and he's not ever going to win the right. His pool of votes is shallow and it might finally cost him this November.

[AJTheMan]

1. Great post!

Do you think it's possible that Representative Matheson will get a primary challenger? And would you really rather vote for a Republican over Matheson? I mean really. I can't imagine any situation where I'd vote for a Republican over a Democrat -- even a conservative one. I'm pretty loyal to the Democratic party. Even though Matheson is not very loyal, a conservative Democrat is better than a conservative Republican any day of the week!

[Drunken Irishman]

2. It's too late for that. They've already had the primaries (at the convention).

As for voting Republican, I would never vote Republican. I might, MIGHT vote third party, though. I haven't decided yet. I'm just so disappointed in him.

[AJTheMan]

3. That's understandable. Just remember though, the more Democrats we elect...

...whether they are conservative or progressive, the better shot we have at winning the House back and electing Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. Wouldn't that be nice? I mean I totally understand your apprehension, he's not the best Democrat in the shed. But if we could all just put our personal qualms aside, and put party unity first, we could get the Democrats back in the House. In 2010, 34 Democrats voted against the Affordable Care Act. But if those Democrats had not been elected, and Republicans won the house, then the Affordable Care Act wouldn't have even come up for a vote.

Do you always have to like the Democrat you vote for? No. But if it means putting more Democrats in power, then I say go with the Democrat in this case.

PS: If this man has vowed to not vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker, the he is too far gone and I say leave him behind like the rest of the Republicans.

[grantcart]

4. Don't vote for Matheson, vote for Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

[AJTheMan]

5. He doesn't live in Pelosi's district and the Speaker is elected by Representatives. nt

[Drunken Irishman]

6. That's the point...I'm voting for a Democratic majority...

If I feel Matheson will be the difference between a majority/minority, I'll vote for him. But if, on election day, polls indicate it's extremely unlikely Democrats win a majority, I'll have a very serious debate to do in the voting booth.

[grantcart]

7. that's the point

if you don't like your Democratic congressional candidate then squint your eyes until it looks like Pelosi and vote for her instead.

Then go home and get a good drink.

[AJTheMan]

8. Oh, sorry, I misunderstood.

[grantcart]

11. no problem

[Wellstone ruled]

9. mathison refused to atend Obama's

inauguration,that's the kind of asshole he is.

[coalition_unwilling]

10. Wow! I think DU might want to relax its rules for this prick and allow

its members to advocate and vote Democratic Socialist or Green in this one legislative race.

[47of74]

12. I agree