RightMarch Recruits 'Conservative' to Run Against 'Liberal' GOP Congressman
By Jimmy Moore
Talon News
May 14, 2004

Conservative political action committee RightMarch.com successfully recruited former Republican Utah state senator Matt Throckmorton to run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) in the upcoming primary to serve as "a wake-up call" to all liberal Republican legislators who run as Republicans but subsequently abandon their conservative principles once they are elected into office.

RightMarch.com claims credit for persuading Utah's GOP state convention delegates to "put Chris Cannon last" by not electing him to another term.

In just three days of fundraising, RightMarch.com claims it has been able to generate $7,500 in online donations.

Calling this a "victory cry for true conservative Republicans and a wake-up call to RINOs [Republicans In Name Only]," RightMarch.com revealed that it distributed 4,000 flyers to convention delegates detailing Cannon's position on granting "amnesty" to illegal aliens.

The flyer said a Congressman is needed who will "protect our borders."

William Greene, who serves as the president of RightMarch.com, said it is time to challenge this "loose cannon," referring to Cannon, and have him "removed from office."

Even Chuck Muth, president of the conservative policy group Citizen Outreach, said Cannon is extremely vulnerable because of his position on amnesty for illegal aliens.

"This stunning setback can be blamed primarily on [Cannon's] pro-amnesty positions on illegal immigration," Muth remarked in a statement.

But Joe Hunter, who serves as the chief of staff for Rep. Cannon, says he is amused that RightMarch.com would attempt to portray Cannon as a liberal.

"Characterizing Chris Cannon as a liberal is almost laughable," Hunter told Talon News. "With the nonpartisan National Journal finding [Cannon] to be more conservative than 93% of all House Members, one has to question the threshold [RightMarch.com] is using to define liberals and conservatives -- or one has to question their motivations."

Hunter concluded to Talon News, "Chris Cannon has a long and consistent record of conservative voting and representation, by almost any criteria."

The winner of the June 22 GOP primary race is expected to easily win in November since this is "the most Republican district, in the most Republican State in the country," as noted by Greene.

Self-proclaimed as a group "100% committed to its goal of defeating liberal Republican incumbents and replace them with true conservative Republicans," RightMarch.com promises to continue to target Republican lawmakers whom they believe do not vote conservative.