Saturday, May 29, 2010

US Senate Candidates - Why I'm Supporting Tim Bridgewater

As a state delegate I had a chance to interact with all of the candidates for the US Senate. I spent the most time with Cherilyn Eager, Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater. Each of these candidates were ones I could have supported because of their similar views on the role of governement and the US Constitution. I decided to support Tim for the following reasons:

  • He is a doer: I saw in Tim someone who is a problem solver. I could see in his past a person who when he see's a problem works hard to create a solution.  I saw many examples of this in all aspects of his life (started a charter school to help his children and the community at large, worked to reduce the impact of No Child Left Behind on Utah ...). This attribute is most likely a large contributor to his success in business.
  • He serves others: Tim has spent a significant amount of time on a "volunteer basis" helping to better our community and state. From coaching little league to working on education issues for the state for a year he has used the time and money his business success has provided him in positive ways.
  • He is positive: He is always positive and upbeat. I have not heard him make derogatory remarks about any of his opponents. This showed in his convention speeches,  especially the 2nd and 3rd round speeches (YouTube links: round 1, round 2, round 3).

I'm proud to be a Tim supporter and would be delighted to share additional thoughts on Tim with my fellow precinct members (ir anyone else) at any time.

Rod Mann
tel: 801-847-2051
email: mannrw@gmail

7 comments:

Daniel B. said...

Welcome to the team!

Daniel B. said...

Welcome to the team!

- said...

Couldn't agree more. Tim Bridgewater has always been there for the party and isn't jumping into this Senate race because of the opportune timing. As a member of BYU College Republicans, he gave us money and helped us out long before deciding to run for the Senate.

Mike Lee seems fine, and I'm sure if he wins he'll do a great job. But Tim is my man.

plaidspolitics said...

The three main reasons you list for choosing Tim over Mike Lee are actually very similar to my reasons for supporting Mike Lee!

Mike is a doer. He has not only been impacted in his own business and life by the government being involved when it shouldn't, but he has done something about it. Mike was working with the Patrick Henry Caucus to help write bills, and then testify in the legislature in favor of those bills, that hav led to our state asserting it's rights to access our Public School Trust Lands. He has shown he has been doing those things a US Senator needs to do to get government out of our lives.

Mike Lee is also a serving others. Along with the typical community involvement we see with so many residents in Utah, Mike volunteered his service to help our state enact legislation to get federal govt out of the places it shouldn't be.

Mike is positive. I have learned a lot watching the candidates. Mike has been the most consistent with staying firm and focused, keeping a positive campaign in the face of being the candidate with the most directed and pointed attacks. I wish I could say the same of all candidates, but one of the first things to drew me to Mike is how considerate he was of people who started their question to him with a very combative tone. He didn't get defensive or jump to conclusions like I saw with other candidates, but was patient and responded in a level-headed and reasoned way. He wasn't bullied into taking a different stand, and remained firm and focused. Mike was respectful even with those who passionately wanted to argue, and he took a certain command in the situation to keep things from escalating, keeping it positive, and engaging in a discussion that he put back on course to being civil. A US Senator who is going to be working with others who have very different positions needs to have that firm and focused demeanor, and the skill to engage courteously to create a rapport and get things done without having to compromise with error. Mike Lee has been the most consistent in conducting himself in this way.

Rod Mann said...
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Rod Mann said...
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Rod Mann said...

Isn't it great that we have two good candidates.