Chaffetz: Bennett may not survive convention fight

[ccharles000]

Washington » Sen. Bob Bennett might not make it out of a convention fight to see a primary election, said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the last Utahn to knock an incumbent member out of Congress.

Chaffetz, a Republican who toppled GOP Rep. Chris Cannon in 2008, said Wednesday he sees a similar environment this election cycle that could cost the three-term GOP senator re-election.

"The conventional wisdom was that Bennett was at least going to get out of convention, but I think that's in serious doubt," Chaffetz said. "Go try to find a Bennett delegate. They're pretty hard to come by."

Bennett faces seven Republican challengers as he heads into the final month before the state convention. The senator needs to get at least 60 percent of the delegate vote at the May 8 GOP state convention to secure the nomination without a primary and more than 40 percent of the vote to make sure he's in that primary.

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14837871