When, in 2007-2008, I first started to pay attention to the Utah Republican Party’s nominations process, people warned me that Utahn candidates too-often tried to “wine-and-dine” delegates into supporting them by handing-out freebies, including meals, swag, et cetera. And I noticed, whether from secondhand observation or from firsthand experience as a GOP delegate, that there was too much truth to these warnings. One candidate even tried to treat me to an amazing free hot-air balloon ride!
I decided early that I would never accept such “bribes” from any candidate whose name would appear on my ballot, even if it was nothing more than candy from a booth, and even if I felt confident that it wouldn’t “sweeten my disposition” any (just in case it did anyway). In this commitment, I felt inspired by the example of Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1966), who conscientiously rejected an expensive silver cup given to him by a person whose court case he was adjudicating.
I decided likewise that, as a candidate myself, I would never attempt to win-over voters through any means other than great ideas. And this is why, although I normally love being generous, you’ll never find any free candy at my campaign booths—and, although I might host a potluck meal, I’ll never host a free breakfast. Am I overreacting? Perhaps. Am I accusing my fellow candidates of trying to “bribe” people? No, I can’t read their hearts-and-minds and perhaps they’ve never thought-through it.
In any case, this is what I do and this is why I do it, and I’m content with it. Candy is never as delicious as liberty, anyway. I’ve never yet lived in a place in which the state fully owns both everyone and everything, and does whatever it pleases with both, but I worry intently that these United States are slowly degenerating in that direction, and I want do everything in my power to reverse that course before we finally arrive where we’re headed. And, with your support, I’ll do what I can to keep Orem free.
David for Liberty 