Reader comments: Ethics committee to begin Walker investigation

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Still Amazing | 9:03 a.m. July 1, 2008
First I find it really interesting that the GOP brass have been supporting Walker for so long despite his obvious lack of experience or education that would accompany a good treasurer.

Next it was interesting that there are these allegations which if proven true are disturbing as to the unethical nature. I beleive that Walker is cut from the same cloth as the GOP leadership and that is why they backed him so vigorously.

Finally it is disgusting that the GOP (GOB seems to be more fitting for Good Ole Boys) not only doesn't distance them from a tainted candidate as you would expect but is now calling any members of the ethics investigation as "dissidents" by the speaker of the house.

I think that the GOB leadership is corrupt. They are promoting their own agendas, their own candidates, and attempting to prevent anyone from going against them. It is disgusting that the people of Utah sit back while this is going on. Where is the outrage? Where is the accountibility for their actions? What are we doing to make sure that the GOB knows that this corruption is not welcome?
Bob is biased or just chicken? | 9:41 a.m. July 1, 2008
Bob Bernick should be ashamed of his journalism. He states Ellis' claims as facts and Walker's claims, correctly, as claims. Another obvious bias is calling Ellis victory at the primary a "thumping" while Walker's victory at the convention was only "did much better" even though the margin was the same (59 to 41).

But the worst part of his journalism is that the real story here is that this investigation is intended to get the GOP (aka GOB) leadership. Walker is a lame duck legislator that could just resign and make this Ethics committee go away as it applies to him.

Is Bob afraid to report on someone who still has some power or something to lose? Why pick a sacrificial lamb that is already dead?
Walker's not dead yet... | 11:44 a.m. July 1, 2008
To quote Monty Python, "A mere flesh wound..."

I will let you consider him "dead" and I will leave him alone once he calls a press conference and says, "I lied about not offering Richard Ellis a job. There are some extenuating circumstances that make it not as simple as that, but I totally lied for months on end about this, and I am sorry. I am sorry I called all those on Richard's side who were telling the absolute truth liars or even worse. That was shameful of me."

Then he resigns.

And then I will leave him alone.

But until then, he still seems just as defiant and arrogant as ever, so I cut him no slack.
Comments continue below
King Arthur | 2:55 p.m. July 1, 2008
Are you King Arthur, God, the "special" prosecutors or the ethics committee? Otherwise, I am not sure why Walker needs you to cut him slack.

The demos are just waiting for the Walker part to blow over so they can go after their real target - Ellis. Any decent criminal lawyer can see how dumb Ellis and Empey were in filing their affidavits, complaints, e-mails, etc. Don't be surprised when the demos file some marginally frivolous complaint (with Ellis-like timing) to try to steal the election. And to quote Pignanelli, someone is going to get Empey-ed.
Are you for real? | 3:19 p.m. July 1, 2008
How can the corrupt House legislature really vote on this? They all supported him. Shame on Greg Curtis for being involved at all and for all the political games he plays. He needs to be OUT!
what is real? | 3:33 p.m. July 1, 2008
Yea, we should have the holy State Treasurer's office vote on this. They all supported Ellis. Shame on Richard Ellis for being involved at all and for all the political games he plays. He needs to be OUT!
shelly.... | 9:59 p.m. July 1, 2008
What is real? are you kidding me. are we a little ticked because our liar of a representative got caught and then beat? And let me tell you this, you bet the treasurers office supported Ellis, he is honest and has integrity... why do you look it up sometime.
going down... | 10:00 p.m. July 1, 2008
It is about time that Walker the briber take some heat for doing the WRONG thing here. Do you people need to go back to school to learn what right and wrong mean? Hightower you and your boss will get your just dues for this./
CRYBABIES | 10:43 p.m. July 1, 2008
GET A LIFE! ELLIS IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY, AND THOSE OF YOU TRYING TO DISCREDIT HIM ARE SORE LOSERS. WALKER GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT WITH HIS BUDDIES CURTIS, LOCKHART, SHURTLEFF, HUGHES, CLARK, AND VALENTINE, AND NOW DOESN'T HAVE THE CLASS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. BY THE WAY, HOW WAS THE BIG PARTY AT THE ALTA CLUB ON ELECTION NIGHT? RUMOR HAS IT THAT WALKER DIDN'T EVER CONCEDE THE RACE TO ELLIS. EVEN CANNON STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND EARNED A LOT OF RESPECT FOR CONCEDING THE RACE TO JASON. I SUGGEST YOU WHINERS OUT THERE GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE...I GUESS IT'S KIND OF HARD TO STOMACH SINCE YOU WON'T ALL BE GETTING PAID JOBS IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE NEXT YEAR. BUT AT LEAST YOU ALL WERE PAID TO RUN WALKER'S CAMPAIGN. LESSON FOR NEXT TIME, SUPPORT A CANDIDATE WITH CREDENTIALS. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE THE THREE RING CIRCUS ON CAPITAL HILL STARTING MONDAY. I HOPE ALL THE ZIONS EMPLOYEES SHOW UP TO TELL WHAT THEY KNOW, AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE TRIBUNE ARTICLE FROM FEB 07 WHERE DAVE CLARK AND CO VOTED THE PAY RAISE FOR THEIR CANDIDATE.
reality | 11:01 p.m. July 1, 2008
To what is real: was there any reason the state treasurer's office wouldn't support the only person qualifed for the job. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps the staff knows how important it is to have someone in charge who actually is aware of what is necessary to represent the state in many financial related capacities? How could the staff work for someone who showed no integrity when he came into their office to try and convince Ellis to drop out of the race. I hate to break this to you, but many others on capitol hill supported Ellis for this position, former employees, legislators, but don't tell Curtis, not to mention many democrats. In spite of the message from Curtis, Hughes, Clark, Shurtleff, Valentine and Bishop that the treasurer didn't need training in banking and finance or have any experience, the voters saw through this and voted for the qualified person. They should be thanking their lucky stars. By the way, shame on Hughes for being Walker's mouth piece on the Doug Wright show the Monday before the election. He should be ashamed of himself. Those in his district are apalled at your arrogance.

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Mark Walker
Mark Walker