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Out of Context :
The Tribune's political writers' blog.
Stick to Numbers
The headline over my brief story on a computer glitch with the states election results Web site carried a spelling error, using "experiances" instead of "experiences." The story apparently ticked off at least one election official, who emailed me with the subject line, "SL Tribune article experiences spelling glitch." Worth noting: the official misspelled the word in his email, using the word "exeriences." Maybe we should both use spell check more often. -- Thomas Burr (editor's note: Copy editors, not reporters, write headlines. I know it sounds like a lame excuse, but it's true -- Dan Harrie)
Take Me to Your Leader
For about a week recently, The Washington Times Capitol Hill Bureau Chief Charlie Hurt found himself a foreign correspondent assigned to an exotic land. Because the Chris Cannon-John Jacob race was being touted nationwide as a "referendum on immigration reform," Charlie was sent from Washington, D.C., to faraway Utah. Apparently, the Moonie-owned Times failed to prepare him for the culture shock. The implications of crossing the Utah time-space-culture continuum hit Charlie soon after landing. To pass the time during a debate between Cannon and Jacob -- not North America's most articulate mammals -- Charlie chatted up a couple of local reporters. When the Deseret Morning News reporter introduced herself, Charlie said (we're serious here), "Is that how you say that? I've been pronouncing it the French way." His next question momentarily baffled the Utahns: "So, where is Deseret?" When all he got was blank looks, he added, as if conversing with aborigines "You're from the Deseret News. Where is the town of Deseret?" A sharp observer of his surroundings, Charlie's final question was, "What's with the beehives? This is the "Beehive State," but I haven't seen any beehives." That, of course, led to a primer on Utah culture, the Moses of the West, and related metaphors that brought to Charlie's face the outsider's usual alternating expressions of perplexity, bemusement and slack-jawed wonder. "I love it!" Charlie said. Then, he pulled the Trib reporter aside to get the real skinny: "Where's a good place to go fishing?" -- Glen Warchol
'The Awful Divide'
Joe Hatch says any chance residents had to vote on funding for a soccer stadium "died a quick death due to the Legislature." Lawmakers - including House Speaker Greg Curtis, who hails from Sandy - deliberately freed up hotel taxes, the Salt Lake County councilman reminded his colleagues, as a clear message to use the cash for a Real Salt Lake stadium in the suburb. But were the power brokers on Capitol Hill also punishing Salt Lake City? Hatch thinks so. "The sad thing," he told a crowded chamber assembled to debate Sandy's stadium proposal, "is the awful divide between our capital city and the rest of the state for being too Democratic or too non-Mormon or too Hispanic or whatever." And we thought they were just too anti-Rocky. Derek P. Jensen
Bend It Like Becker?
Tom Dolan doesn't know soccer. Says so, even. But for good measure, the Sandy mayor butchered the name of perhaps the best-known player in the world last week - twice - while making a pitch to the Salt Lake County Council to help fund a suburban soccer stadium. Dolan suggested the stadium would bring international exposure to Utah. After all, "David Becker" will be here in August during the international friendly between Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid, he told the row of politicians. Dolan conceded he didn't know who David [Beckham] is, but "I know who David Becker is married to." Seems Sandy's top pol knows his Spice Girls - at least one of them: Posh. Still, it didn't satisfy the smattering of RSL fans in the audience, who snickered each time the Sandy mayor mangled the name of the soccer star. Derek P. Jensen
New Utah Slogan
Lou Dobbs is trying to replace the Utah slogan "Life Elevated" with "Amnesty Agenda" On CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" Wednesday the anti-illegal immigration crusader spent quite a bit of time on the primary race between Rep. Chris Cannon and John Jacob. During the segment, the program had a graphic in the corner of the screen with a map of Utah and the designation "Amnesty Agenda." Dobbs has been relentless in his criticism of the Bush administration and Cannon on immigration reform. He didn't let up after Cannon's convincing win Tuesday, describing Cannon as being for "amnesty for illegal aliens" -- a description which Cannon denies. Dobbs then plastered the same label on Christian Burridge, Cannon's Democrat opponent in the general election. "Burridge is an attorney who practices immigration law and who strongly favors a so-called comprehensive immigration reform package, including, of course, amnesty for illegal aliens." With the "Utah/ Amnesty Agenda" logo still on the screen, Dobbs ended sarcastically: "It should be quite a contest." Burridge says Dobbs has never talked to him, so he isn't quite sure how the broadcaster divined his position. -- Dan Harrie
Jacob a "loser"
The Evans and Novak Political Report, a publication of conservative commentator and CIA agent outer Bob Novak, summed up the 3rd Congressional Race this way: Jacob was a "loser," but Rep. Tom Tancredo is a bigger loser: "Utah-3: This race, decided yesterday decisively in favor of Rep. Chris Cannon (R) -- as we anticipated -- highlighted the pros and cons of running a total amateur against a seasoned politician. On the one hand, challenger John Jacob (R) had no record to run on. His backers seemed pleased just to vote for someone who wasn't Cannon, who has a record as the administration's front-line immigration advocate. Jacob also had money he had accumulated from his years in business and could spend in the race. "On the other hand, Jacob was prone to say and do stupid things on the campaign trail. For example, he called Cannon a "bum" during a televised debate. He could have cost himself the election when he said, twice, that Satan was preventing him from being elected to Congress. A seasoned campaigner would never make such ridiculous mistakes, by far the oddest things to come out of the campaign. "Probably the next oddest thing about this race was the embrace of Jacob by the anti-immigration right -- odd but explicable. Jacob, who always had trouble (or at least avoided) articulating clear positions on anything, was really not far from Cannon on any issue, including immigration, during the campaign. In fact, he was talking openly about a guest-worker program in the campaign's final weeks. The real key was that the destruction of a vulnerable Cannon would embolden the anti-immigration and anti-guest-worker elements on the right, forcing Republicans to re-think their approach to the issue. "In one sense, this race proved to be anticlimactic. The lessons that come from it are the usual ones: Amateurs lose in politics, incumbents win, and you can't beat even a vulnerable incumbent with a loser for a challenger. "But it says something about the power of the immigration issue that even someone like Jacob could break 40 percent against an incumbent who is weak on one issue but otherwise strong among conservatives. "The biggest loser in this race is Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who is now zero for two on congressional primaries so far (he backed second-place finisher Robert Vasquez in Idaho-1 last month). Tancredo demonstrated his political naívete once again by backing a clueless challenger like Jacob. This seat is as Republican as any in the nation and will remain in Republican hands this fall. Likely Republican Retention." -- Thomas Burr
Sorry Brent
I was pretty hard on The Deseret Morning News for its screw-up on a "how-to" feature about using new touch-screen voting machines the other day. In fact, I said if the new voting method turned out to be a bust, we should blame the D-News for leaving out the critical final step of pushing the "cast ballot" button. Well, turn-about being fair play, I have to take the bullet for Brent Cardall losing in Tuesday's primary to Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard. I mistakenly listed Todd Richardson as Kennard's challenger in a front-page info box that ran Election Day. Richardson -- who was actually running against Davis County Sheriff Bud Cox -- lost, too. Oops. We ran a correction the next day (for all the good it did.) -- Dan Harrie
Devil got his tongue?
U.S. House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio wasn't going anywhere near the devilish debate over whether Satan himself was working against 3rd District Congressional challenger John Jacob. Jacob had said that the devil was hindering his ability to self-finance his campaign and also hurting the personal fortune of Jacob's foe, Rep. Chris Cannon. Asked at a news conference whether it was possible that Satan was interfering in the race, Boehner responded: "No comment. No comment. That might be the first time I ever said that -- no comment." -- Thomas Burr
What's In a Glance?
Integrity seems to mean different things to different people, but the universal truth is that people hate to have their own brought into question. Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey responded vehemently during the June 27 City Council meeting when one police officer, talking about the importance of integrity, happened to glance his way. Godfrey, who apparently saw deeper meaning in that glance, offered to stay after the meeting and discuss his integrity with the police officers, who were there seeking better pay. At meeting's end, he was observed having an animated talk with the glancing officer and several of his comrades. The cops believe they have been dealt an unfair blow after reaching an impasse in salary negotiations with city administrators. They resent being held to a higher standard than other city employees in order to receive a full 5 percent merit increase. "I think my integrity is impeccable," Godfrey said, addressing the men and women in uniform who had come to sound off. "I know of nothing we've done to have our integrity called into question. Our integrity is of the highest standard. We don't tolerate staff who are not honest." Meanwhile, one female officer said she works overtime and weekends to have enough money to support herself and her daughter. "We never planned on living in Shadow Valley" - an upscale Ogden neighborhood - "driving a Hummer or having a car allowance," said Detective Melissa Melcher, an 11-year veteran. She could have been referring to the 2004 Hummer driven by Mark Johnson, now the city's management-services director, who used his $375 monthly vehicle allowance to supplement city payments for the gas guzzler. Media attention and subsequent public reaction apparently took the fun out of driving the darn thing, so now he clunks around in a 2005 GMC Yukon. Cathy McKitrick
Chris Who?
Tuesday's primary victory was great news for Rep. Chris Cannon any way you look at it. He survived a challenger armed with an emotionally charged issue (immigration), lots of money (John Jacob invested hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money) and in an unpredictable low-turnout election. Cannon also received more press than ever before because the race was framed in the media as a national referendum on President Bush's immigration reform plan. But in his shining hour there was one tiny downside in the news coverage. An early Associated Press story that was picked up worldwide got his name wrong. The headline said "Utah's Gannon Tries to Fend Off Challenger." -- Dan Harrie
Open Government
Tech-savvy Utah senators have a new gadget -- a web cam perched for now on a clock in Senate President John Valentine's office. If you want to watch Valentine study revenue reports, order his intern around or snooze on the couch, log on to senatesite.com. In a play on the state's new tourism slogan, the username is "life" and the password is "elevated." I wonder if the camera will be on for the next stiff meeting between the Senate President and House Speaker Greg Curtis. Right now, the view is the doorway into Valentine's office and the cubicles outside. Valentine figures it's a window into power. "The new SenateCam is one more little tool to try to bridge that gap -- to try and break down a little of the 'inner-corridors-of-power' mystique," he wrote on the Senate blog. How about just opening up the closed Senate Republican Caucus meetings? During the legislative session, senators cloister themselves in a room where the real debate and headcounting happens. No cameras, no recorders, no note pads, reporters or citizens are allowed. -- Rebecca Walsh
How Not to Cast a Ballot
If Utah's first experiment with touch-screen voting machines turns out to be a bomb, we know who to blame: The Deseret Morning News. Like The Tribune, the News on Monday previewed today's primary election by blowing out the cover with a big explainer piece on using the new machines. It's what we call public-service journalism -- providing readers with practical information they can use without any real "news" hook. The problem? The News graphic left out the final and single most important step in casting an electronic ballot -- pushing the "cast ballot" button. Oops. No worries, though. The News stepped up and quickly corrected its error. So those readers who got the incomplete information on Monday were all given a heads up in today's paper, in time to avert a goof before heading to the polls. Or, at least those readers who happened to stumble on the correction buried on A9. Thanks, D-News. -- Dan Harrie
Backing Off the Devil
After several days as a media punching bag, John Jacob appears to be backing away from his comments last week about the devil being behind financial setbacks that have hampered his congressional campaign. In an interview with The Hill, a newspaper that covers Congress, Jacob reportedly said: "What the paper (The Tribune) reported and what I said weren't the same thing," Jacob said. "It wasn't that he was trying to keep me out of Washington. I was just saying when you're trying to get into politics, there's a lot of adversity." "He" in the last sentence presumably refers to Satan, who mysteriously morphs into an "it" in his continued quote in The Hill. "Contrary to reports of saying it was keeping me from being there, it was going to help me in training when I get there. It's not the devil; it's adversity," Jacob said, according to the newspaper. That's not what Jacob told Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke in an interview last Wednesday and it's not what he repeated to The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board the following day. He told the board: "You know, you plan, you organize, you put your budget together and when you have 10 things fall through, not just one, there's some other, something else that is happening," Jacob said. Asked if he actually believed that "something else" was indeed Satan, Jacob said: "I don't know who else it would be if it wasn't him. Now when that gets out in the paper, I'm going to be one of the screw-loose people." It's on tape. So unless some mysterious outside force has altered the recording, that's exactly what he said. -- Dan Harrie
Cannon Needs It More
Endangered Rep. Chris Cannon is getting a pass on having to kick in for a White House fundraiser. He is one of several dozen Republicans who have not kicked in to President Bush's gala fundraiser. Nonetheless, the president still went to the effort to record an endorsement that Cannon is using in radio ads. Roll Call reports that, for the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner, members had to raise between $40,000 and $150,000, but two-thirds of the Republican members made half their goal and 70 of them, including Cannon, contributed nothing. Where's the gratitude? The event still raised $16 million. -- Robert Gehrke
Hot Interns
Apparently, Utah's congressional offices have some of the hottest interns. A cute female Washington consultant -- possibly jealous Indiana didn't get listed at all -- pointed out Friday that Utah offices carry three of the eight spots on Wonkette.com's hottest male interns contest. Micah Wayne Elggren, a Sen. Orrin Hatch intern, is a "smoldering law clerk," Tyson Smith in Rep. Jim Matheson's office has a "great sense of humor, loves children, and is a total sweetheart," and Robert Stephenson, also in Hatch's office, "steams up" the Hart Office Building. Vote for the Utah guys here. -- Thomas Burr
Mixed Messages
Utah Democratic Chairman Wayne Holland makes an impassioned plea for everyone -- including Democrats -- to participate in Tuesday's primary election. His op ed piece, appearing in today's Deseret Morning News calls elections "one of the most important events on the public calendar . . . . The people of Utah have a lot to lose if they don't participate in Tuesday's (primary) election." Nothing unusual about a party boss encouraging election participation -- or is there? The Democrats for many years, and continuing today, have done everything in their power to avoid primaries for their candidates. Being the minority party is hard enough, the reasoning goes, without internal fights that drain precious resources and good will that could be conserved for the November general election. Hard to argue with the logic. But it does leave loyal Democrats with precious little room to participate in Tuesday's primary. There's not a single donkey-party congressional contest, and just two for state legislative candidates. Plus, there are a few scattered county-level contests in Summit, Tooele, Carbon and San Juan. So what would Holland have the vast majority of Democrats with no primary do at the polls Tuesday? He says they should vote in non-partisan school board and bond issue elections. Unsaid in Holland's piece is one other option: Registering as a Republican for a day to vote in their primaries, where there is a lot more action. -- Dan Harrie
Maximizing Minimum Wage
Pete Ashdown has an interesting idea: tie congressional pay raises to hikes in the federal minimum wage. The Democratic candidate against anti-minimum wage Sen. Orrin Hatch issued a press release Friday responding to the U.S. Senate's most recent refusal to pass a minimum wage increase. At the same time, he assailed what he called the "pure greed" and "arrogance" of Utah Republican Congress members for failing to join Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson's attempt to block a congressional pay raise. Ashdown wants to lash the two pay issues together, triggering a 25-cent-an-hour bump in the minimum wage for low-income workers whenever Congress gets a pay raise. "Most responsible businesses already are paying employees well above the minimum wage and taking care of their health care needs," said Ashdown, president of Xmission, an Internet Service Provider. He said Hatch has voted 10 times since 1989 against raising the minimum wage, including the last increase (in 1996) to $5.15 per hour. Hatch makes more than that even at his second job -- writing music. -- Dan Harrie
Bramble Responds With a Joke
The following is from Sen. Curt Bramble, responding to the previous posts about his endorsement/non-endorsement of Rep. Chris Cannon. Thanks for the clarification (I think.....) Maybe Gordon should have said the devil made him do it. That seems to be the popular excuse du jour in the 3d District. -- Dan Harrie
Bedeviled
A few hours after filing a story about John Jacob's belief that the devil was messing with his Congressional race, I had an experience that makes me think he's on to something. Some evil force broke into my car parked in a Salt Lake City motel parking lot. Satan, if you are reading this, please return my laptop. -- Robert Gehrke
Satanic Feedback
So far today, Satan hasn't called for a retraction of the story quoting 3rd Congressional District candidate John Jacob saying he believes the devil has been working against his bid for office. But the story has certainly has some traction with the public. KSL's Web site listed dozens of comments from readers on the Satan vs. Jacob story. A few samples: I cant believe it! by Mike A. (#37205) @ 9:54am - Fri Jun 23rd, 2006 Does he also believe the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus & the tooth fairy may be hindering his attempt! Devil by James L. (#28437) @ 9:45am - Fri Jun 23rd, 2006 The devil made me post a comment. Trust the Trib... by Tracy T. (#44223) @ 9:39am - Fri Jun 23rd, 2006 Jacob sounds like a good person who understands that there IS truly evil in the world and in our lives. When good and evil are eliminated from the equation then one is left only with human nature, agnosticism and atheism. Too bad Cannon doesn't have the guts to speak openly about his belief in a higher and lower power. Sounds like Cannon is moving rapidly toward either the cowardice of political correctness or he is truly becoming a humanist. Jacob is good for Utah and the US. Well... by Scot M. (#44122) @ 10:43am - Fri Jun 23rd, 2006 We know where Dell Schanze is working now....Political advisor to John Jacob. Next he will say that the media are the devils and ruining his polical career. And just for measure, KUTV posted the story and to ensure readers know who Satan is, they posted his picture: kutv --Thomas Burr
Rocky: Take (or Keep) This Job and Love It
In a past post, we anticipated an announcement by early June on whether Rocky Anderson was going to run for a third term as mayor of Salt Lake City. Well, it's almost July and still no announcement. Anderson said this week he's still struggling to make up his mind. "I really do love the job and I love being able to address some of these challenges," he said, in the midst of pitching his plan to build a Major League Soccer stadium at the Utah State Fairpark. "I just want to get some time to really weigh everything out. I want to do what's best for the community. I love this place." But there's still no love for Councilwoman Nancy Saxton, who is running for mayor. In the next breath, Anderson added this to his anti-Saxton file: She opposed placing flower baskets on Main Street because it's presumably going to be under construction as the LDS Church renovates the Crossroads Plaza and ZCMI Center malls. Anderson was reminded of the vote earlier this week when he held a news conference to point out the 96 ground planters and 59 hanging baskets on Main Street. Heather May
OK, Bramble, You Win
This from Gordon Jones, correcting his earlier correction to the Curt Bramble-Chris Cannon endorsement dust-up. Jones, who is Cannon's field director, writes: "(I knew I should just have left it alone.) "Curt Bramble's name should not have been on the list of state legislators signing an endorsement letter for Chris Cannon. Curt did not sign the letter, and the presence of his name on it as distributed at the Capitol Wednesday was a transcription error for which I take full responsibility. "Curt does not think his name should appear on the list of elected officials endorsing Cannon either, and while it appears to me that his actions (particularly appearing at the news conference) constitute an endorsement, the campaign has removed his name from that list as well. "But I repeat: he did not sign the letter; I knew he had not signed the letter; I knew that he had explicitly declined to sign the letter, and I have apologized to him and do to you and your colleagues that his name mistakenly appeared on the letter." And that -- finally -- settles the case of the endorsement that never was. We hope. -- Dan Harrie
On Death and Taxes
Die-hard conservative that he is, Congressman Rob Bishop is death on taxes. But when it comes to what Republicans call the "death tax," he is ready to scream bloody murder. While a majority of the House and Senate wants to extend breaks on the estate tax (which targets heirs of multi-millionaires), the proposal probably won't capture the super-majority needed in the Senate. "Death," said Bishop, "should not be a taxable experience." "The fact that the minority party would block getting rid of this cruel tax forever is unconscionable. They are essentially standing at the casket and reaching in for one last swipe at a family's hard-earned money . . . ." "Every American should be disappointed -- at least all those who think they will die someday." -- Dan Harrie
Take a Breath
Forget overly politically charged and mostly symbolic votes on resolutions to pull out of Iraq. Democratic Senate candidate Pete Ashdown would vote them down because he believes the real decision should happen in Baghdad -- not Washington. The challenger to Sen. Orrin Hatch wants to see Iraqis head to the polls once more to decide if U.S. troops should remain in their country. "We need a solution in Iraq that will cut through the American partisanship to get what the Iraqi people really want," Ashdown said in a press release. -- Matt Canham
Not So Fast, Bramble
Gordon Jones, Field Director for Congressman Chris Cannon, responded to the post on Curt Bramble's endorsement/non-endorsement, with the following: "1. Curt Bramble had a Cannon sign in his yard until he was forced to take it down because his wife serves as Utah County Republican Party Secretary and must stay neutral; 2. Bramble volunteered to distribute and put up signs for Cannon, and went around his neighborhood doing so; 3. As you know, since you were there, Curt Bramble stood with a dozen or so of his colleagues in the state legislature behind Senate President John Valentine yesterday when Valentine said "we are here as elected officials to endorse Chris Cannon for re-election." Given those points, it seems to me that the Cannon Campaign was justified in inferring that Curt Bramble 'endorses' Cannon for re-election."
Pass the Ammo
Sen. Orrin Hatch today took a few shots at his Democratic colleagues, saying he was disappointed the U.S. Senate was actually debating whether to withdraw troops from Iraq. "It's ironic," Hatch said. "Some of my friends on the other side of the aisle fight over judicial nominations, they fight the president while he's trying to protect our country, and they fight each other. "Just about the only thing they're unwilling to fight is an actual war." -- Thomas Burr
Undecideds Rule
There's good news and bad news for Congressman Chris Cannon in private polls being conducted in the 3rd District Republican primary race, according to the Evans and Novak Political Report. The political newsletter says Cannon leads challenger John Jacob but "the number of undecided voters at this late date is staggering -- a very bad sign for the incumbent." Political pundit (and CIA leak conduit) Robert Novak predicts "Cannon will barely survive in Tuesday's low-turnout primary -- but this is not a sure thing at all. A stronger candidate than Jacob would be winning right now." -- Thomas Burr
Is He or Isn't He?
Senator Curt Bramble's name showed up Wednesday on a list of 25 state lawmakers and 18 local elected officials endorsing Congressman Chris Cannon's re-election bid. But Bramble, who several months ago considered running against Cannon, said when the list was passed out to reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference, it was the first he had seen it. "I am staying out of the race," Bramble said. When asked whether he would tell the Cannon campaign to remove his name from the list, however, Bramble said he didn't want to make a big issue of it. -- Dan Harrie
Stranger in a Strange Land
Conservative Washington Times columnist (is there another kind?) Wesley Pruden recently ventured into the strange and delightsome land of St. George, Utah, to contemplate the presidential prospects of . . .Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Huh? That's right: You know, Romney . . . Utah . . . It all makes sense, because they're both Mormon, see? Pruden on PoliticsAnyhow, the adventuresome Pruden concludes that Romney's nascent presidential bid is mainly defined by his religion and "that makes his fellow Mormons wince." Because Mormons are mostly known for having lots of wives, he explains, and because Romney has taken to combating the stereotype by making a joke of polygamy. And that, Pruden observes, "intensifies Mormon pain." For what brings laughs in other parts of the country inspires "sighs and sobs in Salt Lake City -- and in St. George," Pruden notes. Because, you know, they're Mormon. The intrepid Pruden's special St. George insights come mainly, as near as can be determined, from an unidentified "young woman waiting in line to pay for a beef roast at an Albertson's supermarket off Interstate 15." This serendipitous source for the plucky D.C. columnist complains not only about the polygamy cliche, but other, more excruciating things that Romney's aspirations bring to the surface. For, as she confides to the trenchant Pruden: "I don't know whether I could bear the underwear jokes and take the theological abuse a Mormon president would bring." Plenty to think and pontificate about, indeed, as the tenacious truth-seeker completed his Albertson's purchases and made his way back to I-15, pointed in the direction of the known world. -- Dan Harrie
Utah as Gay Rights Model?
According to Wikipedia, the authority on all things, Utah's gay community enjoys unusual success. And Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. gets some of the credit. The online encyclopedia, which can be edited by anyone who logs on (with rare new exceptions. See here New York Times) gives Utah's conservative Republican governor praise for supporting gay rights. Citing local government debate of domestic partnership benefits, the failure of legislation that would have cut off gay-straight alliances, and attendance at Salt Lake City's Pride parade, Wikipedia says Utah's gay community is a model for the rest of the country. "The gay rights movement of Utah has been studied by national gay rights groups in the United States. It is regarded as fairly successful, particularly in that Utah is a conservative state," the entry says. "It enjoys support from Utah's Republican Governor Jon Huntsman Jr." No doubt, the writer was referencing Huntsman's support last year for legislation that would have granted some legal rights to "mutual dependents," unmarried Utahns who live together and share their bills, but are not sexually involved. Republican lawmakers rejected the bill because many believed it could undermine Utah's marriage amendment, which bars state recognition of gay unions. Still in question: Whether the governor takes issue with the tribute. His spokespeople did not return calls. And the website has not been changed. Maybe Huntsman will quietly take such praise. --Rebecca Walsh
A Real Race
Dave Thomas is in trouble. He not only faces a strong challenge from within his party from Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner, but if he survives that he must take on Democrat Stuart Reid, who will be far from a push over. Thomas, who is a Summit County deputy attorney, is the only Republican incumbent who appears in real danger of losing his Senate seat and one of his own colleagues has an idea why. "There has been a major concern that in the last four years Sen. Thomas has spent more time working on Summit County issues -- his employer -- than on Weber and David county issues, his constituents." Ouch. -- Matt Canham
Hands Off!
State Rep. LaVar Christensen is pulling out the heavy hitters in his race against Congressman Jim Matheson. The Draper Republican has listed five endorsements on his website -- four from fellow Republican state lawmakers and another from a schoolteacher. Christensen apparently is trying to curry favor with Southern Utah voters. Three of the conservative legislators who signed endorsement letters represent the southernmost reaches of the district, including St. George Sen. Bill Hickman, St. George Rep. Brad Last and Kanab Rep. Mike Noel. Christensen's seatmate in the Utah House, Draper Rep. Greg Hughes, rounds out the group. But it was schoolteacher Cindy Lamb's letter that caught my eye. "As a second grade teacher, I am always touched when I converse with LaVar Christensen," Lamb wrote. --Rebecca Walsh
Cannon's Missing Term
Some politicians are infamous for exaggerating their experience. But Chris Cannon (never known for extraordinary humility) is underplaying his. The Utah Republican congressman's campaign web site biography -- Cannon's Bio -- says this about him: "Chris Cannon was first elected to Congress on November 5, 1996, and was reelected to a fourth term in 2004." Uh, actually he was reelected to a fifth term. He's now seeking a sixth. Makes you wonder which of the terms was that forgettable. -- Dan Harrie
Who the Hell Do I Vote For?
One of the best places for one-stop shopping on candidates going into the primary election is the Utah League of Women Voters' web site at: voters guideThis voters' guide includes basic information about how to register to vote, how to vote by absentee ballot and how to figure out what congressional and legislative district races you may vote in. One of the most valuable features is the candidate response section, where hopefuls answer questions posed by the League on such things as education funding, public accessibility to decision makers and protection of Utah's natural resources. The problem, as with many such sites, is that candidates often ignore them. In the primary's biggest race, for example, 3rd Congressional District candidates Chris Cannon and John Jacob both have decided NOT to answer the league's survey. So the only information you can find on them here is "no response." (Guess they're too busy chasing undocumented ghosts.) Of the three state Senate races up in the primary, only candidates for northern Utah's District 18 -- Dave Thomas and Jon Greiner -- have answered the survey (Good for you, guys.) No responses from the hot contest in Sandy's District 9 or the sprawling District 26, which runs from Park City to the Utah-Colorado state line. (Guess Bryson Garbett, Wayne Niederhauser, Dave Ure and Kevin VanTassell don't need your votes.) State House races have a better response rate. Fifteen of the 24 primary candidates answered the survey. (What's up George Garwood, Ron Mortensen, Ted Shaw, Gary Guelker, Peggy Wallace, Dennis Sampson, Carl Wimmer, Garr Judd and Kay McIff? You don't know, or you don't care?) -- Dan Harrie
Fortunate Son
(With apologies to John Fogerty) To mark Fathers Day, MSNBC took a nice look at the "Legacy Caucus," a group of six U.S. senators who are following in their father's footsteps. It includes Sen. Bob Bennett, who is taking after his father, four-term Sen. Wallace Bennett. legacy caucusAnyone who has heard Bob Bennett speak probably has a pretty good idea how much watching his father in the Senate shaped him. Nine times out of 10 he starts his speeches with a story about his work in Washington as a young man, either with his dad or on his own. A total of 39 senators have had fathers who have served in the body. -- Robert Gehrke
Election Omens
Doomsday forecasters who see nothing but disaster in store for Utah's June 27 primary can add another omen to a growing list of things that could go wrong. Already, skeptics are worried about the potential for technical glitches and sabotage because of new touch-screen voting machines. They also fear consolidation of polling places will lead to voters showing up at the wrong place to cast their ballots. And, finally, there is the new early voting law, which hard-core pessimists believe could result in lost or miscounted ballots. The new threat to Democracy? Voting-place workers who can lift 35 pounds, but have no clue about running an election. Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen on Friday issued a call for back-up poll managers and touch screen technicians. The scary part is the list of qualifications. It is breathtakingly short: You must be a registered Salt Lake County voter who has access to a vehicle (no mention of whether it has to be motorized) and be able to lift 35 pounds. The only expertise necessary will be supplied in two three-hour training classes. There is an upside, though. The six hours training and lifting capability mean those poll workers will be more qualified for their jobs than most of the folks whose names are on the ballot. -- Dan Harrie
Seersuckers
Yesterday was Seersucker Thursday, where at least a dozen senators, including Sen. Bob Bennett, opted for the breezy summer fabric instead of the stodgy suits you normally see at the Capitol. Bennett went all the way, wearing a bow tie and white shoes. This Nashville TV station has video of the day, although Utah's lanky senator is not pictured. seersucker-- Robert Gehrke
RV, Starring Pete Ashdown
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ashdown looked a tad out of place. There he sat Thursday, amid a dozen candidates for county office, ready to pitch his platform in front of 30 semi-interested seniors at a west-side Salt Lake City center. He started with the importance of communication, but then cut short the X Mission, Internet spiel. After all, the crowd was clearly not his blogging bread and butter, and the lunch-hour loomed. Instead, Ashdown turned to something more colloquial: RVs. He has spent 18,000 miles crisscrossing Utah in his motor home, he told the group. What's more, during the dusty road show, Ashdown claims to have seen places and people Orrin Hatch has never seen. "For being in office for 30 years, that's shameful," he said. With that, it was off to another Wasatch Front hinterland: an event in Magna. Derek P. Jensen
Carrie vs. Sherrie
Call it a bad day for the challenger. In her bid to upset longtime Democratic Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, Republican candidate Carrie Dickson had a forgettable day Thursday. Speaking at Salt Lake City's Westside Senior Citizen Center, 888 W. 900 South, on the meet-the-candidate circuit, Dickson attacked Swensen's office for a lack of service. Playing to her crowd, she suggested the clerk ought to include senior centers as polling locations to make voting easier. "What a novel thought," Dickson barked. The only problem - other than labeling the seniors "one of our most precious commodities" - is the accuracy. After Dickson's speech, the moderator stepped in to offer a correction. The center is indeed a current polling location. Derek P. Jensen
Life! Elevated? . . . Deflated?. . . Berated?
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. keeps telling us that Utah's image does not suffer from incidents that garner worldwide negative publicity, ranging from the never-ending polygamy saga (not to mention an HBO series about a whacky band of Utah polygamists) to Utah Jazz owner (and Huntsman economic development team member) Larry Miller's cancellation of scheduled showings in his theaters of "Brokeback Mountain" to a Legislature that appeared callous in funding a new parking garage but turning its back on emergency dental care for the poor. But the "global economy" governor put a slug through his own foot by pulling down a Spanish language web site that offered basic state information -- including how to pay taxes. Once again around the globe, the kind of creative, brainy folks a high tech economy needs were scratching their heads reading about a very strange land we like to call Utah: Life Elevated! Take a glance at the rollicking debate on Huffingtonpost where posters tried to determine if Utahns are bigoted idiots, steadfast patriots or . . . what? Here's a taste of the 120, and counting, comments on the espanol.utah.gov story. "WELCOME TO UTAH!! (whites only; no drinking) " ----------- "YOW[L], get those Mexicans out of here except when our crops need to be picked. . . . We just believe in several wives, that's all. Interesting, since the Mormons suffered discrimination when they set up their cult in Illinois." --------------------- "Anyone who harps 'English Only!' is living somewhere in a Twilight Zone episode set in 1959. We are now in a global economy. . ." ------------------ "Inspired by GOP, this country has some of the most stupid leaders and people in the world." ------------------- "Figures. Utah: Home of blond children and Mexican stoop labor." -------------------- But not everyone disagreed with Huntsman's decision. "Try going to Mexico and see how many Ingles TV and radio stations are being broadcast there. Want a driver's license better be ready to read and speak Spanish." ---------------- "How DARE Utah interfere with the Globalist dream of our nation one day becoming the good ol' BSA . . . Balkanized States of America?" ------------------ "Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for President!" -------------- But our favorite post was: "¿Que? I mean, WHAT?" -- Glen Warchol
Flying High, Flying Free
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt's new frequent flier problems stem from using a Centers of Disease Control emergency-response jet for P.R. purposes -- to promote the president's Medicare drug plan and to pump flu fear. When he was Utah governor a few years ago, Leavitt had another high-profile controversy at high altitude. It didn't involve government-funded flight, but it did raise questions about squandered tax dollars and the appropriateness of his mode of travel. The issue surfaced in the fall of 1999, when Leavitt hitched a ride from Jackson, Wyo., on the $6.5 million private jet of Salt Lake City developer and Republican patron John Price. Leavitt was a frequent free-fare passenger aboard Price's plane. But that Jackson-to-Salt Lake flight stood out because it came just days after a published report that Price was trying to wriggle out of a $100,000 tax bill on the jet. The dispute was on appeal to the State Tax Commission at the very time Leavitt hopped aboard. The then-governor even acknowledged discussing the matter with Price during the trip. But, of course, it was all innocent. There was no conflict of interest, his spokeswoman assured, because the governor had no authority to influence the outcome of tax appeals. Apparently it didn't count that Leavitt appointed all the tax commissioners in charge of deciding the case. -- Dan Harrie
Dead Ducks
While explaining a laundry list of tax and contractor liens and small claims court judgments compiled by supporters of incumbent legislator Jim Ferrin, Orem City Councilman Stephen Sandstrom retained his sense of humor. At the end of his point-by-point answer for each of the cases, he pointed out Ferrin and his supporters had missed one blotch on his record: In 1977, then 13-year-old Sandstrom and his father were ticketed for hunting ducks after hours on Utah Lake. Ferrin and Sandstrom have been exchanging claims of mudslinging in the final weeks before they face off in the June 27 primary. "As long as we are coming clean . . . I had to go to juvenile court to pay a fine," Sandstrom wrote. "I don't remember how much I had to pay. But I can assure you it has been satisfied." --Rebecca Walsh
Where Utah Democrats Rule
Utah may have a few influential Republican bloggers, such as state Rep. Steve Urquhart and the Senate Site, but the blogosphere at this point is a Democratic haven. Yes, even in Utah. The first Utah Bloggers conference took place at the Sandy campus of the Salt Lake Community College last night and more than 120 people attended. Republican state Reps. Craig Franks and Greg Hughes sat way in the back trying to learn how to blog, while state Democratic Party Vice Chairman Rob Miller and Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate Christian Burridge (both bloggers) sat front and center. But it was Pete Ashdown, the Democrat challenging Orrin Hatch, who stole the show. He presented along with a group of primarily business and tech bloggers. Ashdown writes lengthy blog items on his campaign Web site, pashdown.com, some about politics, some about how his campaign motor home broke down again. He not only received some healthy applause from the obviously left-leaning group, but a few chuckles by agreeing with a participant that raising money online can be difficult, even for a political campaign. "When you talk about earning 23 cents a day, I can relate to that absolutely," he said. -- Matt Canham
Mike Leavitt on Welfare
Has Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt found the new welfare queens? Speaking at the Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, Leavitt said that after the 1996 welfare reform law passed Congress, requiring welfare recipients to participate in work-related programs, many states allowed " peculiar" definitions of what counted as work. Some, he said, included bed rest. Others physical rehabilitation, including massage. And some allowed "personal journaling," motivational reading and "weight loss promotion." He said he hopes to narrow the scope of what counts as work programs. "I think we can all agree we need to have a better definition of what constitutes work," he said. Here's hoping that whatever Leavitt comes up with doesn't involve a fake Latin word. Remember En Libra? -- Robert Gehrke
Cuban or Domestic?
Shortly after the jury began deliberating David Safavian's fate Tuesday, the former Bush administration official and one-time chief of staff to Rep. Chris Cannon was spotted on F Street, just outside the National Press Building, smiling, chatting and smoking a cigar. Safavian is charged with five counts of misleading federal investigators and obstructing their inquiry into his relationship with convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Evidently, he's not too worried, although he's not been seen passing out any of the stogies yet. -- Robert Gehrke
Ten Feet High and Rising
Could the proposed aquarium be sunk? The rejection is not official, but a new letter suggests blood is in the water. Last Friday, the chairman of the Salt Lake County Council mailed a missive to the CFO of the Living Planet Aquarium. The guts: Get some sponsors before bringing your $33.9 million request before our body. "It has been the practice of this council to require sponsorship from two members before an item is placed on our agenda," Cort Ashton wrote. "Therefore, we would ask that you seek this sponsorship and work through their respective offices to bring this issue forward for formal consideration." The letter came in response to a request by aquarium brass, seeking an audience with county officials. The issue, of course, is whether to place the aquarium funding before voters in November as a general obligation bond. That ballot may be crowded as the county contemplates $895 million for new TRAX lines, $60 million to $70 million for Zoo, Arts and Parks recreation projects, roughly $30 million for open space and perhaps more for fire stations. The County Council has until early August to decide. But nowhere in the note did Ashton dangle his name as a sponsor. Derek P. Jensen
Rocky, Don't Lose That Number
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson insists he is a phone call away for city staff when he's traveling across the globe. And he meant to be Tuesday. While in Sweden and Denmark at the Rotary International convention to promote Salt Lake City - which is staging the event in 2007 - Anderson was supposed to call in to an editorial board meeting with The Salt Lake Tribune. His stay-at-home crew was waiting for him - six of them from the city's budgeting office and the mayor's staff. But no phone call came. They plunged ahead and explained the reasons behind the mayor's proposed 2006-07 budget. By the end of the hourlong meeting, the mayor's place at the table - a telephone in the middle of the conference table - stayed silent. A member of the editorial board said he was sorry to have missed the mayor. "We are, too," said Anderson spokesman Patrick Thronson. Heather May
Public Service or PR Stunt?
Democratic legislative candidate Josh Ewing works in advertising -- and it shows. In an email to reporters today, Ewing touted his lead -- 2 to 0 -- in the race against fellow Democrat Chris Johnson for Salt Lake City's House District 25. The method of Ewing's stunning landslide? He and his wife Kirsten filed their ballots early for the June 27 primary. Ewing tried to cast his press release as a public education campaign. "Early voting offers a very convenient option for voters who may be busy or out-of-town on Election Day," he quoted himself. But it could just as easily be seen as a cheap grab for publicity. --Rebecca Walsh
Redford's Ride
Actor/director/producer/environmental activist and part-time Utah resident Robert Redford is a tireless advocate for alternative energy and greener living. But in an interview aired Monday on National Public Radio's The Diane Rehm Show he acknowledged he is still driving a fossil fuel-powered vehicle. Redford said he has a Toyota Highlander hybrid on order. Why has it taken him so long to make the switch? He said he has intended getting a hybrid for years, but relied on assurances from acquaintances that they could secure one for him. Those promises always fell through. -- Dan Harrie
The Bah Humbug Award
Some quotes are too good to publish just once. So, just in case you missed it in a Tribune news story the other day, here is one from House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander. He is responding to a question whether the House, like the Senate, would make private donations to help pay for emergency dental care for low-income blind, elderly and disabled people after Republican lamakers rejected a request for state funding: "We have no plans at this point to give any money to this.... If there are any individuals in the state that feel a need to donate money to this, then great." Alexander says the state Health Department already has authority to shift its spending priorities and fund the dental services. He calls the governor's plan to raise private contributions "a copout." -- Dan Harrie
Guv Voted For Pedro
Stop the Presses: Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is going to watch the new movie, "Nacho Libre," at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Gateway. This event merited its own mention of the guv's weekly schedule and we are pretty sure it is the only movie screening that has received such an honor. Why Nacho Libre, a goofy comedy staring Jack Black as a Mexican pro-wrestler? Jared Hess, of course. Hess is the writer and director of Napoleon Dynamite, like the governor's favorite movie of the last decade, gosh! Huntsman liked Napoleon Dynamite so much that he invited cast members to his inauguration in 2005 and he has a Napoleon Dynamite action figure still in its original packaging in his office. It appears that Hess, a BYU graduate who now lives in Draper, has some pretty influential fans. -- Matt Canham
Huntsman Will Add to His Constituency
Laborious paperwork and legal wrangling separate Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. from his new baby girl, who now resides in an orphanage in northern India. The girl will be their second adopted child, joining Gracie Mei, who is from China. The governor and his wife Mary Kaye have five biological children. The parents hope to pick up their new baby, who is now less than 1 year old, sometimes this fall. And they have already picked a name -- Asha Bharati Huntsman. Asha means Hope in Hindi and Bharati means India. -- Matt Canham
Death tax
Sen. Bob Bennett joined other senators for a news conference this week after Republicans were unable to get enough votes to end debate on the estate tax, what supporters of repeal have labeled the "death tax." One of his main points was that the tax is not paid by the person who dies, but by the person who receives an inheritance -- a point he punctuated with, "I've yet to see a U-Haul trailer behind a hearse." And, Bennett opened up a fun guessing game for our dear readers. "And then there's another situation that is described in an anecdote I had with a very wealthy [Utahn]. He said to me -- and he has a fairly large family, as Utahns tend to do -- I'm taking all of my children and all of my grandchildren on a Caribbean cruise. I said, 'Boy, that's going to be expensive.' He says, 'The federal government's going to pay 55 percent of it. It will avoid the estate tax if I spend the money now.' That is not sound economic activity either, when people engage in spending rather than saving and capital formation, for the sole purpose of avoiding the death tax." Now who might that be? -- Thomas Burr
Is There a Missing Link in Monster Homes, Too?
Eric Jergensen is a Republican, but the Salt Lake City councilman took a subtle jab at some party members this week. During the council's vote to curb monster homes in the Avenues, Jergensen pledged the restrictions will protect the neighborhood's unique characterstics, but still allow expansion as long as the renovations are well designed. Then he deadpanned: "Evolution can only happen through intelligent design. I can only say that here because at Capitol Hill, I'd get kicked out." The City Hall crowd was full of Avenues residents - that means liberals - so they appreciated the wisecrack about some Republicans in the Legislature wanting to label evolution a theory that is not endorsed by the state. Opponents saw it as a thinly veiled effort to teach intelligent design, the concept that nature is so complex that an intelligent creator must have been involved. No doubt the crowd is hoping for some intelligent design to stop three-story homes from popping up on their one-story streets. -- Heather May
Picture This: Rocky Is in the House - Sort of
Salt Lake City Council members have found a way to keep the globe-trotting Rocky Anderson at City Hall. Well, maybe not the mayor himself, but at least his likeness. The council is signing off on $20,000 budget request to commission a portrait of Anderson. That picture eventually will hang in the third floor of City Hall, along with past mayors. We previously reported that Councilman Eric Jergensen found an existing portrait of Anderson hanging at the Oasis Cafe and selling for $900. But as artist Jared Gillett said, "It's not one of those fancy portraits at City Hall." Gillett painted it for a charity event - "That's why it's so cheap," he said - but it didn't sell at the auction. Gillett had tried to paint other politicians, including Sen. Orrin Hatch, but Anderson's office was the only one to respond to his request. Some council members have grumbled about Anderson's abscences - by month's end he will have been gone 33 days in May and June to promote his green initiatives or the city itself - but the portrait, when it's completed, will give them more face-to-face time with the mayor. -- Heather May
Bend It Like Checketts
Maybe it was the altitude that spawned the attitude. After all, Dave Checketts' news conference to anoint a new "sister" relationship with Real Madrid on Wednesday was held in Rice-Eccles Stadium's sixth-floor press box - high above the voters and Real Salt Lake's county critics. Moments after the speeches, smiles and exchange of "Salt Lake City" soccer jerseys, the otherwise-upbeat RSL owner launched a crisp counterattack. Salt Lake County politicians were unprofessional and "bush league," Checketts said for suggesting a move of the marquee game to Provo was a "joke" and a "slap in the face." County Councilman Joe Hatch also had piled on, calling the team a "bunch of chowderheads," for contemplating LaVell Edwards Stadium over their current home. Why tout the millions sure to bounce the economy along with heartthrob David Beckham, they argued, if that cash and cachet would be headed to "that school down south?" Especially since the team still needs Salt Lake County's $35 million for a soccer-specific stadium in Sandy. Still, after the cameras shut down, Checketts let months of frustration and political punking boil over. Asked later about the status of the stadium negotiations, Checketts said RSL had no update. "We don't have a stadium deal yet," the owner lamented. "I don't know when or if we'll have one anytime soon." Hmmm. Coincidence? - Derek P. Jensen
Democrats Push Chairman to Resign
Summit County Democrats want their chairman to resign -- not because of his recent DUI and assault charges but because he donated to Republicans. See the Park Record story: Park Record -- Dan Harrie
Unexcused Absence
Conan O'Brien gets to the bottom of why Congress has once again failed to pass the gay marriage ban: "Big news this week. The Senate is considering a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. "That's right. The amendment is expected to fall a few votes short because senators Orrin Hatch and Trent Lott are antiquing in Vermont." -- Thomas Burr
No Democrats Allowed
Utah's Republican delegation got behind Rep. Chris Cannon tonight, throwing a $1,000-per person fundraiser to help boost Cannon in his primary battle with millionaire businessman John Jacob. The event was held at The Monocle, about a two blocks from the Capitol, and hosted by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett and Rep. Rob Bishop. Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson wasn't invited. -- Robert Gehrke
Don't Like It? Shove Off
Rep. Chris Cannon (not to confused with a noted male porn star of the same name) doesn't trust activist judges any more than he does smut peddlers. The Utah County congressman introduced a bill Tuesday that would strip federal judges of the power to overrule state anti-porn laws. That includes the U.S. Supreme Court. Cannon says it's high time that state legislatures, not courts, get to decide what is obscene. Disagree? Tough.Says Cannon: "If there are those who believe a state's anti-pornography laws are too strict, they can find another state in which to live." -- Robert Gehrke
Mitt Sighting
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was spotted yesterday leaving the White House West Wing. We're not sure of the purpose of the visit, but there is apparently no truth to the rumors he was packing a tape measure and some curtain samples. -- Thomas Burr
Romney's Challenge on the Right
A new "national thermometer" of potential presidential wannabes and political leaders shows an Evangelical chill toward Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Quinnipiac Poll Romney ranks in the middle of a crowded field overall, but weak support among Evangelical Christians. The results highlight a possible concern should the Mormon candidate have to win over Southern Republicans in a bid for the GOP nomination. The Quinnipiac University study shows Romney with a 47.5 percent approval rating overall. Among Republicans, he scores a 54.7 percent approval. But among Evangelicals, his approval rating was 47.3 percent, behind all eight of the other Republicans in the poll and just barely ahead of Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. His numbers were slightly weaker among Catholics. The poll asked respondents to judge the level of their support for candidates on a scale of 1-100 and weighted the "temperature" of support accordingly. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani had a fever (63.5) while Vice President Dick Cheney had the lowest (40.5). Among Republicans, Romney's support was below that for Guilliani, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Arizona Sen. John McCain. He was ahead of Virginia Sen. George Allen, President Bush, Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Cheney. Overall, he finished behind Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, and Bayh of Indiana. And if Romney's aspirations are real, he needs to start with "How much do you know about Mitt Romney? Would you like to know more?" The poll said that 67 percent of people don't know enough about Romney to form an opinion. -- Robert Gehrke
Playing Both Sides
Summit County Democratic Chairman Rob Weyher knows how politics is played: by hedging your bets. In a land ruled by Republicans, it can be a survival strategy. See the Park Record story here: Weyher Pumped Money to GOP-- Dan Harrie
Janalee's Jewels
In a recent interview with guns-rights, open-space and general all-purpose political activist Janalee Tobias, the West Jordan homemaker opened a window into her world: On civic duty: "I got into activism accidentally. I opened my mouth." On her mixing gun rights and environmentalism: "To respect beauty is a conservative value." Her rebuttal to the theory that having guns in the home leads to teenage violence: "That's a crock." On urbanization contributing to violence: "We've got to have natural areas where people can chill and de-stress." On living in the moment: "The best thing about being a gun-rights activist is that I know a lots of people with big guns. Have you ever fired a Russian Kalashnikova full auto? That's fun." On combining sex education and gun safety training in the schools: "Why not? The rules are the same." (And here they are:) 1. Treat every gun as if it's loaded. 2. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction. 3. Be sure it's safe to operate. 4. Wear protective equipment. 5. Know what to do in the event of a misfire. 6. Do not mix guns with alcohol and drugs. On self-styled feminists who oppose gun rights: "It's irresponsible. It sends a message that women are helpless in their homes and on the street." What a woman should do if an intruder enters her home: "Call 911 and grab your 9 millimeter." On housewife activism: "People trash me because I do something other than sit at home scrapbooking, quilting or shopping. You can't buy civil rights at the mall." On women and self-defense: "A lady keeps her weapons concealed. I'll just say this, I never go anywhere without my thirty-eights." -- Glen Warchol
Mud Wrestling
Republican Rep. Jim Ferrin knows an awful lot about his opponent's tax lien for someone who hasn't used the information in a slime campaign. Ferrin, a three-term incumbent legislator, is facing a strong challenge for his seat from Orem City Councilman Stephen Sandstrom. Recently, records about an old IRS payroll tax lien on Sandstrom's business were mailed and faxed to voters and reporters. Sandstrom saw it coming. He sent Ferrin a letter last week explaining the lien (which he is paying off) and urging the Orem Republican lawmaker to stay on point and run an "issues-based" campaign rather than wallowing in the "muck." For Sandstrom's letter, click here. For his part Ferrin says he is not anonymously distributing the records. He knew about the potentially embarrassing information about Sandstrom before the April 29 Utah County Republican Convention and says he chose not to bring it up because he didn't want it to "be part of our convention campaign." "I honestly believed I would win the campaign. I wanted the tax lien issue to be left out of it. Now I find myself in a primary," Ferrin says. "I hate that I even have to be talking about it. But I think it would be appropriate for the people of this district to learn and judge for themselves how to characterize that one." Worth noting: Ferrin himself had an embarrassing tax snafu a few years ago. In 2002, the lawmaker owed $968 in back taxes on one of his Utah County properties. He quickly paid that bill. -- Rebecca Walsh
Talkin' Trash
Anyone with an IQ the size of their hatband knows politics is about language. (On several levels, you could argue politics is language -- and plenty of it.) Recall Bill Clinton's "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is" testimony? Or Ronald Reagan's "Peacekeeper" MX missiles? And, of course, it's not a tax, it's a user fee! In the interest of electorate edification -- and a good laugh -- Out of Context will periodically attempt to decode the semantics of politics, a.k.a. bologna, b.s., folderol, having smoke blown up one's memory card port. The electronic voting machine giant Diebold hit a new level in sleight of speech recently when they put the ol' spin on reports that their machinery has what computer scientists variously describe as a "security gap," "hole," "flaw," or "backdoor" that could allow software hacking. Diebold spokesman David Bear patiently explained -- over and over -- that the security issue was not a flaw. It is a "functionality" designed into Diebold systems to allow the software to be updated. Ever vigilant and always trustworthy elections officials (Diebold's customers) would prevent such updating from including the names of Cook County cemetery residents. Bear spurns use of the word "fix" in connection with closing the misnamed security hole. Instead, any changes Diebold makes will be "enhancements" to security. -- Glen Warchol
Hatch on Hatch
Politicians seeking reelection attempt to walk the line between ego-thumping and appearing competent but humble. But in the case of Utah's senior senator, it's hard to fit in a little humility when he's just so darned accomplished. Here are some Hatch gems from a recent interview: -- "Most of the health care bills that work are Hatch bills. Hatch-Kennedy, Hatch-Dodd, Hatch-Waxman. Hatch-Waxman created the modern day generic drug industry." -- "I would say if anyone looks at it fairly they would say, 'Hatch has a tremendous amount of experience and effectiveness. He has got a lot done. People do pay attention to what he says.'" -- "I think last year I was rated the sixth most effective senator from a legislative standpoint. And if you look at it clearly, maybe some people would rate me even higher than that. Or I should say more toward number 1 or 2 or 3, something like that. Be that as it may, I don't pay much attention to those ratings." -- "I've taken the position that there is no limit to what you could accomplish if you don't mind who gets credit." -- Matt Canham
Winkin', Blinkin' and Noddin'
Randy Horiuchi meant it as an aside. But after suggesting earlier this year that politicians from Salt Lake County and the Legislature didn't record all the "winks and nods" when the pooh-bahs designed a tourist-tax formula to pay for a 20,000-seat soccer stadium in Sandy, the Democratic county councilman's comment has grown considerable legs. Strewn across newspapers, repeated by Republicans, the remark has developed cult status at the County Government Center. Thanks to Joe Hatch, it has still more mileage. The Democratic county councilman employed all his ex-party boss prowess recently to lob the language back at the GOP. During a presentation on the proposed Mountain View Corridor, several Republicans were dismayed to learn a new $10 car-registration fee, which they pushed, will pay for transportation projects besides their coveted west-side highway. "That was a wink-wink," joked Hatch, who criticized the car hike for not including new TRAX lines. "You winked and nodded." - Derek P. Jensen
The Revenge That Wasn't
When state lawmakers bark, they don't always bite. Earlier this month, Senate President John Valentine trekked to Ogden, where he told a Utah Tourism Conference the Legislature would rescind Salt Lake County's ability to tap future hotel-tax revenue during the recent special session. Reinstating a 2011 sunset on the tourist tax would be considered punishment for county Mayor Peter Corroon's rejection of Real Salt Lake's funding proposal for a Sandy soccer stadium. Corroon -- reasoning that an interest-heavy $35 million bond that balloons to nearly $90 million over the life of the loan -- spiked RSL's request last month. That led to speculation of reprisals, possibly from Capitol Hill. After all, House Speaker Greg Curtis hails from Sandy. Despite nervous murmurs after Valentine's salvo, the hot-button threat turned out to be hot air. - Derek P. Jensen
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