Delegate Email 2-for-1: Chris Stout and Sam Granato

Two emails, two candidates, same theme.

Chris Stout:

Dear Friends,
I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to those of you I’ve had the opportunity to either meet in person or talk with on the telephone over the last several months. As I continue expressing my views of good government and my desires to work for the people of Utah in the U.S. Senate, I want to ask you to do two things:
1. Compare the candidates. Take a long look at both web sites and compare our plans and our issues. I suggest starting at www.stout2010.com. For several months, as I've worked to reach out to every delegate in person, by phone and email, I've had a plan; a clear outlining of important issues and solutions.
2. Ask me questions. As detailed and as open as this campaign has been, I know that some of you still have questions about who I am and what I believe. The simplest solution to any problem is usually the best solution – so; call me and ask.

Between now and the state convention, my phone line is open and I am standing by to take your calls. Leave a message if you don’t get through and I’ll return the call as soon as I can.
Take the time to get to know me and the reasons I’m running for the U.S. Senate. I am always happy to share with you my thoughts and feelings on any given issue. I also promise to listen to your take and engage in sincere discussion and constructive dialogue about the topics that matter most to all Utahns.

Sincerely,

Christopher Stout
801-892-9700

Granato:

Dear Bob:

Congratulations on being elected as a delegate to the Utah Democratic State Convention! I'm running for United States Senate and am asking for your support.

I value your vote and your opinion. As a delegate, you are among the most active and engaged Democratic voters in Utah and I want to hear from you. Since kicking off my campaign in June 2009, I have visited dozens of communities and talked with thousands of people about the issues that concern them most. In Roosevelt, it's immigration and energy policy. On the Wasatch Front, it's air quality, jobs, and education. In St. George, it's growth, water resources, and wilderness designation.

Of course, everywhere I've been, people are angry that healthcare reform either went too far or did not go far enough. People are anxious about the economy and disgusted by the nasty rhetoric of Washington politicians.

In the days remaining before the State Convention, I hope we have a chance to talk about these issues as well as other concerns you may have. Please contact our campaign headquarters at (801) 486-2010.

As you know, the State Convention will be held Saturday, May 8th at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Registration begins at 9am and I hope we can talk more then, too. Let me know if you plan to attend so I can look for you and we can spend some time together. Either reply to this email, or answer our brief survey on the top left of this page.

Thank you for your time!

- Sam

Kids in the Hall takes on Glenn Beck

What? Kids in the Hall ended 5 years before Glenn Beck switched from being a morning shock jock to a talk-show host? Them Kids be Prophets, I tell ya!

Glenn Beck: "Utah has played a really nasty role in the history of our country"

(h/t: Out of Context)

Glenn Beck was interviewing US Senate Candidate Mike Lee earlier this week. Beck said that "Utah has played a really nasty role in the history of our country...." The goes on to site the Smoot-Hawley Act, saying "SmootHawley" was from Utah. Then he says Utah is to blame for Harry Reid. When Mike Lee corrected him that it was Nevada that elected Harry Reid, Glenn says "but Harry Reid...."

The fun starts about 1:20 into this, if you want to minimze the amount you have to listen to the Hatemonger in Cheif:



Why, Glenn? Is it because Harry Reid is Mormon?

I guess Glenn Beck is Utah's fault, too.

Mitt Romney: Greed is Good

Delegate Email From Claudia Wright: Congratulations, SL County Nominees, and Thank You, Delegates!

Thank you, Salt Lake County Delegates, for an exciting and spirited day on Saturday at the Salt Lake County Nominating Convention! It was a great pleasure to meet so many of you and to hear about your ideas, hopes, and concerns for our state and the Utah Democratic Party. I am very excited to continue these dialogues with you and the delegates from the other counties across District 2 as we head into the State Democratic Convention on May 8th!

Also, thank you to those of you who took time to write or videotape your thoughts as "citizen endorsements" for my campaign! From the beginning, this campaign has been a movement of and from the people. It is my great delight to have your names, the names of the constituents I am pledged to represent, as my strongest endorsements. Please take a moment to visit my website, www.claudiawrightforutah.com and hear the voices of fellow Democrats standing up for our shared values and hopes.

I also want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Salt Lake County Democratic candidates! Truly, with so many impressive candidates running, I felt that no matter who won their nominations, we would come out of convention successful. To our candidates who won their elections at convention--Sim Gill, Holly Mullen, Tyler Ayres, Paul Recanzone, and Rebecca Chavez Houck--and to our slate of excellent candidates who were nominated by acclamation, you have my respect, encouragement, and enthusiastic support. I also want to thank both Alyn Bradshaw and Cal Noyce for your tremendous inspiration. Although I know the primary election you face will require great energy and resources, I am excited for Democratic constituents to experience the strength of two such excellent leaders as they make their choice for their candidate for County Council 1. And to the volunteers, sponsors, and organizing committee, thank you for a wonderful convention.
Sincerely,

Claudia Wright

Crazy Mormon Hippies.....

Deseret News:

As the sun crept up and over the Wasatch Front early Tuesday morning, its rays not only fell on a new LDS Church meetinghouse in Farmington but also powered it.

Featuring 158 panels mounted over about a third of the area of the soon-to-be-opened stake center's south roof, the solar power system is one of several innovative uses of energy-efficient technology in its construction processes and utility operations being tested by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Helping to unveil the first-ever solar powered LDS meetinghouse in North America to the media were two members of the church's Presiding Bishopric — Presiding Bishop H. David Burton and Bishop Richard C. Edgley, first counselor.

Solar power was installed in 2007 at a new meetinghouse in Tamotu, Tahiti.

Estimates suggest the solar panel systems should generate enough electricity to power the structure, resulting in a projected annual energy savings of $6,000.

"Today, the solar panels are the story, aren't they?" said Bishop Burton, listing the environmentally friendly contributions of other building elements, ranging from high-efficiency heating and cooling systems to landscaping designs and building layout.

Four other buildings following the prototype design are being constructed, including a second Utah meetinghouse in Eagle Mountain. The others are located in the Southwest — in Apache Junction, Ariz.; Logandale, Nev.; and Pahrump, Nev.

Crazy Liberal Hippies!

-Bob

Email From Corroon Campaign

Dear bob:

Over the past week, Peter has continued his travels around the state. He visited Grand, Cache, Weber, Davis, Tooele, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Kane, Washington and Iron counties - 10 counties again, in just over a week's time and not a single frequent flier mile!

Peter is sticking to this grueling schedule to meet with as many Utah citizens as possible to describe his vision for Utah's future - a future we can look to with excitement and optimism by electing Peter as the next Governor of Utah. And what is that vision? Well, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again - and over the next several months these sound bites will turn into full-blown policy statements, but the nuts and bolts come down to this:

Build a Strong Economy
A strong state economy is the engine for job growth and prosperity for our citizens. Government affects the economy through policy and, among other things, Peter will work to strengthen the Utah economy and create jobs by supporting Utah's traditional and renewable energy economies.

Fixing Public Education
It may sound like a cliché but that doesn't mean it isn't true - our children are our future. We are short-changing our kids, and it's getting worse with each passing year. This year we will add 11,000 new students in the K-12 public schools with no new funding to support them. This trend must be reversed, for the well-being of our children and our state.

Quality of Life
You may have heard Peter say that he and Amy choose to live and raise their family here. As Utahns, we know there is no greater place to live, but we have to protect and nurture this beautiful place we all call home.

Balance
Whether it's regulation or taxes, the individual or community, business or labor, Peter understands the need for balance. For six years, Peter has governed Salt Lake County from his heart and from his conscience, balancing different interests, reaching across party lines, and understanding that "no" should not end the discussion. Leaders need to seek alternative solutions in order to best serve the people.

Ethical, Common Sense Government
Peter is a stalwart supporter of ethics and campaign finance reform, and has always believed in bringing honesty and common sense back to government.

So far we've raised nearly $800,000 in this campaign from over 1,200 donors. Our goal is to reach 2,010 donors by May 8th. Our 2,010th donor will be given a VIP seat at the Democratic State Convention when Peter accepts the nomination for governor.

We can and we will win this race, but we need your support. Please give $5, $15, $25, or more today. You can donate by check or online at www.votecorroon.com.

Want to volunteer? Call us at (801) 953-0572.

Thank you!

Josh Kanter
Co-Chair, Corroon for Governor Finance Committee

D.C.Voting Rights Group Targeting Jason Chaffetz

From Salon:

When a bill to give Washington, D.C., voting rights in the House died this week, thanks to a Republican-supported amendment that would have stripped the city's ability to pass gun laws, one local activist figured the best way to get even was with a little long-distance revenge.

"D.C. may not have a vote in Congress, but we have the highest concentration of political donors and politically savvy people here," says Mike Panetta, the District's "shadow representative" to the House. That's a citywide elected office, but it basically just makes Panetta D.C.'s chief lobbyist for voting rights.

So as the 2010 elections heat up, Panetta is trying to get Washingtonians and those who support D.C. voting rights to give money to opponents of the Republicans who have helped keep the city unrepresented in Congress. His "Free and Equal D.C. Fund," a registered political action committee, will direct contributions through Act Blue to try to defeat targets. First on the list? Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees D.C. affairs. Chaffetz not only opposed the bill that died this week, but he also tried (and failed) to block the District's new same-sex marriage equality law, and has been making noises about doing the same thing if D.C. passes a law allowing medicinal marijuana. Panetta's fund will kick off its effort with a fundraiser next month dedicated to sending Chaffetz back to Utah. If the PAC is able to raise enough money, it might also run ads in Chaffetz's district.

"He's spending lot of time meddling in local affairs," Panetta says. "We could spin that in such a way that he's not doing his job representing the 3rd district of Utah."

Beating Chaffetz may be tough; the freshman doesn't even live in the district, but he won easily in 2008, and his district may be one of the most Republican-friendly ones in the nation. (A Chaffetz aide didn't respond immediately to a request for comment.) His Democratic opponent, Karen Hyer, isn't really on the national party's radar. But Chaffetz has been so ostentatious in his attempts to manage D.C. affairs that Panetta said he was a natural target anyway. The Free and Equal D.C. Fund will also try to elect Democrats to open Senate and House seats; Paul Hodes, the Democratic candidate for New Hampshire's open Senate seat, will be another recipient of Act Blue funds. (A similar effort in 2008 only raised a few hundred dollars, but Panetta says he'll work much harder at it this year.)

Thoughts on the 2010 Salt Lake County Democratic Convention

When I got home from this year's convention Saturday, I posted on Facebook that I have a real hate/love relationship with political conventions.

I love going, but I hate being there. Long and tedious.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to the state convention on May 8. But I'll also be glad when it's over.

And now, some random thoughts as they would have probably come to you via live blogging or tweeting if I had the ability Saturday. (If I had been smart, I would have used the cool notebook Holly Mullen gave me to write these thought down. Instead, you have to rely on my memory.)

*I have been to most Democratic Conventions held in the county since 2004, plus one Republican one. Add to that numerous fairs and other "community events" where I have helped run a booth or just gone to as a patron. Every candidate booth looks exactly the same. Except Holly Mullen's. I think that I would have bought something from her, had she been selling something, it was that slick and professional. Also, donating a tree to Tree Utah for every endorsement was a great idea. (I didn't get a picture of the booth.)

*Arlyn Bradshaw had these potted trees all over the place with postcards with his name hanging from them. Very cool idea.

*I like that they split the caucus meetings into two groupings, so that it was possible to attend more than one. I made a cameo appearance in the education caucus (before I remembered that my brain wasn't yet fully engaged and the room was starting to fill up), and then an hour later went to the Young Democrats caucus.

*I love having candidates stop by caucuses, but it makes it really hard to conduct any business when candidates take all the time. I also think some deference to candidates in contested races should be paid.

*I am sick of candidates coming in and talking to the Young Democrats like we're all in high school. Most of us aren't.

*I'm amazed at the number of people who see my name and go "hey, you're the blogger, right?" It makes me proud, but at the same time, I have no witty comeback.

*I spent a good 20 minutes talking to Representative Jim Matheson about bicycle safety, earmarks, healthcare, redistricting, the Jazz, and blogging.

*I also spent several minutes talking to Claudia Wright about her pet issues, and what "moderate" means.

*And,I finally got to meet Christopher Stout. I was very impressed.

*I had a real tough time deciding who to vote for for District Attorney. I was leaning towards Sim Gill, then was to the point of wearing a Sim Gill button, to taking off the button and leaning slightly towards Greg Skordas, before then leaning slightly toward Sim Gill again, but asking some friends (and a few complete strangers) why I should vote for their candidate of choice. In the end, I voted for Sim.

*Two brilliant moves involving food: 1) The Young Democrats selling Little Cesar's Pizza for $2/slice and Big K Cola for $1/can. 2) Holly Mullen having Gelato. Awesome.

*Why aren't there recycling bins at the convention? I thought we were the environmentally friendly party.

Overall, it was a great convention. I give it a B+. Which is the highest grade I'd give any county convention I've been to.

And, I'm ready to make endorsements in the Senate and US House races. Look for those by week's end. I am also planning on making an endorsement in the House District 25 race. I'm going to be sending the candidates a questionnaire today, and hope to have the endorsement ready by next Monday at the latest.

-Bob

An open Letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern

Commissioner Stern-

I read an article in today's Deseret News that you want coaches to stop criticizing your referees.

It's like you don't think that NBA fans will notice the bad officiating if the coaches stop talking about it.

I've been blessed to watch a lot of basketball up close the past several years. Anything from High School to the NBA.

Yes, referees make mistakes. However, I see fewer mistakes in college games than in the NBA.

I also see mistakes that go both ways in college. However, I see many instances where officials will call games, or portions of games, very lopsided in favor of one team (or player). I've seen enough evidence to know that Tom Donaghy wasn't an isolated incident, nor was he entirely inaccurate in his book, which I'll be the first inline to purchase once it is published.

It used to be that if there was an NBA game on TV, I'd watch it. This was esecially true during the playoffs. Now, once my Utah Jazz are eliminated, I don't watch anymore. The last several years, I couldn't even tell you who made the finals.

I'll continue to root for my Jazz, much in the same way that I used to root for my favorite pro wrestler as a kid. But, as far as I'm concerned, the NBA can wither away and die.

-Bob Aagard
Former NBA Fan

Wright Claims She's More Moderate than Matheson: WTF?

St George Spectrum:

Hoping to wrest the Democratic nomination to represent Utah's 2nd District from Rep. Jim Matheson, Claudia Wright made her first campaign stop in Southern Utah Sunday in search of support and delegates.

"The (Democratic) party will tell you I'm not electable because I'm a progressive," the associate instructor at the University of Utah told an audience at the Painted Pony restaurant. "But I'm closer to a moderate than Matheson."

Her supporters claim that Matheson only votes with the Democrats 40% of the time on "key issues." (Overall Matheson votes with the Democrats 92% of the time, but for kicks and giggles we'll use the 40% number.)

The more moderate candidate would be the candidate closest to 50% (half the time voting with Democrats, half the time voting with Republicans). So, unless she plans to vote with Republicans 41-59% of the time on "key issues," I just don't buy her claim.

Besides, take a look at her web site, there's not a moderate or conservative thing on there.

Speaking to your audience does not mean being dishonest with them. It makes you no better than other politicians.

And that's why it's getting harder and harder to support you.

-Bob

Environmental Activism at Olympus Jr High Built a Park

I was sent a link to a policy paper (I think that's the right term) from Sutherland Institute about environmental activism in Utah's schools. You can read the paper here.

I read through most of it, and found several things wrong. However, I'm not an environmental expert, so I'll leave that to real environmental experts.

However, I do want to share a tale about some environmental activism that took place when I was a student at Olympus Jr High in the early 1990's. (Am I really that old?)

My eighth grade science teacher (Ms Augustyn, if memory serves me correctly) disliked the fact that school lunches were served on Styrofoam trays. So, she educated her students on the environmental impacts of Styrofoam. That lead to a petition drive that captured the attention of some of the local media, and got Granite School District to change to trays made of recycled cardboard throughout the district.

Not only that, but it also laid the groundwork the following fall for the Olympus Jr High Environmental Club.

And that year, we got the year started off right with a paper recycling program. Then, one of our members heard that an intersection near the school was going to be realigned. In realigning the streets, they were going to tear out some pioneer-era trees. So, a new petition was circulated at the school, and the response from the road people was that they didn't really care what a bunch of Jr High kids thought. So, we spent a couple of Saturdays out talking to neighbors about the trees, getting them to sign our petition.

Well, They relented, moved the road to run on the east side of the trees (vs the west side where it previously ran). They also decided that the area around the trees would become a park.



And, that is the story of Olympus Pines Park. It all started with an activist teacher.



The bush to the right of the sign is one of the few plants we planted that day that has survived the past 16 years. I planted that bush.

-Bob

Brad Daw Facing Pressure on HB150

Tribune:

Rep. Brad Daw is defending his sponsorship of a new law that expands the Attorney General's office ability to demand information on internet and cell phone customers without getting a warrant.
Daw's Republican opponent, Calvin Harper, says delegates in Orem House District 60 need to know about Daw's support of the bill, which Harper says is unconstitutional and ripe for abuse.
"This is America, still," he said. "Do we really want people, no matter who they are, going and checking up on us, getting information from our cell phone providers, our internet providers? ... I'm all about letting the police do their job, but let's play fair. Let's not spy on people, because this is so subject to abuse down the road."
Pete Ashdown, president of the internet service provider XMission and a vocal critic of Daw's HB150, sent a letter to delegates in Daw's district blasting the legislation as an invasion of privacy that violates the Fourth Amendment protection against illegal searches.
"I wanted the delegates who were planning to re-elect this person fully aware of my point of view on HB150 and why I thought it was unconstitutional," said Ashdown, a Democrat.
On Monday, Daw responded in a letter to delegates that included the endorsement from two top officials with the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children task force and explained why Daw sponsored the legislation.
Daw said his bill balanced the need to enforce the law with an individual's right to privacy.
The new law allows the attorney general's investigators to obtain an administrative subpoena demanding internet providers and cell phone companies turn over customers' addresses, phone numbers, usage information and bank account numbers if law enforcement suspects an individual is using the service in a stalking or child kidnapping case.
Last year, the Legislature gave the attorney general the authority to demand that information in child sexual exploitation cases. Investigators issued about one subpoena a day since gaining the authority.
Daw said without the authority, investigators have to go to a judge or to the U.S. Attorney's office to get a subpoena for the information that "often put abducted children at grave risk," although he did not know of a specific example where that has occurred. He said he was relying on information provided by the attorney general's office.
Daw said he asked Jessica Farnsworth, the section chief for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for an endorsement and said her colleague, ICAC chief Ken Wallentine offered his, as well. The ICAC is also planning to give Daw an award for his work on the legislation.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said in an e-mail he supports his employees being involved in political campaigns and they can use their official titles, provided it is clear they do not speak for the attorney general or the office.
"My opponent is making it a major issue," Daw said. "As I talk to most people, there's some who have concerns about privacy, but it's a small handful. But that's OK. I'm happy to explain it to whoever and tell them what I did and why I did it."
Delegates in the Orem district could decide the race at the Utah County convention on Saturday or send both to a primary run-off.

Originally, Daw's bill sought to allow law enforcement to issue the warrant-free subpoenas to investigate any "criminal activity," but it was watered down after lawmakers objected to the breadth of the proposal.
The legislation was opposed by groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union on the left to the Utah Eagle Forum and The Sutherland Institute on the right.

Delegate Email From Christopher Stout: Thank You

Dear Friends,

Congratulations on being elected as a delegate! It is truly a dedication and sacrifice from people like you that make the democratic process work. I'm sure you can agree that it is important to be such a central part of the democratic process, one that I know personally to be both exciting and rewarding.

My name is Christopher Stout, and I am seeking the democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. For the next few weeks, hundreds of people will participate in their county conventions all across Utah – a massive amount of work and time all culminating in the state convention on May 8. I am asking for your support at convention.
This year’s election is critical to the future of our party, state, and country. We need a candidate that knows the issues, can communicate with the majority of the electorate and posses the drive, and has the acumen and skill to run a powerful campaign against an entrenched majority.

Take the time to visit my website, www.stout2010.com, to learn more about our campaign, our key issues, and how you can participate in the coming weeks and months. Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions you may have. It's essential to our campaign’s success, and I would be honored to have your delegate vote, and would appreciate your help and support as we work to build a better future for Utah and a brighter, stronger future for our country.

Thank you,

Christopher Stout

Delegate Email: Peter Corroon Endorses Jim Matheson

April 20, 2010
Dear Utah Democratic Delegate:
Our party has a lot on the line this year. We need to build on the progress our candidates have made at the local and county level by returning Jim Matheson to Congress, supporting our Democratic legislative candidates, keeping our Salt Lake County Council majority and taking back the Utah governor’s office.
Ever since Jim Matheson was first elected, he has been an asset to our state and a champion for our values. Just to name a few of Jim’s accomplishments:
• Jim has blocked the development and testing of new nuclear weapons.
• Jim forced the Department of Energy to safely clean up the radioactive waste on the banks of the Colorado River.
• Jim stood up to EnergySolutions bringing in the world’s nuclear garbage.
• Jim backed fair wage and labor standards.
• Jim has fought against poverty.
• Jim has helped expand mass transit to clean the air.
Over the past 10 years, Jim Matheson has done more for our party than simply win his Congressional races. He has put money into party organization. His field planning and get-out-the-vote efforts have bolstered Democratic candidates throughout the 2nd CD. And he has persuaded key independent and moderate Republican voters to abandon straight-party ticket voting in favor of crossing over to support Democrats.
I urge you to stand with me in support of Jim Matheson at the State Convention on May 8th. This is about representing Utah values and furthering the progress we have made as Democrats in a place where Republicans have called the shots for way too long.
Let’s unite behind Jim Matheson and give every Utah Democrat the best possible chance to win in November.
Sincerely,
Peter Corroon

Delegate Email: Rep. Brian King & Attorneys Endorse Sim Gill

Dear Bob,
I am honored to announce the endorsement of State Representative and Attorney Brian S. King. Brian has joined a host of many from the legal community endorsing my campaign, including:

David Yocom, Former Salt Lake County District Attorney
Bud Ellett, Former Deputy District Attorney
Harold G. Christensen, Former Deputy US Attorney General
Raymond S. Uno, Retired 3rd District Court Judge
Richard C. Howe, Retired Chief Justice, Utah Supreme Court
F. John Hill, Retired Director, Legal Defenders Association
Rocky Anderson
Gil Athay
Cullen Battle
Francis Carney
David S. Dolowitz
Thomas J. Erbin
Russell Fericks
David E. Gee
Lincoln Hobbs
Rick Knuth
Perrin Love
Scott Loveless
Scott McCoy
Blake Nakamura
Doug Owens
Stewart Ralphs
Pat Shea
George R. Sutton
Ron Yengich
I am proud to have the support of such a diverse and talented group of Utah attorneys. Join them in supporting my campaign at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention, Saturday, April 24th, and cast your delegate vote for Sim Gill!
Kindest Regards,

Sim Gill, Candidate
Salt Lake County District Attorney

Delegate Email From Greg Skordas: Who Would You Hire

WHO WOULD YOU HIRE?

Dear Delegate,

The District Attorney’s office is different from other elected offices. The District Attorney is the people of Salt Lake County’s attorney who is responsible for both civil and criminal cases. While the District Attorney does interact with legislators and other elected officials, the bulk of the DA’s interactions are with other attorneys, law enforcement officials and judges.
Below is a list of attorneys that have endorsed my candidacy. These people know who has a significantly higher level of experience in handling felony cases and civil litigation. When you are making your decision on who to vote for at the SL County DA, I urge you to ask any individual that works in the legal community or criminal justice system. Ask a cop. Ask any judge. Ask other attorneys. Ask the people that interact with the District Attorney on a regular basis. They will tell you that we need a change in the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office and they will tell you that I am their choice. Do not let anyone tell you that they have the same level of experience as I do. I worked in the DA’s office for 8 years and have successfully run my own law firm for over 15 years. I have tried numerous serious felony cases including murder, rape and robbery. I am also an experienced civil litigator and victim’s rights advocate. Just this week I won two jury trials against Sim Gill’s and Lohra Miller’s offices. I have the skills and ability to teach, guide and mentor the line prosecutors at the DA’s office.
Greg’s Supporters in the Legal Community:
• R. Paul Van Dam, Former Utah Attorney General & SL County DA
• Jan Graham, Former Utah Attorney General
• Gene Strate, Carbon County Attorney
• Jeremiah C. Humes, Deputy Carbon County Attorney
• Loren Weiss
• Chad Derum
• Rebecca Hyde Skordas
• Harry Caston
• Lesley Manley
• Tasha Williams
• Chad Noakes
• Kathy Dryer
• David F. Mull
• Alan Andersen
• Beth Whitsett
• Jon V. Harper
• Shirlene Bastar
• Kristine Rogers
• Joseph L. Nemelka
• Kathy D. Dryer
• Tracey M. Watson
• Abraham Bates
• Phil Wormdahl
• Ruth McCloskey
• Charles Greenhawt
• Kate Lahey
• Randy Dryer
• James T. Blanch
• Alan Robert Thorup
• James T. Jensen
• Alan Enke
• Dennis A. Gladwell
• Clark W. Sessions
• Randall Trueblood
• Kelly Cardon
• Michael Labertew
• Brent Manning
• Fran Wikstrom
• Jeffrey Hunt
• Joyce Maughan
• David Leta
• Ira Rubinfeld
• Joyce Harper
• Nick Colessides
• Tyler Ayres
We are excited to be involved in this very important race and we look forward to seeing you at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention, Saturday, April 24th. Please feel free to contact me personally at the numbers listed below. I welcome your call.
Kindest Regards,
Greg Skordas,
801-531-7444 (Office)
801-550-6156 (Cell)

Delegate Email From Sim Gill - Sorry I missed you

Dear Bob,

Recently, I tried to contact you to ask your support as a delegate in my race for Salt Lake County District Attorney. While I wasn’t able to reach you, I would love to talk with you about my campaign and the vision I have for restoring the public trust in the DA’s office.

I have devoted my professional life to public service. For the last fifteen years, I have worked in tandem with other criminal justice professionals developing effective programs to better address our criminal justice problems. As chief prosecutor for Salt Lake City, I manage the largest municipal prosecutor’s office in the State and have collaborated with policy makers to safeguard tax dollars and maximize outcomes. This is more than a merely a job or political hobby, this is my passion and faith in good, ethical and competent government.

Since making the decision to run again, I have been flooded by a wave of positive support. From Mayor Peter Corroon and Mayor Ralph Becker to numerous state legislators, party leaders and delegates, I am deeply grateful to them all for taking the time to offer their advice and encouragement. I thank all of these individuals, and the many others who have already lined up to support me for their belief in my ability to win. And make no mistake; I am in this race to win.

Your support is essential to our success. I would be honored if you would make the commitment to cast your delegate vote for my campaign at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention. The convention will be held Saturday, April 24th, at West High School, 241 North 300 West, Salt Lake City.

I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to call 801-230-1209 or email me at campaign@votesim.com if you have any questions about my campaign. I look forward to hearing from you soon and hope I can count on your support!
Kindest Regards,

Sim Gill, Candidate
Salt Lake County District Attorney

Utah's House Democrats Out Fundraised Republicans

Granted, most of it is Jim Matheson, but still.....

From the FEC:

Republicans:
Receipts: $502,913
Disbursements: $344,579
Cash on Hand: $280,752
Debts: $49,859

Democrats:
Receipts: $996,218
Disbursements: $265,548
Cash on Hand: $1,435,175
Debts: $642

-Bob

Channel 4's Lazy reporting

Why pay to conduct your own poll when you can just use someone's insider poll?

From KTVX:

SALT LAKE (ABC 4 News) - Utah Senator Bob Bennett may no longer be the front-runner for his own party's nomination.

According to reliable Republican sources, Bennett now trails GOP challenger Mike Lee by a significant amount among GOP delegates.

According to our sources, Mike Lee's campaign has conducted two large surveys in the last month.

Each polled between a quarter and a third of the delegates to next month's Republican state convention.

Reportedly, Mike Lee is first with 37 percent of the delegate vote.

Bennett is said to be second at 22 percent.

Tim Bridgewater, according to information given to ABC 4, is third at 20.5%

And Cherilyn Eagar, we're told, is in 4th place at 13% of those polled.

Here's the problem I have with this:

How do we know this was an unbiased poll?

After all, if you're going to be leaking a poll (especially with that much detail), to Chris Vancour, why does it have to be accurate?

For all we know, The question was "If the convention was today, which of the following candidates would you vote for? Mike "Superhero" Lee, Bob "Old Fart Who Likes Big Banks" Bennett, Tim "Nobody" Bridgewater, or Crazy Cherilyn Eagar?"

-Bob

Delegate Email: Who's Endorsing Claudia Wright?

Dear Delegate,
It is my honor to announce the following list of endorsements for my campaign for the US House of Representatives. It has been a privilege to talk with these leaders of our community who are working so diligently in their endeavors to support Democratic values in the state of Utah and beyond. It is my hope that my campaign and my future service as your Representative inspires new and fertile coalition among Utahns and breathes new life into our Democratic party!

Sincerely,
Claudia Wright

Executive Board of Utah Stonewall Democrats
Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson
Representative Christine Johnson
Former Salt Lake City Council Member Nancy Saxton
Former Chair of Utah Stonewall Democrats Michael Picardi

Michael Binyon, candidate, Utah House of Representatives District 55
David Cobb, Green Party US Presidential candidate, movetoamend.org

Ashley Anderson
Archie Archuleta
Robert Comstock
Tim DeChristopher
Earl Jones
Jill B Jones
Brian Moench
Stephanie Pace
Julie Peacock
Ron Spinelli
Joyce Spinelli
Janet Rampton Warburton
Julianne Waters
John Weisheit
Troy Williams

Our Wonderful "Small Government" Legislature In Action

Tribune:

A key member of the state Board of Regents has resigned in protest over lawmakers' approval of Weber State University's proposed engineering program, denouncing it as an unwarranted reach into Regents' policy-setting authority.
Anthony Morgan, an emeritus University of Utah administrator who chaired the Regents' academics committee, said the move sets a "dangerous precedent."

"It represents a very significant and unprecedented level of interference in academic issues," Morgan wrote in his April 2 letter of resignation to Gov. Gary Herbert. "If local legislative interests are not restrained, either by self discipline or by legislative leadership or by you, we could easily have a higher education system where the establishment and distribution of academic programs is designed by local political interests rather than academic and economic criteria."

The governor shares Morgan's concerns and appreciates his service to the state, according to spokeswoman Angie Welling.

"Governor Herbert strongly believes there is a need for improved communication between the Board of Regents and the Legislature, and will be proactive in fostering better communication in the future," Welling wrote in an e-mail. In his signing statement on SB52, Herbert described lawmakers' foray into academic programming as a "one-time" deviation from normal policy-setting rules.

"Because I support meeting this regional economic development need, I am willing to allow, as an exception, this legislative direction to the Regents," Herbert wrote. "On the whole, the state is best served by allowing the established process for program review within the System of Higher Education and the Board of Regents to continue."

Morgan, who is halfway through his six-year term, resigned two days after Herbert signed SB52, a bill whose original thrust was to mandate greater rural representation on the board that oversees higher education policy. But an 11th-hour amendment added Weber's proposed engineering program. Under state law, approval of new programs rests with Regents.

"If the Board of Regents is not allowed to make these decisions based on rational criteria rather than political power, then there is no reason for me to spend my time assisting in the design a system of higher education that meets the legitimate needs of Utahns at the lowest possible cost and at desired levels of program quality," Morgan wrote.

Gov Herbert is saying that he doesn't believe in the Legislature encroaching on other people's jobs, except when they feel like they need to, as an exception to the rule.

I believe that Gary Herbert is a brilliant guy, except for when he shows his politician side....

-Bob

I Should Crash Tea Party/GOP Rally Tomorrow

So, I read this with great glee in this morning's Political Cornflakes from the Tribune:

And tomorrow the Republican establishment is joining forces with a Utah tea party group to hold rallies. The party starts at the Capitol at noon with Gov. Gary Herbert and then moves to the old Utah County Court at 5:30. Everyone is invited, but as the email says: “BRING FAMILY FRIENDLY SIGNS. RACIST, BIGOTED, OR OFFENSIVE SIGNS--NOT WELCOME.”

So, I'm thinking of showing up with some signs of my own:

"My Fed Taxes Down, My State Taxes Up. Thank-you Republicans!"
"Hey, you! Get off my lawn! -Taxpayer"
"Render Unto Ceasar... -Jesus"
"I'm happy my taxes went to fund RioTinto Stadium. I heart small government!"
"Your taxes pay for both sides of Mark Shurtleff's Lawsuits"
"I'm glad Bush tanked the economy so I could be unemployed and attend this noon rally on a weekday!"

Any other suggestions?

-Bob

Delegate Email: Labor Groups Endorse Sim Gill

Dear Bob,
I am excited to announce the Utah AFL-CIO, Central Federation of Labor, Operating Engineers Local 3 and the Salt Lake Police Association have endorsed my campaign for Salt Lake County District Attorney. It has been a pleasure to meet with the leaders of labor organizations here in Salt Lake County and share my passion and admiration for their dedication to hard working families throughout the state. I am sincerely grateful for their support of my campaign!
Please join them at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention on Saturday, April 24th, and cast your delegate vote for Sim Gill!
Kindest Regards,

Sim Gill, Candidate
Salt Lake County District Attorney

A Delegate's Thoughts on Trinkets

I've been a Democratic delegate since 2004. However, this is the first time I have been able to vote in a close race at convention.

In fact, I'll get to vote in three or four close races between the state and county conventions.

This year, I've only been a delegate for a short time, but I thought this was funny when I read it in today's Political Cornflakes from the Trib:

Salt Lake Democratic delegate Christopher Katis tells us he has had enough of the cookies and buttons and little trinkets left at his doorstep. He’s also tired of the invites to meet and greets over every conceivable meal. “I may end up voting for the candidates who haven’t left a gift at my door or invite me to any parties,” he says. And this comes with more than three weeks remaining before the conventions.

I expected the phone calls and the emails and the meet-and-greet invitations. However, I really didn't expect the goody bags.

Well, it's been two goody bags thus far. One contained a cookie with the candidate's name on it (but horrible taste), a unique button for my collection (yes, I collect them), and and invite to some meet and greets the candidate was hosting.

The other goody bag contained a very cool notepad, some salt water taffy, and an invite to a meet and greet.

What neither gift bag did was give me any indication of why I should vote for them.

Do they think I can be bought with cool trinkets? I have a much higher price than that... :)

Delegate Email From Claudia Wright

Hello, Fellow Democrat! Congratulations on becoming a delegate to the upcoming Utah State Democratic Convention. My name is Claudia Wright. I am writing to request your support as the Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives in Utah's District 2.

In the weeks ahead, you will receive phone calls from me or one of my small staff of committed volunteers. I want to make you familiar with my positions on some of the issues I believe are important to you, so that you are prepared to ask any questions you may have in order to make an informed and confident decision as you cast your vote on May 8.

Contribute Volunteer


Why I believe Utah needs a progressive Democrat in Congress:

Americans expect our representatives to be accountable to their constituents, not to corporate interests and lobbyists.

Utah Democrats expect their representatives to support basic Utah Democratic party platform principles.

Ordinary citizens must take back the election process and reclaim grassroots democracy.

My position on corporate money in politics:

The recent US Supreme Court ruling designating corporations as people makes the buying of American elections inevitable. In order to correct this, two remedies are necessary:

Elections must be publicly financed and only publicly financed.

We must pass a constitutional amendment that strips corporations of their claim to “personal constitutional rights.”

My position on health care:

Health care is a civil right.

The US spends more than any other industrialized nation on health care but ranks 37th among industrialized nations for quality of health care because one third of every health care dollar is spent on administrative costs. The truth is that better health care costs less.

The simplest way to make health care affordable and universally available is to expand the existing Medicare system (one of the most popular and effective innovations in American history, and a champion in minimizing administrative costs) to all Americans.

My position on labor and unions:
Labor unions are an essential underpinning of a safe and humane workplace.
Although workers' rights to collective bargaining and binding arbitration is protected by the Wagner Act, battles won by workers in the workplace are often lost in the courts because of the National Labor Relations Board's lack of enforcement.
I support the Employee Free Choice Act, reinforcing workers' rights to collective bargaining and binding arbitration, and the right to unionize without their employer's permission.
My position on the climate crisis and the environment:
Every US state and every world nation has a responsibility to protect our shared future.

We must protect Utah's water, wildlife, working farms and ranches by creating and enforcing tougher emissions controls and employing strategies for emissions reduction. Use of existing technologies, incentives, and a federal carbon tax will advance this goal.

Utah is already among the 5 fastest growing states for wind energy. Utah must lead the nation, and the US must lead the world, in creating new jobs in the wind power, geothermic, and solar industries, moving beyond the fossil fuels of the past.

My position on immigration:

The Dream Act 2010, currently before Congress, might initiate immigration reform but is not a comprehensive reform policy.

Congress must approach immigration reform with rigorous compassion and honesty.

Doing nothing creates an underclass of undocumented workers who are unconscionably exploited.

I invite you to visit my website, www.claudiawrightforutah.org, and click on “Issues” to learn more about my positions on these and other issues. You can learn more about my history as an educator and activist and about the history of this campaign there as well. You can contact me by replying to this email.

Thank you for participating in the grassroots democratic process! I welcome conversation with you, and I would be honored to earn your vote.

Sincerely,

Claudia Wright

Ron Paul: Obama Not a Socialist

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Ron Paul here.

Republicans and tea party activists are fond of accusing President Barack Obama of being a socialist, but today party gadfly Ron Paul said they had it wrong.

“In the technical sense, in the economic definition, he is not a socialist,” the Texas Republican said to a smattering of applause at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.

“He’s a corporatist,” Paul quickly added, meaning the president takes “care of corporations and corporations take over and run the country.”

Delegate Email-- Holly Mullen for SL County Council

Dear Democratic delegate:

First, if I haven't yet spoken to you by phone or at your doorstep while delivering my campaign goodies, thank you for your decision to become a party delegate. I am impressed with your commitment to grass roots involvement in the Democratic Party. It should pay good dividends this year!

I'm thrilled to share a link with you from today's issue of The Salt Lake Tribune. It turns out my hard work at fund raising and outreach to you and many others in the Salt Lake County Council at-large race is paying off. I've outdone every council candidate so far in raising money--Democratic and Republican--by nearly four times. A handful of those donations are more than $1,000. But in fact, the vast majority are between $50 and $100. I feel great about that. It means I am reaching average, working people with my message about improving air quality, protecting vital social services delivery such as mental health and aging programs, creating jobs and advancing the cause of equal rights for everyone--regardless of sexual orientation.

These are values the Republican Party would love to undermine by taking control of the current Democratically controlled County Council. Republicans would like to turn back our great progress of the last few years. In short, the GOP wants the county back and will be spending lots of money to get it. Let's not allow that to happen!

With my fund raising ability and my powerful platform, I hope to come out of our April 24 County Convention with 60 percent or better of the delegate vote. This way, I can go straight to battling the Republican candidate for this seat. It will take very cent and most of my time and energy to win in November. I would love to forgo the expense and time of a primary election against my Democratic opponent. Won't you help me bypass that hurdle with your vote?

Finally, please join me on Tuesday, April 13 for an open house at the Market Street Oyster Bar in Cottonwood Heights at 2985 East 6850 South. We'll have lovely appetizers for you and a chance to chat about my campaign and the issues that concern you. Please stop by between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Thanks and best regards,

Holly Mullen
Democrat for Salt Lake County Council at-large

Here is the link to the Tribune story:

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14825769

Delegate Email From Sim Gill - Legislator Endorsements

Dear Bob,
21 out of 27 Salt Lake County Democratic legislators endorse Sim Gill for Salt Lake County District Attorney!
Rep. Sue Duckworth, District 22
Rep. Jennifer Seelig, District 23
Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, District 24
Rep. Christine Johnson, District 25
Rep. Brian King, District 28
Rep. Janice Fisher, District 29
Rep. Larry Wiley, District 31
Rep. Neal Hendrickson, District 33
Rep. Mark Wheatley, District 35
Rep. Phil Riesen, District 36
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, District 37
Rep. Lynn Hemingway, District 40
Rep. Laura Black, District 45
Rep. Jay Seegmiller, District 49
Sen. Luz Robles, District 1
Sen. Ben McAdams, District 2
Sen. Gene Davis, District 3
Sen. Pat Jones, District 4
Sen. Karen Mayne, District 5
Sen. Karen Morgan, District 8
Sen. Brent Goodfellow, District 12

These legislators know the importance of having a candidate on the ballot who will do the hard work necessary for success and I am proud to have their support. Please join them at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention on Saturday, April 24th, and cast your delegate vote for Sim Gill!

Delegate Email From Jim Matheson

Dear Friend,

The Wasatch Front Canyons are the stunning backdrop to our capital city. They are also the source of clean drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Salt Lake Valley residents, as well as a beautiful playground for millions of residents and visitors.

Ever since the Mormon pioneers camped by the mouth of City Creek in 1847, our prosperity and our quality of life has been linked to the abundant, clean water flowing from these canyons. Protecting that watershed and conserving the natural beauty is the goal behind federal legislation I will introduce.

The Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act is the culmination of months of stakeholder meetings. Diverse groups such as the Salt Lake City Water Department, Snowbird Ski Resort, Save our Canyons, mountain-bikers and outdoor businesses collaborated on the issues that needed to be resolved. Compromise meant that no one group received everything it wanted but everyone agrees on the ultimate goal: protect the watershed and preserve the outdoor experience.

My legislation designates over 26,000 acres of wilderness and special management area protection on Grandeur Peak, Mt Olympus, Twin Peaks and Lone Peaks. A new wilderness area—7,759 acres that includes the north drainage of Mill Creek Canyon and the southern drainage of Parley’s Canyon—will be named after the late 2nd District Congressman Wayne Owens. It is a fitting tribute in honor of his tireless advocacy on behalf of Utah public lands.

Utahns see these canyons as their beautiful backyard—a place to get away outdoors and to enjoy some ‘down’ time with their families. Many happy memories that include picnics, hiking, snowshoeing, rock-climbing or just relaxing have taken place there.

You can read more about the legislation in this news report. Please contact me and let me know what you think about efforts to expand wilderness and protect our drinking water.

Pat Bagley's RNC Cartoon

Delegate Email From Greg Skordas: Who Would You Hire

Dear Delegate,

Congratulations on being elected as a delegate and volunteering your time. Your commitment to the Democratic Party is essential to our success. My name is Greg Skordas and I'm running for Salt Lake County District Attorney. In the coming weeks, I hope to speak to all of you personally. In the meantime, please view this special message I have prepared for you.



We can't afford to lose the Salt Lake County District Attorney's race again. I'm ready to use my experience to take back the DA's office for the people of Salt Lake County. I would appreciate your support at the Salt Lake County Convention on April 24th at West High School. For more information about me and my campaign please visit www.skordas4da.com.

Thanks for your support!

Greg Skordas

I'm a Delegate! I'll be posting Delegate emails

At last months caucus meetings, I failed to be elected as a delegate (we actually had a bona fide election for delegate this time, a first). However, since there were unfilled delegate slots, I was named as one of the left over delegates (I wish I could remember what they call it).

I started getting emails from candidates almost as soon as I found out I got the delegate position. I'll be passing these emails along in a series I'll call "Delegate emails."

-Bob

Calling BS on Sen. Waddoups

The first segment on KSL's Sunday Edition with Bruce Lindsay dealt with redistricting in Utah. In the early part of the program, Senate President Michael Waddoups was asked in Congressional District 2 (held by Jim Matheson) was gerrymandered. His answer:

"This district was drawn, along with the other two districts, specifically to have an equal number of constituents through the district," he says. "All three districts have exactly the same number. All three have rural parts of the state in them. All three have parts of Salt Lake County. The intention in drawing this, was to have equality of rural and urban and equality of numbers."

In the 1990's, District 2 was contained entirely within Salt Lake County. Now, it contains portions of Salt Lake and Utah Counties, as well as all of Wasatch, Duchesne, Daggett, Uintah, Carbon, Uintah, Emery, Grand, San Juan, Wayne, Piute, Garfield, Kane, Iron, and Washington Counties.

Now, all three districts radiate from where UT-201 ("The 21st South Freeway") crosses the Jordan River.

Also, do these boundaries make sense to anyone?



The white areas above belong to Rob Bishop. The grey areas belong to Jim Matheson. There's no secret that this is one of the most Liberal neighborhoods in Utah, and has been for a long time. It's just a coincidence that this is where they chose to get their equal population numbers, right?

-Bob

A Conservative's Op-Ed For Health Care

As published in the Ogden Standard-Examiner. Bold provided by me.

As an American and a resident of Weber County, I salute President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for pushing the health care reform bill through the legislative process. Until the administration of George W. Bush, I was an avid Republican and served in the Reagan and Bush (senior) administrations as a political appointee. But I will not allow Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh to define conservatism for me, nor will I accept the half-truths and invectives with which they pollute the airways.

Those who listen to these hate-mongers should realize that they have become millionaires by peddling the views they do. I recall Limbaugh frequently stating that he hoped Obama would fail. That is tantamount to wishing America would fail for Obama is our freely elected president.

What has happened to civility in this country? I did not vote for Obama but we, the American people, did. I consider myself an American, not a Utahn. I served 23 years in the United States Air Force and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

For as long as he is president, I will respect the office of president and the person who occupies it. It is pure hypocrisy or worse for those who legislate (many, if not most of whom are millionaires) to try to deny basic insurance coverage to middle- and lower-class Americans. We must understand that each member of the House of Representatives and each senator -- Republican and Democrat -- has health insurance with the major portion of their premiums being paid by the taxpayer. I know because I having worked in the government also have such a policy. Where is the "justice for all" in this?

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would extend coverage to 32 million Americans who lack it and cut deficits by an estimated $138 billion over a decade. If realized, the expansion of coverage would include 95 percent of all eligible individuals under age 65.

For the first 10 years, it will cost about $100 billion a year. This is about the yearly cost of the Iraq War. Why is providing health care to Americans less desirable than invading and fighting a protracted war in a country far away that did not threaten us?

Republicans constantly assert that we will pay more taxes. Wait a minute. Who will pay more taxes? Not people in my income bracket! In fact, we may well see tax relief. Those who will be taxed more are families whose income exceeds $250,000 annually or singles whose income is at $200,000. Why do those who claim we will pay more taxes never mention these details?

The insurance industry, which spent millions on advertising trying to block the bill, would come under new federal regulation. They would be forbidden from placing lifetime dollar limits on policies, from denying coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions and from canceling policies when a policyholder becomes ill. Does the ordinary citizen understand that CEOs of insurance companies make millions of dollars every year? Some make as much as $24 million a year. Is this what we mean by free enterprise?

Never in the more than 15 years that I have resided in Europe have I met a person who wanted to trade their health care system for ours. I had a hip replacement performed in Germany. The procedure was no different or the care less than that I received for a like operation at McKay-Dee in Ogden.

It is disingenuous to say that we will receive inferior care under the legislation that Obama has signed. It is equally devious to cite horror cases from England or Canada. We have enough of our own. And it is simply wrong to call this socialized medicine knowing that people tend to associate socialism with communism.

Finally, my religious faith believes that governments are instituted of God for the good of the people -- all people, not just the rich and privileged! We are often reminded of our duty to care for the less fortunate. I therefore find it odd that the residents of this state are so anti-Obama.

West Haven resident Lynn M. Hansen received a B.A. from Utah State University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Utah. Appointed ambassador by President Reagan, he served as head of the U.S. Delegation to the Geneva Conference on Disarmament and later with the CIA as vice-chairman of the National Ingelligence Council. He recently returned from Hamburg, Germany, where he served as LDS mission president.

For Some, Politics > Religiion

Several years ago, I was having a conversation with a couple of friends (S. and D.) in the parking lot of our LDS wardhouse after church one Sunday. D could not understand how S and I could vote for both Republicans and Democrats. S said "My political party is not my religion."

It offended D so much that I laughed at S's comment, I don't think he and I have talked much since.

(Incidentally, both are running for the Legislature this year. D as a Republican and S as a Libertarian.)

I was reminded of that conversation when I read this last week in the Tribune:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was invited by a fellow Mormon to give a fireside talk at an LDS stake center in Las Vegas last weekend and readily agreed to speak about his conversion to the faith and his belief in its gospel.
But when word got out that Reid was speaking, the reaction was so nasty the fireside was canceled for fear the meeting would turn violent.

Organizers of the fireside reportedly received e-mails and phone messages threatening that if Reid spoke before the congregation, they would heckle him inside the chapel and harass him with demeaning signs and slogans.

Those familiar with the planned meeting say his talk was not intended to be political, but only about his spiritual awakening and connection to the LDS Church.

Maybe it would be more acceptable to some of the more vitriolic church members there if they got Glenn Beck to speak in his place -- or, perhaps, the other Nevada senator: John Ensign.

Matheson: Health Care Reform Needs More Work

Editorial from Congressman Jim Matheson, printed in the Salt Lake Tribune April 4, 2010:

During my time in Congress, there may have been only a handful of issues that have captured people's attention and generated as much passionate debate as health care. For the last year, our country has been engaged in an intense conversation about how important health care reform is and about how important it is to get it right.
I certainly respect the passion that is out there, and the emotion around the health care issue. It affects everyone so personally, including me. Now, after so much debate, a new health care policy has been signed into law. The emotions remain and I hold out great hope that more work can be done on reform.
Ever-rising costs and growing ranks of the uninsured illustrate why health care reform is needed.
There are policies in the new law we all embrace. Now, in our country, people will not be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. That is a blessing to so many. Now, in our country, more children and young adults will have coverage. For so many families, that will mean peace of mind.
However I want to be clear about a critically important goal that still remains. After all the wrangling, the new law is too expensive, contains too many special deals, does not do enough to contain health care costs and -- according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Actuary -- will result in increases in health insurance premiums for many Utahns. For those reasons and others, I could not support the bill.
Controlling rising health care costs, increasing quality and value and improving access to health care and to affordable health insurance coverage are critically important to me. But the wrong kind of reform -- which increases health care costs for individuals and for large and small employers -- does not accomplish those goals.
I rolled up my sleeves during this debate. I spent hours in health care hearings. I have met with White House officials and congressional leadership for hours to work toward language that would not just lower the growth of costs, but drive down costs to consumers. I have talked with thousands of Utahns about health care reform in general and this legislation in particular and in important areas it falls short. It does not come close to eliminating Medicare's long-term budget deficit.
Special deals benefiting Louisiana, Tennessee, Connecticut and Montana were left in the bill, benefits that were not extended to other states. The pilot programs for medical malpractice reform don't help doctors who are forced to practice defensive medicine, nor patients who are trapped in a dysfunctional system where 54 cents of every malpractice awarded dollar go to pay legal fees. The bloat and waste contributing to the fact that we spend 50 percent more on health care than the next industrialized country -- while our medical outcomes are merely average -- isn't addressed.
You might think these concerns are too pessimistic, until you look at what has already happened in the case of one state that opted to implement increased coverage without implementing reforms to rein in the high cost of health care.
It has been three and a half years since Massachusetts enacted bipartisan legislation to provide health care coverage to nearly all state residents. It imposed an individual mandate for the purchase of health insurance.
Since its inception, 430,000 people have gained coverage -- a good thing. However, Massachusetts did not enact reforms to address rising health care costs.
Since then, the demand for care -- particularly in medically underserved communities -- has increased. But escalating health care costs are already preventing some newly-insured residents from getting care. In fact, one in five residents went without needed care in the past year because of cost. People with disabilities and those in poor health experienced the greatest barriers. Also, Massachusetts now suffers from some of the worst primary care wait times in the country, despite having the highest concentration of doctors nationwide.
One state health plan and its hospital -- Cambridge Hospital -- had some HIV and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients experience an interruption in their care because they couldn't afford increased co-payments. In Massachusetts, growth in health care costs has compromised the effort to provide health insurance coverage.
While it is important that a means be found to enable everyone (including those who are currently uninsured) to be able to afford health insurance, achieving that goal cannot occur at the expense of people who are presently insured. The challenge of reforming our health care system -- especially cost containment -- still confronts us.
The passion around this debate is important. We need robust debate to make good policy and I embrace those difficult conversations. A year of debate is a long time, but there is a decade of work ahead to move this policy to a place where it can meet the ultimate goal of increasing coverage and lowering costs to Americans.

Interesting Poll Spin from Herbert Campaign

From the Herbert Campaign Blog, March 25:

A recent poll by the non-partisan "Utah Foundation" proves why the best choice for Utah governor this year IS the Governor. Governor Herbert's focus on jobs, economic development, education, infrastructure, and energy development is right in line with what Utahn's expect from their Governor.

Interesting. While I could find information about economic development, education, infrastructure, and energy development on Herbert's Issues page, I also found information about economic development, education, infrastructure, and energy development on Peter Corroon's Vision page.

Note that infrastructure was not listed as one of the top 10 issues identified by the Utah Foundation poll, which can be found here.

As far as differences on the issues go, that's a post for a later date. However, I do want to point out a couple of things that are big changes in how people felt compared to 2008.

Is Utah's Quality of life better than five years ago?

Much Better 3% (7%)
Somewhat Better 13% (30%)
About The Same 37% (37%)
Somewhat Worse 41% (17%)
Much Worse 4% (5%)
Don't Know 2% (4%)
(Numbers in parentheses from 2008)

I wonder how the numbers would have looked last year at the start of Herbert's ascending to the Governor's seat.

Granted, those numbers somewhat reflect the general state of the economy. However, let's take a look at right track/wrong track numbers:

Is Utah Headed in the Right Direction?

Right Track: 51% (68%) [65%]
Wrong Track: 36% (20%) [23%]
Don't Know: 13% (13%) [12%]
(Numbers in parentheses from 2008)[Numbers in brackets from 2004]

So, significantly fewer people think Utah's headed in the right direction than did just two years ago, before Gary Herbert took over as Governor.

Peter Corroon Haciendo Buenas Obras

Paul Rolly, March 28

Byron Russell, vice president of development at Western Governor's University, says that during a morning commute in January, he was driving on West Temple between 300 and 400 South when he noticed two cars stopped at what appeared to be an accident. As he drove by, he noticed a person lying on the pavement. He apparently had been struck and was dragged several feet forward from the crosswalk. Russell says it was evident the accident had just occurred, because the police and paramedics had not yet arrived. All Russell could see in the dark was this injured man on his back shivering in the snow. Russell ran to his car to fetch an overcoat and as he began to place it over the injured man, he noticed Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon hunched over the man, holding his hand and speaking to him in Spanish. Corroon was the only one of the passers-by who had stopped who could comfort the man in his own language