ENDORSEMENT: Stout for Senate -- Substance over Style

I like Sam Granato. I was excited to see what he had to offer when he first started running.

However, other than his friendships with "Mr Mac" Christiansen and Frank Layden, delicious food, and the ability to identify that the Government is not doing things well, I don''t really see where he has brought anything to the race.

Yet, the more that I look at Christopher Stout, the more I like him.

Not only does he identify the problems we are facing, he provides solutions, more than most candidates at this stage of a campaign.

Stout has been labeled as the more Liberal of the two Democrats running for this seat, mostly because of the company he is keeping.

However, does this sound like a typical "Liberal" candidate?

Many people have asked me, “Why do you want to run for U.S. Senate?” The answer is as complex as the many problems our nation faces today. First, and foremost, I believe that a Democrat can represent the people of Utah in the U.S. Senate. Many Democrats within Utah feel that the state isn’t willing to accept Democrats in the state’s highest offices. I disagree. We need more Democrats to step up and prove that we have the ability to identify issues and work towards resolutions that benefit the people of Utah. We have viable solutions to issues, we share common values with our Republican friends, and we can make a difference.

Second, the nation was founded on compromise, maintained by compromise, and successful because of compromise. In the Senate today, I see very little compromise. I see a Senate that is playing politics and pampers the special interests rather than meeting the needs of the People. The health care debate over the past year provided an insight to me, that many politicians and special interests groups aren’t really trying to help bring solutions to our issues. We must determine problems, offer solutions, reach compromises, and then revisit the issue again next year to see how well our compromises worked and reach more compromises until we have the best possible government that we can have. I believe that this effort is missing from our Senate representation. It is missing because we keep electing career politicians, and not representatives of the people. We must approach our solutions that are in the best interests of the people, not special interests, and not politicians.

It sounds like someone who knows what it will take to be an effective Senator for Utah.

And that's why I am endorsing Christopher Stout for US Senate.

-Bob Aagard

Read More about the candidates::
Sam Granato
Christopher Stout

Endorsement: Jeff Bell for Democratic Party Chair

The party that I see today is bold, innovative and adaptive. -Peter Corroon, endorsing Wayne Holland

While I love Peter Corroon, I couldn't disagree more with this statement.

Bold? Some definitions:

1. not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero.
2. not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent: He apologized for being so bold as to speak to the emperor.
3. necessitating courage and daring; challenging: a bold adventure.
4. beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action; imaginative: Einstein was a bold mathematician. a difficult problem needing a bold answer.
5. striking or conspicuous to the eye; flashy; showy: a bold pattern.
6. steep; abrupt: a bold promontory.

None of these are attributes I give to the Utah Democratic Party. If anything, they try too hard to NOT rock the boat.

Innovative? Having a web site for the sake of having a web site is so 2002. (in fact, the first campaign to utilize the internet effectively was Jesse Ventura in 1998.) Knocking on doors to win campaigns is a great idea, as Patrice Arent showed. However doing things that have been done before, and a decade earlier, is not innovative. (and, I'm sure Sen Arent didn't invent door knocking.)

Granted, the "run a candidate three times to win" thing is innovative, but not very expedient. And what successes there have been belie that strategy.

However, bold, innovative, and adaptive ARE words I'd use to describe Jeff Bell.

One need only look at the video Jeff created in reaction to Holland's "Bold in Utah" Campaign Web site.

Now, can you imagine that level of communication and counter punch, immediately after a dumb statement from Our Republican friends (Gary Herbert, Orrin Hatch, Jason Chaffetz, Gayle Buttars)?

That is the future. The Future can be now, if you join with me in voting for Jeff Bell for Utah Democratic Party Chair.

-Bob Aagard
Former state party employee
blogger, TheWorldAccordingToMe.us
Founder, Mormons for Obama, Mormons for Dean
Candidate, Salt Lake County Secretary 2005.

UPDATE: I'm going to be posting several posts about this race today and tomorrow. I'll include links below for you:

Jeff Bell on the issues

From The SideTrack

ENDORSEMENT: Curtis Haring for SLCounty Democratic 2nd Vice Chair

When looking at who to vote for in any election, it is important to look at what the person in that office is responsible for. For instance, someone's tax plan and service helping orphans in Cambodia are irrelevant if they are running for Dog Catcher. Likewise, a plan to rid the streets of problem strays isn't really an issue for candidates for President.

So, let's look at what the 2nd Vice Chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party is supposed to do:

D. The County Second Vice Chair shall:
1. Act as the First Vice Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer in the absence of those
officers.
2. Occupy the position of First Vice Chair, the Secretary, or Treasurer in the event
of those officers= deaths, resignations, or other disqualifications, until a successor
is elected,
3. Serve as the chair of the Platform Standing Committee,
4. Assist the County Chair with the specific duties of that office.

So, other than being around in case someone dies, the 2nd Vice Chair serves as chair of the platform committee. Fortunately, the party constitution gives us details on what that job entails as well:

D. The Platform Committee shall:
1. Be composed of the Second Vice Chair as chair, at least fifteen (15) members
including: a designee of any Democratic Candidate for County Office, a member
from each caucus of delegates represented at the preceding County Organizing
Convention, each Legislative District Chair or Vice Chair (but not both), and up to
five (5) members of the Central Committee selected by the County Chair who can
provide expert knowledge of the issues addressed by this Standing Committee,
2. Submit the platform or resolutions reports to the County Nominating Convention,
3. Create task forces to study issues for the Party,
4. Compile research on issues for use by candidates for public elected office,
5. Act as advocates for issues endorsed by the Central Committee,
6. Meet with a quorum of ten (10) members it deems necessary preceding the
Nominating Convention.

Given the amount of quality research he did and posted to his blog during the Legislative session, voting for Curtis Haring should be a no-brainer.

However, let's move beyond that, and go to the big picture. Curtis isn't just a candidate with ideas. He has a plan. He has outlined seven areas where the party can, and will with his help, do better. They are:

Goals as Second Vice Chair
Targeting
The Democratic Message
Early Candidate Recruitment
Informal Meetings
The East/West Divide
Digital Dominance

It is because of this vision that I am proud to endorse Curtis Haring for 2nd Vice Chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party.

-Bob Aagard

Endorsements

OK, so I haven't been able to post any endorsements until now, because I wanted to write nice big summaries, and make each one it's own post.

Well, with 32 hours until polls close, that just isn't going to happen. For some, I'll write brief snippets of why I am supporting them.

So, now you get my 11th hour endorsements.

If you live in their districts, I encourage you to vote for these people:

President: Barack Hussein Obama and Joe Biden (D)

U.S. House (UT-01): Morgan Bowen, because it's time Northern Utah has an effective leadership

U.S. House (UT-02): Justin Daniels (Write-in), because I just cant bring myself to vote for Matheson, and Dew's signs creep me out.

U.S. House (UT-03): Bennion Spencer (D)

Governor: "Superdell" Dell Schanze (L), because if we manage to get rid of Palin, Buttars, Bramble, Curtis, and Hughes, this blog will be a BORING place, and I need the entertainment.

Attorney General: Jean Welch Hill (D), effective, smart, knows the law.

Utah Senate 10: John Rendell (D), because we need someone who does not allow hate to run his life.

Utah Senate 16: RaDene Hatfield (D), because a check is not the same as cash.

Utah House 36: Shaun Kruger (L) -- I was going to endorse Drew Quinn (R), until she sent me mail talking about how she defended Utah's abortion bill in the 90's. Still can't bring myself to vote for Phil Reisen. And, you can't find a candidate more honorable and just than Shaun.

Utah House 38: Charles Henderson (D)

Utah House 39: Denise Hancock (D), someone who knows well the struggles of average Kearns residents.

Utah House 40: Dan Marriott (R). Honesty. Integrity. Those are words you don't hear me say about too many Republicans. However, Dan breaks the mold. He is not afraid to stand up for ethics reform, and will be a strong and smart voice for alternative energy.

Utah House 48: Trish Beck (D)

Utah House 49: Jay Seegmiller (D) because Greg Curtis rules with big government (see: RioT into Stadium)

Utah House 52: Dave Hogue (D) because Wimmer hates polar bears.

Salt Lake County Mayor: Peter Corroon (D)

Salt Lake County Council At-Large: Steven DeBry (R), because Randy H has misrepresented us long enough!

Salt Lake County Council District 4: Mark Crockett (R)

Salt Lake County COuncil District 2: Paul Pugmire (D)

Salt Lake County Proposition #1 & #2: Yes

Utah Constitution Amendment A-D: Yes

Utah Amendment E: Undecided.

A Note About Endorsements

I am going to start releasing my endorsements very soon.

With the exception of the Obama campaign, I have told NOBODY that they can use my name as an endorsement, as I have yet to endorse anyone.

I know of two candidates that have listed my name on their endorsement lists. One has already taken me off the web site with an apology. The other has not yet replied.

-Bob

State Convention Endorsements

Here is who has the official Bob Aagard "I'd vote for you" stamp of approval. Which means I've probably just jinxed all of these people.

National Delegate
CD01 Obama Male (2 positions available): Pete Ashdown, Joseph "Joe" Crockett
CD01 Obama Female (1 position + alternate): Nicole "Nikki" Norton, Angela Romero
CD01 Clinton Male (1 position): No Endorsement
CD01 Clinton Female (1 position): Breanne Miller
CD02 Obama Male (2 positions + alternate): Bob Aagard, Kurt Bestor
CD02 Obama Female (2 positions): Sheryl Ginsberg, Misty Fowler
CD02 Clinton Male (1 position): Donald K Dunn
CD02 Clinton Female (1 position): Jenny Wilson
CD03 Obama Male (1 + alternate): Charles G Henderson
CD03 Obama Female (1): No Endorsement
CD03 Clinton Male (1): Corey Rushton
CD03 Clinton Female (1): No Endorsement
PLEO Obama Male: Peter Corroon
PLEO Obama Female: Beth Holbrook
PLEO Clinton Male: Corey Rushton
At-Large: Any of the above not elected, Megan Risbon

DNC Committeeman (2012 Superdelegate): No Endorsement
DNC Committewoman (2012 Superdelegate): Patrice Arent

Governor: Bob Springmeyer

ENDORSEMENT: Daily Democrats for Utah County Democratic Executive Committee

I hereby declare my endorsement for the Executive Committee of the Utah County Democrats. I usually don't do any endorsements on a group level. However, The group calling itself the Daily Democrats is presenting a united front to bulid the Democratic Party in Utah County.

What they are promising:

1. a clear message
2. a permanent infrastructure
3. grassroots involvement
4. steady sources of funds
5. candidate recruitment and support.

These are great plans from great people.

Who are the Daily Democrats?

Mary Lou Huffmon is running for Chair. She is a retired reading specialist who has been involved with the League of Women Voters, as well as the County and State Democratic Parties.

Kena Mathews is running for Vice Chair. She is the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Utah County. She is currently chair of the Democratic Women of Utah County, former Deputy Finance Director for Wayne Owens, and former inter for Bill Orton.

Chris Stowe is running for Treasurer. He is a BYU student majoring in American Studies. He did work for the Christian Burridge and Jim Matheson campaigns. He runs the blog YDems.

Millicent Lewis is running for secretary. She is a stay at home mom and local artist who has been active in the Democratic Party for four years.

I hereby encourage all Delegates in Utah County to vote for the 4 Daily Democrat candidates as your next Executive Committee.