How to Go Negative Without Being a Jerk

Going negative in a political campaign, and especially engaging in personal attacks, rarely works in Utah. Candidates who go negative often look desperate and the tactic backfires. While criticizing an opponent’s record may be fair game, how it is done is important.

Writing in the March edition of Campaigns & Elections magazine (paid subscription required), GOP media consultant Robert Aho says going negative requires a light touch and a sense of humor. He says the Apple computer ad campaign poking fun at personal computers “holds a valuable lesson in the brave new world of influencing voters. … What Apple did is a textbook example of how to go negative in the 21st Century. They gave their product a personality.”

Creativity is important, Aho writes. “Be unique. Take a risk. Air a spot that grabs attention. … As Apple is proving, never underestimate the power of subtlety and humor. Voters aren’t stupid. They’ll get it.” He also said ads must stick to a simple, focused, message, and comparisons must be fairly drawn. “Every good negative ad has three attributes. It is well-documented and backed up by facts, not hearsay; relevant (to the voter, not you); and well-timed in the context of the campaign.”

Washington Watch

Hatch: $$ for Utah Roads
Sen. Orrin Hatch joins with his Senate colleagues "in approving a highway bill that frees up $38.5 million for vital Utah road projects" (see press release).

Cannon: Create Wi-Fi Network
Rep. Chris Cannon introduces the Wireless Internet Nationwide (WIN) Act of 2008, which would "help America make up lost ground in the global contest to adopt information and communications technologies" and "[open] new ways for family friendly protections to be implemented as a standard feature in advanced networks, recognizing the right to freedom of speech" (see press release).

International Gateway

The latest World Trade Center Utah newsletter features the University of Utah International Center, which has a goal to become Utah’s “international gateway.” The U. is bumping up its numbers of foreign students who call Utah home while earning a degree and has just reached pre-2001 levels.

Today in Political History

April 18, 1775:  Paul Revere rides to warn the British are coming. The War of American Independence begins.

April 18, 1943:   Small bands of desperate Jews in the Warsaw ghetto stage a futile uprising rather than submit to the Nazis' "final solution". The "Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto" that begins Passover Eve, April 18, ends 6 weeks later with 5,000 German troops killed and wounded, but 5,000 Jews are killed defending themselves against German tanks and artillery. (Source:  Perspicuity) 

Wise Words

“Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.”

—Helen Keller (Source:  Patriot Post) 

Utah History

St Mark’s Hospital began operation in 1872 and was sponsored by the Episcopal Church.

Question:  What was the original name of LDS Hospital;  who founded it and when?

Answer:  Deseret Hospital, Relief Society and 1882.

(source: Utah’s History by Richard D Poll,  Thomas G Alexander et al.,  Brigham Young University Press 1978.  Page 284) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- Boston Globe: "The first half of [Wednesday] night's debate in the august National Constitution Center in Philadelphia was a tawdry affair, as ABC news questioners called on Obama and Clinton to address a year's worth of dirty laundry, and each combatant eagerly grabbed at the chance to besmirch their rival a little more. But while some in the audience groaned, the litany of nasty questions ... helped to flesh out a long-simmering subtext to the Clinton-Obama battle: The Clinton campaign's insinuation that Obama is more vulnerable to GOP-style attacks on his patriotism."

-- Washington Post: Columnist Tom Shales says the debate "was another step downward for network news -- in particular ABC News, which hosted the debate from Philadelphia and whose usually dependable anchors, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, turned in shoddy, despicable performances."

-- New York Times: Columnist David Brooks disagrees with Shales: "Democrats ... are going to jump all over ABC for the choice of topics: too many gaffe questions, not enough policy questions. I understand the complaints, but I thought the questions were excellent. The journalist's job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that. The candidates each looked foolish at times, but that's their own fault."

-- Politico: "For reasons of financial necessity, personal preference and plain politics, John McCain is gearing up to run one of the least traditional presidential campaigns in recent history. The problem is that even prominent strategists within McCain's own party wonder if his unorthodox strategy will work."

Lawmakers: Protect Roadless Areas
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance announces that eight U.S. Senators and 87 members of the House of Representatives have sent letters urging Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne "to take immediate action to protect Utah's roadless areas from off-road vehicle damage and energy development. The letters to Sec. Kempthorne highlight Congress' ongoing interest in the future of eleven million acres of public lands on Utah's Colorado Plateau, and more specifically in the management of nearly three million acres that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has identified as having wilderness character" (see press release).

Sutherland Highlights 'Green' Issues
On Tuesday, April 22, the Sutherland Insitute will kick off "Earth Week 2008: The Future of Utah," a weeklong event that will feature national energy and climate experts discussing the effects "green" policies will have on the people of Utah. Says Sutherland Pres. Paul Mero: "These experts know the truth about man-made global warming, the benefits of nuclear energy, and the damage that can be done if environmental policies are implemented, especially for our low-income neighbors. While the national economy is entering a rough period, the last thing we need to do is increase the damage done by following the whims of pop-science." For more info, click here.

Lighter Side

“I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money.”

 —Authur Godfrey (Patriot Post)

Casual Friday

Utah Fishing Report

It's time to fish Lake Powell. Striper action is now excellent in the main channel near the dam, along sheer walls and in the backs of canyons. Largemouth bass are active and catchable as they nest in shallow areas, and smallmouth bass are coming on strong. The next few weeks will offer incredible fishing when the weather is warm and stable. Action will slow a bit when storms move through. For detailed information, read this excellent report by Wayne Gustaveson.

Our major streams continue to fish well. The Green, Provo, Weber, Ogden and others offer good midge and blue wing olive dry fly action most days, and good nymph fishing at other times. Cloudy days are best. Dams protect sections of those streams from runoff - they usually offer decent fishing right through the spring. Other stream sections may be high and muddy now as runoff intensifies.

Jordanelle Reservoir has fishable open water in some spots, but there is still considerable ice on the main lake. It should open up during the next week. Rainbows and perch will bite well as the ice comes off. Bass will become active when the water warms a bit. Read the full fishing report on RedRockAdventure.com.

Outdoors Report

-- Deseret News develops climbing skills through bouldering
-- Get kids outside in the Tribune
-- Ski resorts’ final days in the Deseret News
-- Tribune forecasts hunting permit outlook
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes

-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook  and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week

-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website

New Films

-- The Forbidden Kingdom: Tribune review
-- Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Tribune review
-- Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden: Tribune review

Concerts

-- Lake Bonneville Community Symphony and the Wasatch Master Chorale, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Tabernacle, Garland, free
-- USU Wind Ensemble and Joe Alessi, trombone, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Kent Concert Hall, USU, Logan, $5
-- Temple Square Chorale, Friday and Saturday, Salt Lake Tabernacle, free but tickets required
-- Utah Ballet, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also, Saturday, 2 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, U., $13
-- Erin Bode Group, jazz, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Grand Theatre, Salt Lake Community College South City Campus, 1575 S. State St., $25 (957-3322)
-- Ralph van der Beek, piano, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Browning Center, WSU, Ogden, free
-- USU Electric Guitar Ensemble, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Performance Hall, USU, Ogden, $5
-- Westminster College Chamber Singers, Saturday, 8 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College, $6
-- Nine Sinatra Songs, Ballet West, through April 26, Capitol Theatre
-- Madeleine Festival, Sundays through May 11, Cathedral of the Madeleine
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall

Theater

-- “The Eyes of Babylon” through April 19, Rose Wagner Theatre

-- “Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy” through April 19, Children’s Theatre & School of the Arts

-- “One Act Festival” through April 26, Empress Theatre
-- “The Seagull” through April 26, Pinnacle Acting Company
-- “Smokey Joe’s Café” through April 26, SCERA Center

-- “The Clean House” through April 27, Salt Lake Acting Company

-- “Broadway Kidz” through May 3, Draper Historic Theatre

-- “Pirates of Penzance” through May 3, Center Street Musical Theatre

-- “The Miracle Worker” through May 24, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Annie Get Your Gun” through May 31, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through June 6, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Wizard of Odd” through June 7, Desert Star Playhouse

Museum Exhibits

-- Teapots: Object to Subject Exhibition through May 25, Kimball Art Center, Park City

-- Masterworks of Victorian Art From the Collection of John H. Schaeffer Exhibition through August 18; Minerva Teichert:  Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art

-- Wayne Thiebaud: 70 Years of Painting Exhibition through July 27, Springville Museum of Art

Et Cetera

-- Salt Lake Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., downtown
-- Tulip Festival, through April 26, Thanksgiving Point