Primary Election Surprises

Wow. What a fascinating primary election. The margins of victory by Jason Chaffetz and Richard Ellis are truly surprising. The races weren’t even close. However, I wouldn’t read too much into the victories as far as trends and patterns go, and what it means for the general election. Voters are clearly restless, but the mood out there is rather unpredictable. Incumbents certainly ought not to take anything for granted, but I’d be wary about seeing any monster waves sweeping the electoral landscape. 

At first glance, I would say primary results are due more to local race factors than any overriding trends and patterns. Before anyone extrapolates primary results into the general election I would point out that this was a small number of races with a tiny turnout. Hard work and the basics of campaigning are still important factors.

Investing in Cities

Report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors

By Ben McAdams, Governmental Affairs Advisor to Mayor Ralph Becker

Mayors and representatives of America’s cities concluded yesterday their semi-annual meeting after four days of workshops on topics including the impact of the mortgage crisis on the health of cities, building a workforce for the digital age and urban policies that encourage development of cities that are walkable, that take advantage of connections to mass transit and are environmentally sustainable. 

The U.S. Conference of Mayors convention, held in January and June each year, is an opportunity for political leaders and policy-makers to share best practices, discuss challenges shared by their cities and coordinate their position on federal policies that affect their cities.

One of the highlights of this year’s convention for me, attending as a representative of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, was a keynote address on Saturday afternoon by U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama.  In his address Obama laid out his plan for working directly with cities and local elected officials to form a grassroots partnership to address the challenges facing our country.  “Cities are the solution to our challenges, not the problem,” Obama stated at the culmination of his remarks, a phrase frequently repeated during the remaining days of the convention.

Obama’s speech was more than just a pep talk to a generally friendly audience as evidenced by an 11-page document detailing specific proposals supporting cities that an Obama administration would implement. For example, in an initiative seemingly modeled after Utah’s visionary USTAR initiative, Obama proposed the creation of a network of public-private business incubators, working with local universities and private sector businesses to help entrepreneurs create start-up companies, design business plans, identify and address problems affecting small businesses and give advice on a wide range of business practices.  This initiative would provide new resources for Utah entrepreneurs to tap as we seek to continue to foster the hard-working and innovative spirit already present in our state.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity to forge partnerships with cities around the country and with other Utah cities (the mayors of Murray and St. George were also at the convention with sleeves rolled up and pens in hand to take notes and offer advice of their own).

Huntsman Seminar This Week

The Huntsman Seminar on Constitutional Government for Teachers, began this week and will feature numerous elected and appointed officials, campaign experts, news reporters and other political professional. Hosted by the Hinckley Institute of Politics, the Huntsman seminar runs through Friday and allows a few dozen school teachers to dive deeply into politics in daily seminars.

Among those lecturing or making presentations are pollster Dan Jones, Sen. Bob Bennett, former Congressman Jim Hansen, journalists Lisa Riley Roche, Ken Verdoia and Richard Piatt; SL County Mayor Peter Corroon, Chief Justice Christine Durham, Snow College Pres. Michael Benson, political party chairs Wayne Holland and Stan Lockhart, legislators Karen Morgan, Ross Romero, Sheryl Allen, Pat Jones, John Valentine and Curt Bramble; Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, Gov. Jon Huntsman, First Lady Mary Kay Huntsman, law professor Scott Matheson , Jr., lobbyists Doug Foxley, Bill Crim, and Jennifer Cannaday; campaign experts Ted Wilson and Dave Hansen, and last (and probably least) Pignanelli & Webb. See the full schedule. 

Young Democrats Hold BBQ

The Young Democrats of Utah (YDU) and Utah for Obama are hosting a summer BBQ this Saturday, June 28, 4-8 p.m., at Bicentennial Park, 530 E. 8680 S., in Sandy.  "Sandy is the hot bed for 2008 Utah elections," said Matt Lyon, President of YDU, in a press release. "Our BBQ is aimed to excite young people about local politics and help make sure the area swings for Democratic candidates in November." 

Lyon noted that in 2006, races in Legislative Districts 45 and 49, were won and lost by 20 votes or less. "Young people make up 30% - 40% of the legislative districts surrounding Bicentennial Park, said the press release. “Getting these voters involved with local campaigns is key to Democrats winning these elections."  The BBQ will feature statements from local candidates, a native American peace ceremony, and local Democratic leaders. There is no cost. For more info, visit www.youngdemsofutah.org or contact Matt Lyon, matt@youngdemsofutah.org, 801.597.8888

Today in Political History

June 25, 1788:  Virginia ratifies the U.S. Constitution.

June 25, 1868:  Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are readmitted to the Union.

June 25, 1876:  Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry are wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana. (Source:  NY Times) 

Wise Words

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

-- Thomas Jefferson  (Source:  Good Quotes) 

Campaign Tip

Make a Good Decision to Run or Not

Here are a few questions to consider: Can you win?  Can you raise enough money?  Is this the year?  Is the incumbent or opponent vulnerable?  Can you devote sufficient time to do this?  Analyze previous voting patterns.  Does the district vote Republican or Democrat?  Is there a large swing vote in the district?  How many votes will you need to win?

Depending on the size of your race you may want to consider doing a poll, which can tell you what issues are hot in the minds of the voters, your opponent’s biggest liability for your opponent, your potential negatives, and what voters you may be able to swing into your camp.

Time is the most valuable resource in a campaign.  Don’t waste too much of it making your decision to get in or stay out.  Candidates who wait too long to enter a race can often jeopardize valuable early support.  However, making the final decision to run does not mean you have to announce immediately.  It only means you need to get organized.  (Source:  Complete Campaigns) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- The Independent: "A foreign policy adviser to John McCain is under pressure to quit after he suggested that a terror attack on the US between now and the presidential election would translate into a 'big advantage' for the Republican nominee."

-- TIME: Abortion rights activists once again face in McCain a GOP nominee "who supports abortion restrictions yet is widely viewed as moderate and unthreatening to pro-choice voters. Eight years ago, it was George W. Bush who convinced pro-choice Republican and independent women that he was a safe bet ...."

-- ABC News: "Barack Obama says his Christian faith will help him reach white evangelicals who traditionally vote Republican but some religious leaders are resisting the call. 'I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused ideology,' Dr. James Dobson, leader of the Christian group Focus on the Family said Tuesday in his daily radio show."

-- Fortune goes behind the scenes to show how Obama "plans to make the U.S. a land of opportunity once again."

Blog Watch

-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Lyle Hillyard posts a lengthy response to this Bob Bernick column in which Bernick criticizes Hillyard and other "GOP legislative bosses" for releasing "a preliminary year-end fiscal analysis not through any official state action but through the Senate Republicans' own partisan Web site."

Lighter Side

Favorite Headlines

(From James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com)

-- PETA Won't Like This: "Obama Campaign Drops Seal on Podium"--headline, Examiner.com, June 23

-- So Much for Shattering the Glass Ceiling: "Smithfield Chooses Manly CEO"--headline, Prepared Foods, June 23

-- Wouldn't You?: "Police Say DUI Suspect Went to Bar Instead of Jail"--headline, Associated Press, June 24

-- If You Call This Living: "Sworn to Virginity and Living as Men in Albania"--headline, New York Times (Paris edition), June 23

-- News You Can Use: "When Traveling Abroad, Avoid Social Blunders"--headline, Chicago Tribune, June 22
-- Bottom Story of the Day: "Chicopee Man Wins Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship"--headline, Boston Herald, June 24