Get Out and Vote Today
For the first time in decades, Utah’s presidential nominating process is meaningful. In the past, nominees have almost always already been determined by the time Utah gets around to voting. So we ought to take advantage of this opportunity, do our duty, and vote in large numbers. See Tribune and Daily Herald and Standard Examiner editorials encouraging Utahns to vote.
Leadership That Delivers
At the recent Republican Party legislative breakfast, state GOP leaders rolled out their 2008 campaign theme, “Leadership That Delivers,” and cleverly handed out fortune cookies, each with evidence of how GOP leadership has benefited the state. Among the statements in the cookies: “Lowest Unemployment in the U.S.,” “Record Funding for Education & Teacher Pay,” “Best-Managed State Government in the U.S.,” “Record Funding for Transportation,” “Market-Based Healthcare Reform,” “Safe Communities,” and “Strongest Economy in the U.S.”
Today in Political History
Feb. 5, 1937: Not happy with Supreme Court opposition to some of his priorities that tended to stretch the Constitution a bit, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt proposes to “stack” the Court by adding 6 more justices. (Source: Perspicuity)
Feb. 5, 1974: Sworn in by Rep. Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neil, John Murtha becomes the first Vietnam War veteran elected to Congress. (NBC5)
Wise Words
"Let us have the courage to stop borrowing to meet continuing deficits. Stop the deficits."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt (American History)
Campaign Tip
The VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR can play a pivotal role in a campaign. He or she will try to involve others in the campaign. If he is cheerful, brings a friendly atmosphere to the office and provides interesting chores, the campaign will exude those same qualities. People will want to participate. Volunteers are giving of their time and effort without pay. And, while there is a dedicated core of friends, party activists and issue-oriented supporters, most volunteers join a campaign because it is “social” and it is “fun”. The Volunteer Coordinator must be well-organized and know what the highest campaign priorities are so volunteers can be used effectively. You know the campaign is not being well managed if a Volunteer Coordinator says, “There is nothing to do.” (Source: Political Resources)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Los Angeles Times: "In a dramatic day of politicking, former President Clinton made a series of contrite appearances before African American churches in Los Angeles while California First Lady Maria Shriver endorsed Sen. Barack Obama's historic quest for the White House."
-- City Journal: Columnist Fred Siegel say some of Obama's apparent "momentum derives from an extraordinary, if unspoken, mésalliance that has emerged in recent months between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats. Their hostility to the Clintons brings them together. In the words of liberal columnist Jonathan Chait, 'The Right was right about the Clintons.'"
-- Christian Science Monitor: Columnist Brett Grainger explains why Mike Huckabee "will perhaps be best remembered as the man who, however unintentionally, helped persuade evangelicals to vote a Democrat into the White House in 2008 -- and possibly in future races, as well."
-- The Hill: "President Bush on Monday unveiled his $3.1 trillion budget proposal and touted its focus on boosting defense funding while keeping discretionary spending down."
Blog Watch
-- Paul Rolly reports: "One of the Utah public servants who have a hand in disseminating, interpreting and enforcing Utah election laws may soon choose to be subject to them instead. Joseph Demma, Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert's chief of staff, confirmed today that he has been in discussions with Salt Lake County Republican officials about running for the Legislature against Democratic Rep. Roz McGee in Salt Lake City's District 28. Demma says its too early to make a firm decision, but he has expressed interest and had discussions about it. As the lieutenant governor's chief of staff, he often has been the point man in explaining election laws to the media and the public and was often quoted during last year's contentious referendum election repealing the Legislature's voucher bill. McGee is one of just 20 Democrats in the 75-member House of Representatives. But all six House members who represent Salt Lake City are Democrats."
Lighter Side
A man is sent to hell for his sins. While being processed, he passes a room where a well-known economist is having a conversation with a beautiful woman.
The man complains, “Why do I have to burn in hell for all eternity while that economist enjoys the company of a beautiful woman?”
An escorting demon jabs the man with his pitchfork and shouts, “Who are you to question that woman’s punishment?” (The Economist’s Joke Book, by Jeff Thredgold) |
