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Thursday Buzz

News Highlights

As might have been expected, given the bad blood between Tim Bridgewater and John Swallow, the gloves have come off in 2nd District race with each candidate accusing the other of negative campaigning. In his story on the subject, Bob Bernick of the Deseret Morning News also reports that former candidate David Wilde, who was eliminated at the convention, has endorsed Bridgewater. The biggest beneficiary in this mudbath might just be Democrat Jim Matheson. The Tribune (Nicole Warburton) publishes in-depth profiles on Chris Cannon and Matt Throckmorton in the 3rd District race.

Looking for candidate information?

For those who want to study candidate backgrounds and positions on issues before the June 22 primary election, here's where to look:

- VoteUtah, KUED's Utah Election Information
- The Utah Foundation's Election Web site, focused mostly on the gubernatorial campaign.
- Deseret Morning News election section with candidate profiles and positions on issues
- The Salt Lake Tribune's politics section with the latest political stories
- Project Vote Smart
- League of Women Voters of Utah
- Candidate Web sites on Utah Policy.com (Click on name of candidate).

Approval Ratings

As might be expected, Utah's top Republican officials enjoy high approval ratings among likely Republican primary voters, according to a Dan Jones & Associates survey commissioned by The Exoro Group. While approval rating for the three congressmen hover in the 60s, as reported earlier, Gov. Olene Walker enjoys an 81 percent approval rating with 14 percent disapproving; Sen. Bob Bennett, 79 percent approval with 12 percent disapproval; and Sen. Orrin Hatch, 81 percent approval with 16 percent disapproval. Bennett's numbers show he is in good shape for his re-election this year. He has the lowest disapproval rating. President George Bush tops them all, with 85 percent approval and 14 percent disapproval. The survey was concluded June 2 with a sample of 906 likely Republican Primary Election voters.

Happily Married

Congrats to Exoro colleague Ted Wilson and Tribune columnist Holly Mullen, who tied the knot on Monday. Ted has been a happy man the last several months as he has contemplated this event. Mullen talks about the union in an understated way in her column today.

Political Trivia

Agenda Utah is a service of Utah Policy.com Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead

Please send your comments and suggestions to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com.

Thursday
June 17, 2004

Today's Headlines

KSL
- Editorial: Ban legislative gifts

St. George Spectrum
- Gloves are off in Dist. 2 race

Daily Herald
- Editorial: Outside campaign donations raises questions

Standard-Examiner
- Mayor to COG: Rally for RAP tax
- Refurbished Kaysville apartments lauded by Walker
- Roy backs out of deal with UTOPIA

Deseret Morning News
- New tax system may be delayed
- Opinion split on district split
- Counties trying to clear the air
- Korologos hearing turns into a 'roast'
- State cool to raising satellite TV taxes
- Plate issue spurs groans
- Fax claiming 'ELF' behind lumberyard fire probed
- Mediator seeking new challenge
- Diversity key to revitalized Salt Lake, mayor says
- Lindon is still tuned in to UTOPIA
- GOP primary election races
- Payson out of UTOPIA
- Lawmakers stymied by porn spam
- Demo not discouraged by fund efforts
- Voters to decide on recreation site
- 2nd District GOP ads spotlight a bitter feud
- Editorial: SUWA ruling appropriate

Salt Lake Tribune
- Dugway tests expanded quietly
- Incumbent says critics are missing the point
- Contender insists his advantage is in clarity
- Mayor concerned over LDS Church's downtown plans
- Mullen: Newlyweds: Mullen and Ted Wilson
- Latino coalition raps Throckmorton; he denies bias
- Sierra Club says Bush's plan to cut funds for transit will hurt Utah
- San Juan County contests park road closure
- Special session planned to revamp sales-tax bill
- Schools seek funds to cut truancy
- Welfare effort is on hold
- Mayors brainstorm dirty-air issues
- Provo council tells mayor to make parade rules

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- June 19: Central Committee Meeting, Salt Lake County Republican Party, Hillcrest High School Auditorium. Agenda Highlight: selection of nominee for County Auditor and of interim County Auditor. Registration 8 am, meeting 9 am.
- June 19: Utah County Meet the Candidates, 12-4 pm, Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St, Provo.
- June 19:  Fundraiser for Peter Corroon, Democratic county mayor candidate, Saturday, 5-8:30 p.m.; Buckaroo Bob’s Wild West Bar-B-Q, 3641 S. Christine St. Hosts: Bob & Nicole Adams; $30 contribution per person; RSVP 328-2208.
- June 21: Gubernatorial Debate: KUED Channel 7, Live at 9:00 pm.
- June 22: Utah Primary Election, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- June 22: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- June 24: Legislative Golf Tournament, Thanksgiving Point. 533-9777.
- June 26: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- June 26: "Meet and Greet" Green Party candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor, Diana Lee Hirschi, 11 am at The One World Café, 41 S. 300 E. Salt Lake City.
- June 27: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- July 7: Utah Stonewall Democrats, 5:30 pm, GLBT Community Center Multi-purpose Room, 359 North 300 West, SLC.
- July 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures, Salt Lake City.

See the entire calendar.