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Thursday's Buzz

Endorsement Wars

The Deseret Morning News reports that Tim Bridgewater has won a nice endorsement from House Speaker Marty Stephens, while Nolan Karras cozies up to popular Gov. Olene Walker, without quite getting her endorsement, as Karras touts his education plan. Check out the stories in the headline links to the right.

Summer Political Doldrums

Coming Despite the cool weather, the Memorial Day Weekend just ahead kicks off the traditional start of summer. Public schools will soon close and families will be heading off for vacations. This means political candidates will have a harder time attracting the attention of voters.

Given the general summertime lack of interest in politics, June 22 isn’t the greatest time to hold an important primary election. But it’s what we have, and candidates must deal with it. A major mistake some candidates make is assuming that everyone cares about the election. The reality is that only around 10 percent of all Utahns will vote in the primary. And a candidate only needs 50%, plus 1, of those to win. So candidates must find those who really are interested in the election and deliver frequent and effective messages to that narrow and limited group. Nothing replaces personal contact by neighbors, community leaders, and other trustworthy surrogates.

Given the short primary campaign period, the lack of interest by voters, and the disparity in fundraising capability, Jon Huntsman, Jr., starts with a significant advantage over Nolan Karras in the gubernatorial race. Huntsman enjoys instant credibility and high name identification with voters. To catch up, Karras will have to mobilize coalitions and organize like crazy over the next few weeks, then in the last week and a half before the election (when people start paying attention) focus all his resources on effective communications with the people who really will vote.

—LaVarr Webb

Winning the Political Game:
Communications Tip

The Seven Compelling Cs

Dealing with the news media is one of the most difficult, interesting, important and scary things that public officials do. Earlybird will publish numerous tips in the future on how to effectively interact with reporters and the news media. We’ll cover both pro-active and defensive media strategies.

Why the news media cover some things and not others is often a mystery to public officials. While a lot of nuances exist here, there are some events and issues that almost always result in coverage. In his book “How To Speak TV, Print & Radio,” Clarence Jones lists the Seven Compelling Cs—categories of news stories that are sure to get covered:

Thursday, May 27, 2004

Today's Headlines

New York Times
- As fire season approaches, dread grows in the West
- Add 'Cut' and 'Bleep' to a DVD's options

Davis County Clipper
- Wal-Mart: 'Treat us just like any other'
- RAP tax won’t fly without promotion
- Defense bill would save local jobs
- Editorial: Spirit of cooperation could be harbinger of the future

St. George Spectrum
- Matheson to host WWII Memorial dedication
- Editorial: Cedar City makes smart budget moves

Daily Herald
- Editorial: Abortion in cases of fetal deformity?

Standard-Examiner
- Davis County requires fees in kind from Layton
- RAP tax not to Clinton's tastes
- GOP rivals vow to put schools first

Deseret Morning News
- Utah farmers are told to use water or lose it
- Curtis defends mileage 'error'
- 'Double-dipping' on Hill?
- Karras is courting education votes
- Aquarium owner makes push for a bond vote
- Settle tablets lawsuit, city told
- Stephens is endorsing Bridgewater in the 2nd District
- Utah group courts Air Force brass
- S.L. region of DCFS finally passes federal review
- Utah energy users say utility regulation is lax
- Editorial: Software debacle at HAFB

Salt Lake Tribune
- S.L. area of DCFS hits mark
- Abortion curbs might be eased
- Curtis apologizes for 'oversight'
- Mullen: When will politicians get it?
- $1.5M revives fallout study
- SLC says bars, not schools, belong downtown
- Yocom's impartiality questioned in vehicle-misuse probe
- Editorial: UTOPIA in phases

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Earlybird@UtahPolicy.com

May 27: Kitchen Table Talk with Nolan Karras, 6 pm at Murray City Park Pavilion #5 (Take Vine Street to the 330 East park entrance).
May 27: Kitchen Table Talk with Enid Greene, 6 pm at 949 S. Wisperwood Cove in Kaysville, Hosted by Micol Karras.
May 30: Howard Dean fundraiser for Peter Corroon, Democratic candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor—donuts 10:00 - 11:00 am, Millcreek Coffee Roasters, 657 South Main, SLC, $35; brunch buffet 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Anderson Commons, 734 East 200 South, SLC, $200. 801-328-2208 or www.VoteCorroon.com.
May 30: Iron County Tax Freedom Day Governors Forum—6:00 pm, Sharwan Smith Center Ballroom, SUU, Cedar City.
June 1: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting—7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
June 2: Utah Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting, 5:30 pm GLBT Center 355 N. 300 W. (first Wednesday of every month).
June 2: Kitchen Table Talk with Nolan Karras, 8 pm at the Osmonds' Home 8908 Sunridge Drive in Sandy, Hosted by Dr. Joseph and Anne-Marie Osmond & Dr. Harold and Ranae Olafsson.
June 3: GOP Primary Debate (gubernatorial and congressional), 6:30 pm at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 S. in Salt Lake City. Questions for candidates may be submitted to PrimaryDebate@aol.com. Hosted by John D. Jacob, moderated by County Recorder Gary W. Ott.
June 3: Salt Lake County GOP Gubernatorial Debate, 5:30 pm at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center 138 W. 300 S. Salt Lake City.
June 3: Kitchen Table Talk with Enid Greene, 6 pm at Greg & Lynell King's Home 45 W. 2960 N. in Provo.
June 3: Washington County Republican Women meeting and luncheon—11:30 am to 1:00 pm RSVP 435-688-0777
June 3: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting—6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
June 4: Debate between John Huntsman Jr. and Nolan Karras, Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce and Daily Herald, First Friday Forum lunch—noon at the Provo Marriott Hotel . Lunch reservations, 379-2555; debate questions, Michael Mower 852-6103.
June 4: Davis County Republican Women Gubernatorial Debate, 6 pm at West Point Junior High School.
June 6: Gubernatorial Debate: On the Record with Chris Vanocur—KTVX Channel 4, 9:30 am, Contact Chris Vanocur, (801) 975-4444.
June 10, 11: Government Affairs Advisory Committee of the Salt Lake Chamber—11am, Eccles Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber.
June 12: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast—8:30 am to 10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
June 13: Gubernatorial Debate: Take Two with Rod Decker—Live on KUTV Channel 2 at 5:30 pm, Contact Rod Decker, (801) 973-3000.
June 14: Lt. Governor Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452
June 15: Gubernatorial Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452.
June 16: Ogden Rotary Gubernatorial Debate, noon at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.
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 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 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures— Salt Lake City.

See the entire calendar.