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Publisher's Note

Just when you’re getting used to receiving The Earlybird, we need to change the name. While we were aware that the Pentagon has a news compilation publication called the Early Bird, we recently learned that National Journal also has a daily e-mail news service called Earlybird and it has registered the name. We have not received any communication from anyone asking us not to use the name, but we want to be completely proper and not use a name someone else has trademarked. Therefore, we’re in the hunt for a new name. And, we pass along a lesson that we knew, but didn’t follow: Check out the trademark listings before naming a business, an organization or a publication.

Following are some names, some serious, some silly, that we’ve dreamed up. If you like any of them, or want to suggest something else, send us an e-mail at Earlybird@utahpolicy.com: The Worm, The Robin, The Sparrow, The Nighthawk, Morning View, Morning Focus, Sunrise, Daily Focus, Daylight, The Dawn, Morning Insight, This Morning, Morning News Link, The News Link, The Policy Link, The Political Link, Today’s Political Link, The Headliner, A.M. Alert, The Policy Alert, The Political Alert, The Policy Adviser, The Morning Alert, News Scoop, The Policy Scoop, The Overnighter, The Wakeup, Sun-Up, The Politico, The Tire Iron, The Cricket, The Policy Parrot, Policy Notes, The Policy Wonk, The Wonk.

Wednesday's Buzz

Conservation Measure on Ballot?

It appears Utahns will get to vote on a small tax increase to purchase critical conservation lands. Backers believe they have gathered enough signatures to place the $150 million bond proposal on the November ballot, the Deseret Morning News reports.

Van Dam’s Bike Ride: If He Doesn’t Win, at Least He Stays in Shape

I’ve heard some people joke about Paul Van Dam’s 500-mile “listening tour” bicycle ride across the state, but I think it’s a good campaign activity, especially for an underdog who is not very well known, and especially this early in the campaign season.

Every statewide candidate needs to get out in the rural areas, even though the bulk of the votes are along the Wasatch Front. A number of candidates have tried a variety of transportation methods to travel the state and attract attention. Wayne Owens won his first congressional campaign walking across the state. Some campaigns travel on a bus or motor home to make a splash in the communities they visit. A few have ridden horses on legs of their journey. Riding a bike isn’t terribly unique or creative, but it certainly gets more attention in the rural news media than driving a car. Van Dam, running against Sen. Bob Bennett, needs to hit the rural communities anyway, and he has plenty of time before the real election season kicks in, so why not bicycle across the state? Besides that, it’s a really cool tandem, recumbent bike that Van Dam shares with his wife, Mary Dawn.

—LaVarr Webb

Winning the Political Game:
Campaign Tip

A Million Little Things Add Up to Win

Political campaigns can be discouraging because a lot of campaign work is boring and tedious. Myriad details must be taken care of, and it’s easy to question whether doing all these little things is really very important or will make a difference in the campaign.

Candidates and campaign workers want to be out doing big, glamorous things, like engaging in high-profile debates, filming television spots, holding high-level strategy meetings and visiting editorial boards. But those things won’t win an election unless they are supported by a solid foundation that has been built through a lot of attention to detail—all the little, boring things that ultimately add up to success: developing lists, stuffing envelopes, printing and production, responding to calls, e-mails and letters, building a volunteer team, following up with donor prospects, recruiting and training grassroots workers, putting up lawn signs, building relationships, and so forth.

Political success usually results from a million little things coming together at the right time. A campaign is hour after excruciating hour of work and more work, with plenty of wondering if you’re making any headway, especially if your opponent is getting more headlines. But if you’re working smart, getting the fundamentals done right, then it will all culminate in a big win at the end.

The Earlybird is a service of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Today's Headlines

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Earlybird@UtahPolicy.com

- 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, 145 W. 3960 N., 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 7-8: Innovations in Education Conference—8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastmont Middle School, 10100 South 1300 East, Sandy. $30 registration, including 2 box lunches and breaks. www.iie-edu.org.
- June 10: Fundraiser for Salt Lake County Council candidate Jenny Wilson, 7-9 a.m., Alta Club, 100 East South Temple. $100 individual, $250 business, $500 sponsorship. RSVP to lashman@xmission.com or 801-201-8442.
- 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.