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Wednesday Buzz

News Highlights

The Deseret Morning News has published results of a new survey that shows Republicans well ahead in all the major races except the 2 nd Congressional District where Jim Matheson is beating John Swallow 58-29 percent. The News will publish results of the gubernatorial contest Thursday, but KSL TV revealed the gubernatorial numbers in a story Tuesday night. The 920-sample Dan Jones & Associates survey has the contest at 51-38 percent, with Jon Huntsman, Jr., well ahead, but Scott Matheson, Jr., within reasonable striking distance.

Fundraisers

Two GOP heavy hitters are coming through Utah for fundraising events. Vice President Richard Cheney is scheduled to make an appearance July 28 to raise funds and help shore up John Swallow's campaign against Jim Matheson. Before that, White House Chief of Staff and former Transportation Secretary Andrew Card is scheduled for a presidential fundraiser on July 22. Beyond the dates, details are sketchy at this time.

Presidential Campaign Watch

Charlie Cook, a highly objective political analyst who reviews all the survey research being done around the country, believes John Kerry is in better shape right now than George Bush to win the election. In his latest National Journal column, Cook says each candidate will get a bounce from their national convention, and accurate measurements of where they stand won't be seen until mid-September. But he noted that few incumbents have recovered from such low polling numbers as Bush has right now. He also said the possibility of Bush dropping Cheney in favor of another running mate is increasing.

Campaign Issues Brief

Utah Priorities, a project of the Utah Foundation, www.utahfoundation.org, has issued another political research brief, this one on Utah 's health condition. The series of briefs are designed to highlight major issues in Utah so that citizens can learn about them and encourage candidates to focus on them and outline how they will deal with them if elected.

Alexander Newsletter

Rep. Jeff Alexander, a possible candidate for House Speaker this fall, has written a very interesting newsletter about the need for businesses to embrace change. Alexander produces and mails out a quarterly newsletter and calendar to promote his high-tech printing business located in Lindon. You can get on his mailing list by calling 801.852.2258, or e-mail eprint@alexanders.com. His Web site is www.alexanders.com.

- LaVarr Webb

Success Tip:
Make 10 Phone Calls a Day


In my previous days as a newspaper reporter I used a simple trick to stay up to speed on what was happening on my beat: I tried to consistently make 10 phone calls a day to a variety of sources. When I supervised young reporters and they asked where to find information for a story, I told them to make 10 phone calls.

The Internet is terrific for many things, but if you want to stay in touch; if you want to network; if you want to know what's happening, make 10 phone calls a day. You can learn almost anything if you make 10 phone calls. If you need information; if you need to find the right person to solve a problem; if you're trying to sell something – make 10 telephone calls. It's amazing what you can learn, what problems you can deal with, if you make 10 phone calls. You might not get anywhere on the first few calls. But shortly someone will have heard or been aware of something, and will suggest you call so-and-so. One call leads to another and, almost certainly, by the 10 th call you'll have the information you need.

Agenda Utah is a service of
Utah Policy.com

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

Wednesday
July 14, 2004

Today's Headlines

Associated Press
- Voting machine critics rally across U.S.

Rocky Mountain News
- Editorial: Roadless reversal victory for federalism

Washington Post
- Gay marriage ban headed for Senate defeat

National Review Online
- Kerry's contradictions

Deseret Morning News
- Big leads in 4 Utah races
- Sentencing angst deepens
- Hispanics cheer 'DREAM'
- Backers short on votes for ban on gay marriage
- Speeds get green light
- County steps toward imposing a road tax
- New voting machines to help out disabled
- Delay sought on voting machines
- Snail may impede timber sales
- Davis OKs accord on rec center vote
- Lee Davidson: Today's v.p. hopeful tomorrow's trivia question
- John Hughes: War and economy will decide election

Salt Lake Tribune
- E-voting backup is demanded
- Utah job growth fastest in 3 years
- Hatch exploring a 'fix' for sentencing turmoil
- Bishop downplays flip-flop on vote to modify Patriot Act
- Rolly & Wells: Naughty words, Utah style
- Yocom: No crimes in truck buys
- Push on to get tax put on ballot
- South Salt Lake vetoes likely to stand
- Editorial: Two left feet

Standard-Examiner
- Rec building voting to cost $50,000
- Weber's revenue up since last year
- Kaysville hires adviser for bond election
- Lean budget presented for growth-poor Syracuse

* Note: Links to articles in The Salt Lake Tribune temporarily are not available in our email newsletter as the Tribune completes its move to a new Web server. The links do work on our home page, www.UtahPolicy.com, where you can always find the current issue of Agenda Utah. The Tribune anticipates that things will be back to normal within a few days.
Political Calendar


Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- July 15: The Sutherland Tran "scend Series, "Civility, Integrity, and Politics: Being an Authentic Citizen," Sutherland CLP Conference Room, Sixth Floor Social Hall Plaza 150 East Social Hall Avenue, SLC. 801-355-1272 or si@sutherlandinstitute.org.
- July 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures, Salt Lake City.
- July 21: Scott Matheson fundraiser, noon, Alta Club. Honor Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. $100 suggested contribution, RSVP 485-6890 or scott@mathesonforgovernor.com.
- August 3: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 South State Street, SLC.
- August 5: Professional Republican Women (PRW) and Utah Federation of Republican Women half-day Campaign School. Keynote speaker Fred Lampropolous. Noon to 5 p.m. at Merit Medical, 1660 W. Merit Parkway (9800 S.), South Jordan. Cost $45, Contact PRW 801-270-0802.
- August 5: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, SLC. Contact Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- August 14: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30-10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- August 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East just past 2100 South, SLC. Contact 486-2558.


- See the entire calendar